Dasos Gonnella

The Ultimate Rug Cleaning Schedule: How Often Should You Clean? Learn how often to clean your rug based on its use, material, and your lifestyle. A practical schedule for rug lovers who want to protect their investment. The Problem With Waiting Too Long Most people wait until their rug looks dirty before booking a professional clean. But that’s usually too late. Rugs—especially high-quality Persian and oriental ones—are masters at hiding dirt. Their dense pile and deep dyes disguise the signs of wear, while below the surface, grit and contaminants build up. This invisible soil grinds against the fibres, wearing them down slowly over time. We’ve washed rugs that didn’t look filthy until the water ran brown for five rinses straight. So, when clients ask us how often they should clean their rug, our answer is simple: sooner than you think. But let’s get more specific. What’s the Right Cleaning Schedule? It depends on three things: How the rug is used What it’s made of Who shares your space Here’s a simple breakdown by rug usage: Usage Recommended Cleaning Frequency Light foot traffic only Every 3–5 years Normal household use Every 1–2 years High traffic / hallway rug Every 6–12 months Pets, young kids, or smokers Every 6–9 months (or as needed) Recent spill or odour issue Immediately (don’t delay) Why Vacuuming Isn’t Enough Regular vacuuming is essential, but it only handles surface dirt and loose particles. It won’t remove the compacted soil in the rug’s foundation, and it definitely won’t tackle oils, allergens, bacteria, or odours. Think of it like dental hygiene: brushing helps, but you still need a professional clean. Our specialist rug dusting equipment removes up to 75% of the dry particulate soil before we even begin washing. This is the stuff no vacuum can reach. Special Cases That Need Faster Cleaning Pets (Especially Dogs) Pet hair, oil, and accidents can seep deep into the rug fibres. Urine, in particular, can destabilise dyes and cause permanent damage if left untreated. If your pet has had an accident, don’t wait—have the rug cleaned and treated immediately. Allergy Sufferers Rugs act like a sponge for dust, pollen, and allergens. If you or someone in your home has sensitivities, professional rug cleaning every year will help manage indoor air quality and reduce symptoms. Valuable or Antique Rugs These should be cleaned more frequently—not less. Dirt is abrasive. Even if the rug isn’t in a high-traffic area, trapped grit can shorten its life. Annual cleaning helps preserve its structure, colour, and value. Signs Your Rug Needs Cleaning Even if you vacuum weekly and rotate your rug regularly, here are signs it’s time to book a professional clean: Odors that linger (pet, smoke, mustiness) The pile feels flat or sticky The rug looks dull or patchy You spot moth activity You haven’t cleaned it in over two years Still unsure? Try lifting a corner and banging it on a hard surface. If a puff of dust comes out—it’s time. How Often Should You Clean Rug Types? Rug Type Cleaning Notes Wool rugs Every 1–2 years; more often with pets/kids Silk rugs Every 2–3 years; handle with care Viscose or faux silk 1–2 years; very delicate and soil-sensitive Flatweave / Kilim Every 2 years; easy to vacuum but still traps grit   Our Cleaning Promise Whether your rug is a modern Gabbeh or a 100-year-old Isfahan, we approach each clean with a detailed inspection, thorough dusting, and gentle immersion wash tailored to its needs. Every rug has its own story—and we clean accordingly. We also keep records of every rug we clean, so we can remind you when it’s due for its next wash. That way, you never have to guess. All Posts Advice News Reviews Can You Wash a Persian Rug at Home? Read More A Tale of Two Rugs in Notting Hill Read More Viscose Rug Cleaning & Maintenance Tips Read More Newsletter Sign up to get the latest news and rug care tips Name Email Δ

