Antiques guide: how to clean antique rugs
Keep antique carpets and rugs spick and span with this helpful advice
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The rich colours and patterns of handmade rugs add warmth and opulence to interiors and have been treasured by collectors for centuries. Keeping rugs clean isn’t just a question of making them look good – if you don’t remove grit and dust it may become embedded in the structure of the rug and cause damage that will shorten its life. Not cleaning a rug may also encourage moths. Handmade rugs should be vacuumed with extreme caution: never vacuum fringes and bear in mind overzealous use of powerful vacuum cleaners can damage knots. If your rug is made from silk or is a delicate and valuable antique, it’s best to give it to a professional to clean. Other rugs can be cleaned by hand at home. How often you do so depends on how much wear a rug gets, but once every two years would be an average recommended guide.
You Will Need
- Cane beater or vacuum
- White cloth
- Rug shampoo – use a variety without bleach
- Warm water
- White vinegar
- Natural bristle brush (a horse grooming brush is ideal)
