How to clean a Persian rug (and when to call a pro).

The short answer

Vacuum it gently every week, turn it once or twice a year, blot spills right away with cold water, and have it washed by hand by a professional every year or two. Never use a steam cleaner or carpet shampoo on it.

Every week: vacuum gently

• Turn off the beater bar (the spinning brush), or use a suction-only attachment. The brush pulls at the knots.
• Go with the pile, not against it. Run your hand across the rug. The smooth direction is the way to vacuum.
• Stay off the fringe. Vacuums chew fringe up fast. Vacuum toward the fringe and stop, or lift the edge.
• Flip it a few times a year and vacuum the back. Grit works its way down and wears the rug from underneath.

Once or twice a year: turn it around

Sunlight and foot traffic hit one side harder. Turning the rug 180 degrees helps it fade and wear evenly.

When something spills

1. Act fast. The sooner you get to it, the less it sets.
2. Blot, don't rub. Press a clean white cloth or paper towel on the spot. Rubbing spreads it and roughs up the wool.
3. Use a little cold water. Dampen the spot and blot again. Keep going until nothing more comes up.
4. Dry it. Press with a dry towel, then let it air dry. A fan helps.

If color starts showing on your cloth, stop. That means the dye is moving, and a professional should take it from there.

What never to use

Pet accidents need extra care

Blot up as much as you can with cold water right away. Pet urine soaks into the foundation and can change the dyes over time, so a professional wash is the best fix if it happens more than once.

How often should it be professionally washed?

Most rug experts suggest every one to two years for a rug in a busy room, and every three to five years for one in a quiet room. With pets or kids, lean toward more often.

Signs it's time

• The colors look dull or gray
• Your hand comes up dusty when you rub the rug
• It smells, even after vacuuming
• A spill or pet accident didn't fully come out

Let us wash it for you

We wash Persian and Oriental rugs by hand, dry them in open air, and pick them up and bring them back for free in our local area. See how our rug cleaning works, or ask about repairs if the fringe or edges need help too.