Should You Scotchgard Your Rug? What to Know About Stain Protection Scotchgard and similar stain protection treatments promise peace of mind—but are they safe to use on your rug? Here’s what to know before you commit. The Case for Protection If you’ve just had your rug professionally cleaned, it’s only natural to want to keep it that way. You’ve invested in restoring its color, removing embedded dirt, and possibly even repairing minor damage. Now, you might be wondering: should I add a layer of protection? It’s a question we’re asked often. And the answer is: it depends—not on whether protection is valuable, but on how it’s done, what it’s made of, and what kind of rug you’re treating. What Scotchgard Actually Does Scotchgard is often used as a catch-all term for any fabric or carpet protector. What it actually refers to is a type of stain treatment originally developed to repel spills and dirt by coating fibers with a thin barrier. This barrier doesn’t stop accidents from happening—but it does buy you time. That means the red wine your cousin spills doesn’t immediately soak into the pile. Or the juice your child knocks over can be gently blotted up before it becomes a permanent part of the design. For busy homes, stain protection sounds like a no-brainer. But the truth is, not all protectors—or rugs—are equal. When It Works, and When It Doesn’t Let’s say you’ve got a modern wool rug in a living room that sees a lot of life. Coffee cups, kids, pets, parties. You vacuum regularly, but the risk of spills is constant. A well-applied protector here can extend the time between professional cleans and help you sleep easier when someone reaches for the wine bottle. Now, imagine a 100% silk Isfahan with delicate pile and a hand-knotted fringe. The wrong type of stain protection—especially one sprayed from a can bought online—can actually dull the finish, stiffen the pile, or worse, interact chemically with the dyes. This is where professional care matters most. In our studio, we test every rug before applying any treatment. We apply the protector by hand and brush it carefully into the fibres. And after it’s cured, we test again to make sure the rug reacts exactly as it should. Misconceptions About “Stain Resistance” One of the biggest myths we try to dispel is that stain protection makes a rug bulletproof. It doesn’t. A treated rug can still stain. If you leave that wine spill to dry overnight, no protector in the world will save you. What protection does is give you time to act. Instead of a spill sinking straight into the fibres, it beads on the surface. That might buy you five minutes—or fifteen. It depends on the rug, the liquid, the temperature, the room. But five minutes might be all you need to save your rug. Why It’s Still Worth It The thing about rugs—especially the kinds we work with—is that they’re not disposable. These aren’t machine-made, synthetic carpets you swap out every few years. These are handwoven pieces that carry history and craft. Protecting them isn’t just about keeping them pretty. It’s about giving them a better shot at aging gracefully. A treated rug stays cleaner longer. It’s easier to vacuum. The fibres don’t wear down as quickly because grit can’t lodge itself as deeply. And when the time comes to clean it again? It often responds better, because the damage hasn’t had as much time to take hold. What Our Clients Say We’ve had clients come back to us years after their first clean and protection, amazed at how well their rug has held up. One said they’d spilled wine more than once but managed to soak it up with paper towels each time, with no trace left behind. Another told us they hadn’t even noticed how much easier their rug was to vacuum until they replaced it with an untreated one in another room. “It was like night and day,” they said. For us, that’s the best evidence there is. So, should you Scotchgard your rug? If it’s a well-made wool or silk rug, and if you care about preserving it, then yes—but not with something from a DIY shelf. The best approach is one that’s tailored to your rug’s material, construction, and dye stability. We believe in protection. We just believe it should be done right. All Posts Advice News Reviews Can You Wash a Persian Rug at Home? Read More A Tale of Two Rugs in Notting Hill Read More Viscose Rug Cleaning & Maintenance Tips Read More Newsletter Sign up to get the latest news and rug care tips Name Email Δ

