1. General Care & Vacuuming

Regular vacuuming is the single most important thing you can do to extend your rug's life. Follow these frequency guidelines:

Additional care tips:

• Rotate your rug 180° every 6–12 months to ensure even wear, especially in directional light
• Protect your rug from prolonged direct sunlight, which fades dyes over time
• Use a non-slip rug pad to reduce wear from friction and movement
• Trim surface sprouts with scissors rather than pulling — pulling can unravel fibers

2. How to Remove Stains

Act fast — the sooner you treat a spill, the easier it is to remove. Never rub a stain; always blot.

3. Machine Washing a Rug

Many RugKnots rugs — particularly our washable rug collection — are machine washable. Before washing, always check your product listing for care label instructions.

Machine wash guidelines:

• Use cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild, bleach-free liquid detergent
• Only wash rugs that fit comfortably in your machine (3.8+ cubic foot capacity handles most rugs up to 6–8 feet)
• Do not overload the machine
• Tumble dry on low heat, or hang dry flat outdoors
• Never use high heat — it can shrink fibers and damage backing

Rugs that should NOT be machine washed:

• Hand-knotted, antique, or Persian rugs
• Wool (unless specifically labeled machine-safe)
• Silk or viscose/bamboo silk rugs
• Jute, sisal, or any rug with a natural fiber backing

4. Removing Creases, Bunching & Curled Corners

New rugs often arrive with creases or rolled edges from packaging — this is completely normal. Most will flatten naturally within 2–3 weeks of regular use. To speed up the process:

• 1
  Back Rolling

  Unroll the rug and re-roll it in the opposite direction with the backing facing outward. Leave it rolled this way for 24–48 hours, then lay it flat.

• 2
  Heavy Objects

  Place heavy furniture or weighted objects on the affected areas for 1–2 days. For curled corners, fold them back in the opposite direction and place a heavy object on top overnight.

• 3
  Heat (Last Resort)

  On a dry, sunny day, lay the rug face-up on a clean concrete surface and allow it to absorb natural heat for up to 2 hours. Alternatively, use a hair dryer on medium heat held 8–12 inches from the rug surface, moving constantly. Never apply direct or sustained heat to synthetic backings.

5. Preventing & Removing Furniture Dents

Heavy furniture can compress rug fibers over time. Here's how to prevent and fix indentations:

Prevention:

• Use furniture coasters or cups under chair and sofa legs to distribute weight
• Shift your furniture position a few inches every few months

Removing existing dents:

• Place ice cubes directly on the indentation and let them melt completely — the moisture causes fibers to swell back into shape
• Once dry, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently lift the fibers, then vacuum
• For deep dents, a brief pass with a steam iron held several inches above (never touching) the rug can help lift the pile

6. Care by Rug Material

Different rug fibers require different approaches. Use this quick-reference guide:

7. Long-Term Rug Storage

If storing a rug seasonally, follow these steps to prevent damage from pests, moisture, and compression:

• 1
  Clean the rug thoroughly before storage

  Moths and insects are attracted to soiled fibers. Make sure the rug is completely clean and dry before storing.

• 2
  Roll, never fold

  Roll the rug around a clean cardboard or PVC tube with the pile facing inward. Folding creates permanent creases and can crack the backing.

• 3
  Wrap in breathable material

  Use acid-free paper or breathable fabric — not plastic, which traps moisture and causes mildew.

• 4
  Store in a cool, dry, dark location

  Check stored rugs every few months for signs of moisture or pest activity.