Common Concerns
Materials
Care & Cleaning
Storage
1Common Concerns
COMMON CONCERNS
All Surya rugs are handmade by skilled artisans or machine woven in a specialty manufacturing facility, and are checked to meet quality standards before shipment. We stand behind our products 100% but understand that there are some common concerns about rugs that may require further explanation.
Design, color & size
Design, color & size
Handmade rugs may have slight variation in design, color, and size (3%-5%) which are not considered defects.
Machine woven rugs may have slight variation in size (up to 2%) which are not considered defects.
Shedding
Shedding is considered normal and will vary depending on the construction and content. Shedding will usually subside over time, although some rugs may have mild shedding for the lifetime of the rug. It typically takes 20-25 vacuums at a minimum (depending on foot traffic) to curtail shedding.
Hand tufted rugs will have the highest shedding, while machine woven rugs have the lowest shedding.
Wool and viscose have the highest shedding, while polypropylene, olefin, polyester, acrylic and nylon have the lowest shedding.
Sprouts
Sprouting is a normal part of the break-in process where loose yarns are pulled up above the surface of the rug. This is considered normal and will vary depending on the rug construction and content.
To remove sprouts, use scissors to carefully trim the sprouting yarn even with the pile.
Do not pull sprouts out of the rug, as this causes additional sprouting and damage.
Hand hooked rugs will have the highest sprouting, while machine woven rugs have the lowest.
Creases
Because rugs are rolled for shipping and storage, they may have creases or curling when first unrolled.
Creases should disappear within a week or two when the rug is laid out flat.
Reverse rolling the rug overnight will help to release creases.
Odor
Dyes, yarns, backing and packing material all have natural odors that are sometimes magnified after being sealed for shipping and storage.
Odors should dissipate within a week once the rug is removed from the packaging.
Fading
The colors in your rug will fade with time, even if the material is fade resistant.
Direct sunlight will cause faster fading than indirect sunlight.
Rotating your rug every 3-6 months will distribute the fading more evenly over the rug which reduces the appearance of fading.
Jute and Wool will fade the fastest.
Polypropylene and olefin are the most fade resistant materials because they are solution dyed.
Polyester, acrylic and nylon also fade much more slowly than natural materials.
2Materials
MATERIALS
There are countless rug materials, especially considering that two, three or even more materials may be used in a single rug. Below are some of the essential materials used in Surya rugs. Each material has specific benefits and characteristics that are unique based on origin.
HAIR ON HIDE/SHEEPSKIN
Natural animal rawhides with hair/fur still attached are cleaned and finished by hand. They are moisture resistant and biodegradable. Surya uses only cow and sheepskin hides and since no two animals have exactly the same markings or coloration, every product made with Hair on Hide or Sheepskin will have natural variation in shape, markings and coloration.
JUTE/SEAGRASS/SISAL
Cellulose fiber extracted from a plant then spun into yarn. This material is sustainable, biodegradable, durable and affordable. It is also moisture resilient and embodies natural color variation. It feels coarse and has high shedding if used in pile construction but minimal otherwise. Dyed and undyed colors will vary based on the time of year when the fibers are harvested.
NEW ZEALAND WOOL
Protein based fiber from New Zealand sheep’s fleece is spun into yarn. This wool is higher quality than normal Wool and has more softness, natural sheen and less shedding. Dyed and undyed wool products will vary in shade from piece to piece and will fade with exposure to sunlight. All wool sheds, however this varies depending on the quality and will reduce over time.
POLYPROPYLENE/OLEFIN/POLYOLEFIN
Synthetic (man-made) made by extruding polymers or petrochemicals and solution-dyed in a liquid state before it is formed into yarn. It is highly durable, moisture, fade and stain resistant, with minimal-to-no shedding or color variation. This material has a slight chemical odor which will fade over time.
POLYESTER/ACRYLIC/POLY ACRYLIC/NYLON
Synthetic (man-made) made by extruding polymers or petrochemicals and yarn-dyed. It is highly durable, moisture and stain resistant with minimal-to-no shedding. This material has a slight chemical odor which will fade over time.
TENCEL™
Cellulose pulp from wood is first extracted using recyclable solvents and then spun into yarn. Tencel imitates the look and texture of silk at a lower price and is sustainable and biodegradable. It is soft with a silky appearance and lustrous sheen. It is not recommended for high traffic areas due to high shedding since non-resilient fibers can mat and make stains difficult to clean. Tencel is more durable then viscose and will shed less than viscose. However, it is less durable that synthetic fibers and wool.
VISCOSE
Hybrid of natural cellulose pulp and synthetic fibers is regenerated through chemical processing and spun into yarn. This material imitates the look and texture of silk at a lower price. It is biodegradable with a soft appearance and has a silky feel with lustrous sheen. It is not recommended for high traffic areas due to high shedding since non-resilient fibers can mat and make stains difficult to clean.
WOOL-FELTED
Protein fiber from sheep’s fleece which is agitated, usually with water, at a high temperature so the fibers mat together. Wool yarn is sustainable, biodegradable, highly durable and highly resilient with natural oils that provide softness. Dyed and undyed wool products will vary in shade from piece to piece and will fade with exposure to sunlight. All wool sheds, however this varies depending on the quality and will reduce over time.