Moths in Rugs: How to Spot Them and What to Do Moths love wool—and your rug could be their next meal. Learn how to spot the signs early, treat infestations, and prevent costly rug damage. A Hidden Problem That Can Do Serious Damage It starts quietly. A corner of your rug looks a little bare. Some loose fibres gather near the skirting board. Maybe you spot a moth and think nothing of it. Then one day, you lift your rug and discover a patch eaten all the way down to the foundation. Moths are one of the most destructive—and overlooked—threats to your handmade rug. By the time most people notice the damage, the infestation is already well underway. And in our experience, untreated moth damage often leads to costly restoration work that could have been avoided. Here’s how to spot the signs early, what to do if you find them, and how to protect your rug in the long term. Why Moths Love Your Rug Wool rugs—especially Persian and oriental hand-knotted pieces—are made from natural animal fibres, often rich in lanolin and protein (keratin). That’s exactly what moth larvae love to eat. The adult moths don’t cause the damage. It’s their tiny, barely visible offspring that chew through the pile. They also hate light. So they favour the undisturbed, dark corners of your rug. Think under sofas, beds, or behind furniture where the vacuum rarely reaches. And if your rug hasn’t been professionally cleaned in years? That’s a feast. Dust, skin cells, hair, food crumbs—it’s the perfect buffet for moths to lay their eggs. How to Spot the Signs of Moths in Rugs 1. Thin or Bare Patches The most obvious sign is areas where the wool has been eaten away. Often this damage reveals the warp and weft foundation threads underneath. 2. Loose or Crumbly Fibres If you notice tufts or clumps of fibres coming loose from the pile—especially in hidden areas—there’s a good chance moth larvae have been snacking. 3. Small Cocoons or Larvae Moth larvae look like tiny white worms, around 1cm long. They often nest in fuzzy white cocoons that blend into the wool. 4. Frass (Moth Droppings) Frass looks like fine brown dust or sand. It gathers near damaged areas or underneath the rug. 5. Flying Adult Moths You may see adult moths flying slowly near baseboards or out from under rugs. They’re tan, silvery, or dull golden in color—and they’re a warning sign that the lifecycle is underway. What to Do If You Spot Signs of Moths First: don’t panic. But don’t wait either. Call a professional rug cleaning company that specializes in treating moth-infested rugs. DIY vacuuming or over-the-counter sprays won’t cut it—and could make the problem worse if done improperly. At The Persian Rug Cleaning Company, we: Seal and isolate moth-affected rugs immediately Conduct a thorough immersion wash using cold water and woolsafe®-approved shampoo Apply a specialist moth treatment during and after the wash, on both sides Dry in a controlled environment to prevent any further damage Our treatment works as a long-lasting repellent, making the rug unappetising to moths and interrupting their life cycle. Prevention: How to Keep Moths Away Moth damage is much easier (and cheaper) to prevent than to repair. Here’s how: Let in Light Open blinds and curtains regularly. Moths hate light, and even 15 minutes of exposure can disturb them. Vacuum Consistently Focus on the corners, edges, and underneath furniture. If you can’t vacuum under the sofa, rotate your rug every few months so that no area is neglected. Clean Rugs Regularly Have your rugs professionally cleaned every 1–2 years. This removes food sources and disrupts the conditions moths thrive in. Use Moth Deterrents Consider lavender sachets, cedar chips, or commercial moth traps near stored rugs or darker areas of your home. Inspect Rugs Periodically Lift and check both sides of your rug every few months—especially if it hasn’t been moved or cleaned in a while. If It’s Already Too Late Don’t throw it away just yet. Even severely moth-damaged rugs can often be restored with skilled reweaving. We’ve repaired large moth-eaten patches on tribal and silk rugs alike, restoring their structure and value. But timing is key—the earlier we catch the damage, the better the outcome. All Posts Advice News Reviews Can You Wash a Persian Rug at Home? Read More A Tale of Two Rugs in Notting Hill Read More Viscose Rug Cleaning & Maintenance Tips Read More Newsletter Sign up to get the latest news and rug care tips Name Email Δ

We get a lot of calls about “silk” rugs that don’t behave like silk. Often, they’re viscose—a fibre that mimics silk’s shine but lacks its durability. If you’re thinking of buying a rug and can’t decide between silk and viscose, read this first.