Expert Rug Care FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

How to Tell if My Persian Rug is Authentic or Machine-Made?

The easiest way to identify an authentic, hand-knotted Persian rug is to flip it over. On a handmade rug, the pattern on the back will be nearly as vivid as the front, and you will see distinct, slightly uneven individual knots. On a machine-made rug, the back is typically covered by a thick canvas backing or uniform grid lines.

Additionally, look at the fringe. A true hand-knotted rug has fringe that is formed by the actual foundation threads extending out of the rug. Machine-made rugs usually have the fringe sewn or glued onto the edges. If your authentic fringe is wearing down, it requires specialized rug repair to prevent the knots from unraveling. If you're still unsure of your rug's origin, our Persian & Oriental rug cleaning experts can properly identify and safely wash it for you.

What is the Best Rug Pad for Luxury Vinyl Plank Floors?

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) floors are incredibly popular, but they are highly susceptible to chemical damage. Cheap, big-box store rug pads are often made from PVC or synthetic rubber that contain plasticizers. Over time, these chemicals react with the vinyl flooring, causing permanent yellowing, sticking, and discoloration.

To protect your LVP flooring, you must use breathable, non-staining custom rug pads. Our premium pads are cut to the exact size of your rug, providing a safe grip without off-gassing toxic chemicals onto your expensive floors.

How Often Should I Vacuum a Hand-Knotted Wool Rug?

You should vacuum your hand-knotted wool rugs 1 to 2 times a week to prevent dirt from settling into the foundation. However, always turn off the beater bar (the spinning brush) on your vacuum! The abrasive brush acts like a cheese grater on natural wool and silk fibers. Use suction only.

While regular vacuuming removes surface debris, it cannot extract the abrasive grit that sinks to the bottom of the knots. To prevent dry rot and fiber breakdown, you need deep professional rug cleaning every 2 to 5 years. Our traditional rug cleaning process safely vibrates dry soil out before the wet wash.

If you have pets, you may need more frequent maintenance, especially if you require our specialized enzyme pet odor removal treatment to handle accidents. Whenever it's time for a deep clean, simply schedule our convenient pickup and delivery service to make the process completely hassle-free!