WOOL
Protein based fiber from sheep’s fleece is spun into yarn. Wool yarn is sustainable, biodegradable, highly durable and highly resilient with natural oils that provide softness. Dyed and undyed wool products will vary in shade from piece to piece and will fade with exposure to sunlight. All wool sheds, however this varies depending on the quality and will reduce over time.
3Care & Cleaning
CARE & CLEANING
The following are general care and cleaning instructions that apply to any type of rug.
VACUUMING
Canister vacuums without beater bars are the optimal type of vacuum to use on rugs.
Brooms and manual sweepers are also a gentle and effective way to clean rugs.
If you must use an upright vacuum, use the handheld attachment whenever possible.
If you are unable to use the handheld attachment on your upright vacuum, turn off the vacuum’s beater bar.
If the beater bar cannot be turned off, set it on the highest position possible before vacuuming.
Refrain from running the vacuum over the edges of the rug or the rugs. Instead, use the handheld attachment or carefully place the vacuum on the rug.
If a rug is reversible remember to vacuum both sides
CLEANING SPILLS
Clean spills immediately. Once a stain is set it becomes much more difficult to clean.
Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument.
Blot the spill with a dry cotton cloth or a clean paper towel.
Work from the outer edges of the spill towards the center to prevent spreading.
Never rub a spill as this forces the spill deeper into the rug.
To remove any residual staining, dampen a cotton cloth or clean paper towel with clean, cold/lukewarm water. Gently blot with the damp cloth and quickly absorb the moisture on the rug.
Please note that Viscose and Tencel rugs should never be cleaned with any water or liquid.
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING
Handmade rugs require a different cleaning process than wall-to-wall carpet, so be sure to choose a professional rug cleaning expert.
Inspect the rug with the cleaning expert prior to cleaning.
Get a signed receipt and guarantee of work before the work is performed.
Any damage resulting from the professional cleaning process is the responsibility of the cleaner.
OUTDOOR RUG CARE
Outdoor Safe products require regular care and cleaning, and should be stored in when they are not in use.
Leaving an outdoor rug in direct or indirect sunlight outdoors will cause rapid fading.
Store the rug in the shade when not in use. If you choose to leave your rug outdoors, shade it with an awning or umbrella.
Leaving an outdoor rug in rain or humid weather will cause rapid deterioration and/or mold. Store the rug in a dry space when not in use. If a rug is left in the rain by accident, hang the rug over a railing in sunlight until it has completely dried.
Outdoor Safe products that are damaged or aged prematurely due to negligence are not considered defective.
SPECIAL CARE BASED ON CONSTRUCTION
Hand Knotted Rugs - Use extra caution and care when cleaning because of the high value of these rugs.
Hand Woven (Flat Weave) - Regularly vacuum both sides of the rug to remove any grit that may cause premature wear.
Hand Woven (Shag/Texture) - Use extra caution and care when vacuuming; alternatively, you can take the rug outside to shake it out.
SPECIAL CARE BASED ON MATERIAL
Wool/NZ Wool - Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains; regular vacuuming will help to curtail shedding sooner.
Polypropylene/Olefin/Polyolefin - Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains.
Polyester/Acrylic/Poly Acrylic/Nylon - Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains.
Jute/Seagrass/Sisal - Regular vacuuming will help to curtail shedding sooner.
Viscose/Tencel - Never clean these rugs with water or any other liquid.
4Storage
STORAGE
Your rug is much more vulnerable to damage when it is in storage than in day-to-day use. A rug in storage, especially if it has not been professionally cleaned and properly prepared for storage, can be damaged in a relatively short time. We recommend taking the following precautions when storing your rug.
PROTECT YOUR RUG FROM MOTHS AND OTHER INSECTS
Any rug that is unattended (such as under furniture, in a dark area or in storage) or has foodstuff or protein substances, such as accumulated pet hair, can attract moths. Moths prefer laying their larvae in tightly rolled rugs. Apply an insect and moth repellent that is specially designed for fabrics.
ROLL YOUR RUG FOR STORAGE
Unless a rug is very old and fragile, rolling it for storage is generally the most beneficial. To determine which way to roll your rug, decide which is more fragile: the back of the rug or the pile where the fibers are. In general, the pile is more delicate, meaning you should roll your rug with the pile facing inward. Make sure to roll it as straight as possible. If possible, roll the rug around a cardboard support tube. Folding, rather than rolling a rug, especially if it is stored for a long period of time, may cause creases that may be difficult to steam or clean out. Poorly folded rugs can also develop cracked foundations.
WRAP THE RUG IN A PROTECTIVE FABRIC
Wrap your carpet in a breathable fabric like a cotton sheet or muslin to keep it protected. If you want expert-level protection, consider wrapping your rug in a polyurethane rug wrap. These rug wraps are designed to provide a superior barrier against dampness and insects and will be more effective than muslin. Do not use plastic to wrap your rug, since it will keep it from breathing.
STORE THE RUG OFF THE GROUND IN A COOL, DRY ENVIRONMENT
Synthetic (man-made) made by extruding polymers or petrochemicals and solution-dyed in a liquid state before it is formed into yarn. It is highly durable, moisture, fade and stain resistant, with minimal-to-no shedding or color variation. This material has a slight chemical odor which will fade over time.
UNROLL THE RUG AND CHECK THE RUG FOR SIGNS OF DAMAGE EVERY FEW MONTHS
To be safe, we suggest unrolling your rug once a month to make sure there is no evidence of insect infestation or mildew. Also, vacuum the area and the rug itself to eliminate any insect-attracting dust.
