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Useful Rug Info

We love educating people about rugs and this is where we answer all your pressing questions!

Life happens—wine spills, pet accidents, food messes, and everything in between. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying a beautiful rug in your home or office.

Whether your rug is made from durable wool or delicate art silk (viscose, bamboo silk, or Tencel), here's everything you need to know to keep it looking its best.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE 

Shedding:
Shedding is normal for new rugs and reduces over time with regular use and vacuuming. 

Sprouting:
If fibres pop up (common in hand-spun rugs), trim them to the rug's pile height—never pull!

Vacuuming:
Vacuum weekly to keep your rug fresh. Use a vacuum without a rotating bristle brush and always vacuum along the rug's nap or width. Avoid using high suction on delicate rugs like art silk.

Mud:
Allow mud to dry completely, then gently brush or vacuum off the dirt.

Washing:

  • Avoid dry cleaning solvents or steam cleaning—they can damage rug fibres and leave permanent stains.
  • For professional cleaning, see the recommended laundries below.

  • Wash rugs every couple of years, but avoid frequent washing of bamboo silk, viscose, or art silk rugs to preserve texture and colour.
      

CARING FOR ART SILK RUGS (BAMBOO SILK, VISCOSE, TENCEL)

Art silk rugs are cherished for their luxurious sheen but are more delicate than other materials. Here’s why:

Moisture Sensitivity: 
Fibres are highly absorbent, prone to water damage, shrinking, and yellowing.

Stains:
Liquids, oils, and pigments absorb quickly into fibres, making spills harder to clean, this includes water spills.

To protect your art silk rug:

  • Place it in low-traffic areas, like bedrooms or formal living spaces.

  • Avoid prolonged exposure to water or liquids.

  • Apply professional stain-resistant treatments like Fibre ProTector for added peace of mind.
       

CLEANING SPILLS

General Tips for All Rugs

  1. Act Quickly: Blot—don’t rub—to soak up as much liquid as possible using clean, absorbent towels.

  2. Dry Thoroughly: Place a heavy object over towels to draw out moisture, or use a fan on a cool setting to prevent stains and odours.

  3. Avoid Heat: Heat can cause discolouration or damage, especially in art silk rugs.

Food or Oil Spills

  1. Remove solids gently with a spoon—don’t press them into the fibres.

  2. Use soda water and dab the stain gently with a clean cloth.If your food or oil spill has some colour to it, you can mix a drop of liquid detergent (e.g., Morning Fresh) with the soda water to help lift the stain to the surface and blot it off with a clean cloth or paper towel.

  3. For stubborn stains, contact a professional rug cleaner.

Red Wine Spills

Non-Art Silk Rugs:

    1. Blot the spill.

    2. Use diluted white vinegar, soda water, OR white wine (but this is sacrilegious). Blot and dry thoroughly.

    3. Avoid using salt—it bleaches dyes.

Art Silk Rugs:

    1. Blot immediately with a clean towel.

    2. Mix a solution of 1 tsp white vinegar and 3 tsp lukewarm water. Apply sparingly with a spoon or eye dropper.

    3. Blot again, then sponge lightly with a clean cloth. Ensure the rug dries completely using a fan.

    4. Where you can, flip the rug over and try and absorb the moisture through the back of the rug - with a fan and/or with your clean cloth/sponge. This will bring any potential moisture stain towards the back of the rug, making it less noticeable from the front.
          

STAIN RESISTENCE TREATENT
Protect your rug with Fibre ProTector, a professional treatment that safeguards against:

  • Stains

  • Mold

  • Wear and sun fading

This treatment is safe for all rugs, including art silk, and won’t change the rug's texture or colour. Contact Premium Service Protection to learn more or book a treatment.

NOTE: from our experience, no treatment, including Fibre ProTector, is “fool-proof”. This treatment does not ward off ordinary wear and tear, discolouration from high levels of foot traffic or general dulling and getting dirty over time. We find that it works best to buy you a little bit of time in case of spill accidents only, it will not make your rug water-proof or totally stain-resistant. 

     
PROFESSIONAL RUG WASH/LAUNDRIES
If you're unsure about cleaning your rug or dealing with a stubborn stain, contact one of these recommended rug laundries:

Victoria
Melbourne Rug Wash (All rugs except art silk)
31 Trade Pl, Coburg North VIC 3058
Ph: (03) 9388 9666 | Website

Jumbuck Cleaning & Restoration (All rugs)
Factory 7/157-161 Beresford Rd, Lilydale VIC 3140
Ph: 1800 835 204 | Website

Able Carpet Care (All rugs & Fibre ProTector)
Unit 5/6 Coora Rd, Oakleigh South VIC 3166
Ph: (03) 9562 7565

New South Wales
Devine Rug Care
17 Mitchell Rd, Brookvale NSW 2100
Ph: (02) 9982 1000 | Website

Western Australia (Perth)
Fresh Aire Carpet Cleaning
20 Pembury Rd, Thornlie WA 6108
Ph: (08) 9493 3880 | Website

 

When in doubt, always consult a professional with experience in your rug type to ensure it remains beautiful for years to come.