Your Complete Guide to Silk Rugs Maintenance
Rug weaving is a traditional craft that dates back to prehistoric times when these floor cloths were woven by tribesmen for domestic purposes.
However, as the human civilization evolved, the art of weaving did too. Master weavers started employing various knotting methods and techniques to create rugs that were visually appealing, had a velvety feel, and were often used as a symbol of wealth and status.
These rugs – the ones designed and woven by experts – were mostly made of fine silk threads and usually found their way to palaces, churches, and the homes of aristocrats.
Even today, silk rugs are considered a luxurious décor item that deserves to be appreciated, valued, and taken care of in the proper manner. Because, well, not everyone can afford to buy an intricate hand-woven silk masterpiece!
Should You be Investing in an Expensive Silk Rug?
If you don’t own a silk rug already, this particular question must be going through your head while you’re staring at those magnificent Mamluk rugs for sale online:
Do I really need to buy something this expensive for my living room floor?
Well, the answer to whether you should buy a silk rug or not totally depends on your preferences in terms of home décor.
In a sense, if you’re someone who wants their living room to look nothing less than a Mughal king’s court, or if you think of Birmingham Palace whenever the term ‘interior décor’ is mentioned, a silk rug is just what you need.
On the other hand, if budget constraints are guiding your choices, or you’d rather use your money to feed hungry children than to impress your guests, you can easily buy Oushak rugs online, or any other wool handmade rug that’s beautiful yet economical.
You can also get something that’s a blend of wool and silk.
In any case, when you’re picking rugs for your home, it’s best to think of the purchase as an ‘investment’ rather than expense. Because, that’s what handmade rugs are!
Confused?
Here’s why your silk rug would be totally worth it:
- The rugs are crafted by master weavers who use the finest materials, paired up with age-old weaving techniques and skilful craftsmanship to produce masterpieces.
- Most handmade rugs are one-of-a-kind pieces. Which means, you’d be the only proud owner of an authentic rug that has no other similar copy.
- Handmade rugs are highly-durable and long-lasting. So much so that a rug you buy can end up in your grandchild’s living room (if taken proper care of).
- Handwoven rugs and carpets are incredibly soft to touch and have a luxurious feel that can’t be mimicked by their machine-made counterparts.
- The value of authentic hand-knotted rugs tends to increase overtime. For example, if you buy a handmade rug today, it would become a treasured antique piece by the time your next generation inherits it.
How to Keep Your Silk Rug Fresh and Vibrant for Years?
Silk rugs are by far the most expensive type of handmade rugs available in the market. So, if you’ve bought one, you must be wondering how to keep it fresh and clean for years, right?
Well, all your silk rug needs to stay in a good shape is a bit of extra care, regular cleaning, and less foot traffic.
Ready to learn what the experts say?
Here’re some silk-rug-care tips:
1. Your Rug’s Placement Matters
Whether you’ve bought handmade Butterfly rugs or a Persian carpet, know that your rug’s placement should be more than just aesthetically appealing.
A handmade silk rug should be placed in an area that:
- Gets less foot-traffic
- Does not receive direct sunlight
- Isn’t damp or wet
That’s because the fibres of silk rugs are much more easily damageable as compared to wool or cotton rugs.
In case of too much foot-traffic, a silk floor covering can lose its original shine and lustre, its colours can start fading, and the rug may wear off sooner than expected.
2. Stains and Spills are the Worst Enemies
When you’ve got an expensive rug adorning your floor, a spill stain is the last thing you’d want.
However, spill accidents happen mostly without a warning, and so they’re sort of unavoidable. But what can be avoided is an ugly stain.
How?
In case of spills, get to action immediately!
If it’s something solid, scoop up the debris gently by using a spoon, and the follow to treat the stain with a clean, wet rag.
For liquid spills, use paper towels to get rid of the excess liquid, and then treat the stain by dabbing on it with a wet cloth.
In any case, remember not to rub on the stained spots, since rubbing can cause the stain to spread further and become even more worse, as well as harder to get rid of.
Moreover, for stains that’re too stubborn and hard to clean, don’t hesitate to call a professional cleaner and get the stain treated right away so that your rug won’t be scarred for life.
3. Regular Cleaning is the Key
Silk rugs should not be washed or dry cleaned too often, hence regular cleaning becomes a must.
All you need to do is get a no-rotating and no-brush vacuum cleaner and clean your rug every other day, or at least three times a week.
Apart from this, if your rug isn’t too big, it’s also recommended to give it a good shake. This helps in getting rid of the excess debris, dust, and dirt quickly, without much hassle.
It’s also best to vacuum your rug after someone has stepped on it with their ‘outside shoes’ on, so the dirt won’t settle deep into your rug and damage its delicate fibres.
4. Professional Cleaning Helps
Silk rugs can’t be exposed to harsh chemicals or heat, but they sure need a deep cleaning session once in a while. So, choose a well-reputed carpet cleaning service, and get your silk rug cleaned from both sides by a professional.
While getting your rug cleaned, make sure the detergent being used is right for your rug material, and that no unsuitable chemicals are being used while treating spots or stains.
5. Make it Off-Limits for Pets
Pets are cute, but their hair can be a nuisance if you happen to own an expensive silk rug. Also, if your pet decides to give you a wet surprise, the urine won’t just leave a stain, but it can also make your rug smell really awful.
While one can remove pet hair from wool rugs with a brush, this trick can damage the fibres of a silk rug, and if done often, your rug can start showing signs of wear and tear.
So, it’s best to keep your pets (whether it’s a cat or a dog) away from the rug at all times to make your expensive purchase last long.
But, if that’s not possible because your little doggo loves staying around you at all times, we’d tell you to either place your silk rug somewhere less-visited by your furry friend, or simply get Kilim handmade rugs instead.
All in all, the enchantingly beautiful, magnificently luxurious, and utterly charming silk rugs can be really expensive. So, if you’re investing in one, it’s best to take proper care of it by following the expert tips we’ve just discussed above!
