Care Guide

Make your handmade heirloom from Armenia last a lifetime or longer following this simple care guide.

Follow these steps to care for your flat weave and keep it looking fresh and new.

1. Vacuum regularly on low suction and without brushes. Or, beat it the traditional way.
2. Rotate regularly and avoid long exposure to direct sunlight.

3. Blot out stains with a dry cloth or paper towel. Do not scrub and avoid detergents.
4. Do not machine wash! Wash your rugs with a professional handmade rug cleaner.

Keep reading for more details about each step!

1. Vacuum regularly on low suction and without brushes. Or, beat it the traditional way.

Depending on where you place your flat weave, dust, crumbs, and other debris can quickly settle on its surface and even get inside the weave. If lots of outdoor shoes pass over it, you’ll notice dust on its surface fairly quickly. But it also means that your rug is becoming more alive, according to local Armenian belief.

To keep your handmade flat weave looking brand new and in good condition, vacuum it at least once a week on a low suction setting. Avoid using your vacuum’s brushes when caring for your rug, particularly if they rotate, as they may damage the weave. A simple, good quality vacuum cleaner with a flat head attachment will work perfectly on your flat weave.

If you don’t have a vacuum at home, or want to feel yourself in 19th century Armenia, you can always beat your flat weave the traditional way they were cleaned before the advent of vacuum cleaners. First take your rug outside and give it a good shake to get rid of any sand or dust that may have settled deep in the weave that the vacuum may have missed. Then, hang it over a balcony or on a laundry line and using a rug beater or similar item, strike the surface of your flat weave in the same direction, left to right for example, and from top to bottom. Repeat this process on both sides of your flat weave. When striking your rug you’ll notice dust escaping the weave. When there is no more dust in the air as a result of beating, it means that you’ve successfully removed most of the impurities that have accumulated inside.

We recommend that you leave your rug outside for a while, whether you beat it or not, so that it is able to breath and to get rid of any odors that it may have absorbed. Do not leave it under direct sunlight, however! Long exposure to sunlight will break down the natural color pigments of the wool threads, causing discoloration – more on that below. In short, it’s a good idea to both vacuum and beat your rug regularly to keep it clean and looking brand new.

2. Rotate regularly and avoid long exposure to direct sunlight.

Regularly rotating and flipping your rug is another easy way to ensure even wear. If it’s left in the same position, in the same location, and on the same side for a long period of time, you’ll begin to notice uneven wear along the surfaces and edges that receive a lot of foot traffic.

Rotating and flipping 1-2 a month will ensure you avoid this. It’s commonly believed that exposure to sunlight kills bacteria and mildew that may have embedded itself within a rug. While short-term exposure to sunlight outdoors will contribute to the health of your rug, overexposure to UV rays will break down the natural pigments of your rug, resulting in colors fading and looking bleached. Frequently rotating and flipping your rug, as well as keeping it out of direct sunlight will help avoid this.

3. Blot out stains with a dry cloth or paper towel. Do not scrub and avoid detergents.

So you spilled a drink on your rug that may stain, and you’re freaking out. Don’t panic, but do act fast. You’ll first want to blot the spill with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. Simply press the cloth or paper towel onto the surface of your rug to quickly absorb the spill and prevent the stain from setting in. Do not wipe or scrub, as you may inadvertently damage the weave. We don’t recommend that you add extra moisture in the form of water or soap/detergent, as liquids can make it harder to remove stains, and even extend them further.

If the stain persists, you can try adding a little warm water and continuing to blot the spill. If you do add warm water, let it dry by leaving it completely flat in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight until it completely dries.

If the stain persists after trying all of the above, we highly recommend you contact a professional handmade rug cleaner in your area as soon as possible so they can take care of it for you before it's too late.

4. Do not machine wash! Have your rug washed by an experienced professional handmade rug cleaner.

If you experience a spill that blotting cannot remove, we highly recommend that you consult an experienced professional handmade rug cleaner as soon as possible.

Our rugs are not machine washable – do not attempt to wash them in a washing machine, as it may cause severe and permanent damage to the weave. A professional washer with experience handling handmade, naturally dyed rugs will be able to take care of it for you. Even if there are no spills or other visible damage to your rug, it’s a good idea to take your rug to be cleaned by a professional once a year.

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