The care of wool rugs
These are questions you almost always ask us when your heart is about to fall for one of our traditional Moroccan or Moldovan rugs.
Kilim care versus Beniouarain care
Let's be honest, a long-haired, all-white Beniouarain requires more care and attention than a Moldavian rose Kilim woven from boiled wool in variegated colors.
Vacuum your carpet or spread it out to beat it?
I often hear that rugs are dust traps. While it's true I can't imagine someone from Benin or Azilal in an operating room or dental office, that doesn't mean rugs are breeding grounds for dust, disease, and nasty dust mites. Above all, rugs have this advantage over carpeting: they can be moved and even stretched vertically. Vacuuming a rug is also always possible and common. You just need to avoid setting the vacuum to maximum power if it's a long-pile wool rug. Ideally, you should be able to stretch your rug vertically outdoors. But not everyone has the space for that. You should also avoid doing this if you live in a city center. The air can quickly become laden with particles from tire wear or exhaust fumes.
In any case, know that vacuuming your carpet at least once a week is a habit to get into that very effectively prevents the accumulation of dust.
A tip from the mountain people of the Atlas Mountains or elsewhere:
If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains or simply in the countryside on a snowy day, the best thing to do is spread your rugs upside down on the freshly fallen snow for a few hours. The result is amazing!
Carpets and pets
Dogs and cats love our rugs . Sometimes a little too much, and they might have an accident. Remember that wool is nothing more than sheep's wool. A sheep that's been in water is very clean! It's much the same for a wool rug. In 99% of cases, sparkling water is perfect for cleaning urine from a rug. You have to act as quickly as possible and avoid letting the urine dry because urea has a slow chemical action that can indeed permanently stain the fibers. But the good news is that if you rinse thoroughly and quickly with sparkling water, you'll easily solve the problem. Obviously, you should blot up as much as possible and let it dry. And, ABOVE ALL, don't blot with a colored cloth that could transfer color to the rug!
Steam cleaning a carpet
It's possible, and it generally works very well. However, be careful. Some new white Beniouara rugs with a diamond pattern may not withstand it well. The natural dyes used can sometimes transfer onto the white. Steam cleaning is done vertically on a rug laid flat. Sometimes it can remove a stain or stop mold by killing germs and fungi. Dust mites are also not resistant. But it requires space and it's not a miracle solution for all types of dirt.
Grandma's remedies for cleaning a carpet
Beware of old wives' tales found on the internet! Bicarbonate, baking soda and other white vinegar, soda or even diluted bleach are products that are certainly useful for household maintenance but have real chemical properties and whose "cleaning" effects are often irreversible.
Soapy water or Marseille soap can be helpful, but I always advise using them sparingly and with caution. An antique oriental rug is not treated the same way as a synthetic carpet!
What not to do if you stain your carpet
- Waiting too long
- Rushing to the internet and following the first piece of advice that comes along
- Using ammonia or any other chemical with irreversible effects.
- Pour in some dishwashing liquid.
Most tasks can be eliminated if you act quickly. But that doesn't mean you should panic. Use common sense. Be careful on the internet. The articles you read aren't necessarily meant to help you. They mainly want to lure you to their sites and rank high in those darn search engines! Call us if you have any doubts! If an idea seems bad, it might be because it is...
Carpet cleaning specialist
In all major French cities, there are dry cleaners specializing in carpets. Of course, it can be a significant expense, and the logistics aren't always straightforward. But as with anything, using a professional is the best way to avoid making a big mistake.
Carpets and bad smells
Sometimes rugs have an odor. Remember that wool is animal hair! If your cat or dog loves your wool rug so much, that's part of the reason. A rug that smells like a barnyard is rare, but it does happen. Sometimes it's more related to the rug's storage conditions than the rug itself. In most cases, the odor disappears quickly with a little airing. But sometimes it can be persistent. Again, it's rare, but it happens. And above all, it's a matter of personal sensitivity. Calling your supplier (especially if it's us) is the right thing to do.
But odors can be associated with stains. Lemon water can help. But be careful, like anything else. You have to be gentle, dry thoroughly, and avoid humidity, which creates mold.
The washing machine, friend of the Boucherouite
Boucherouite rugs are not made of wool but of cotton, or more precisely, reclaimed fabrics. If the rug isn't too large, machine washing is perfectly possible. Of course, you should choose a gentle cycle and a lukewarm water temperature, or even a cold wash. If the weather is nice and you have the time and space, let it air dry in the shade. Your rug may shrink. It's less of a problem than with jeans, but it can be noticeable when you put it back in its original place. Keep that in mind.
Protect your carpet!
The easiest stain to clean from a rug is the one you didn't make! If you're planning a wine and cheese party with 40 tipsy guests, then roll up your rug and store it somewhere else. It might be a little sad not to participate, but believe me, sometimes it's better to watch the party from afar when you're a new or old wool rug beloved by its owners.