Rugs have the unique ability to bring warmth, comfort, softness and personality to your space.  

Being a union of style and functionality, the right rug also anchors your space while creating layers of interest, depth and intrigue. 

But, despite having the capacity to tie diverse interior elements together rugs are not indestructible. If you want your rug to look and feel its best, regular cleaning and care are a must.  

The KING Rug Collection draws inspiration from the unique colours, hues and natural textures found throughout Australia’s vast landscape. Using the finest materials and artisan craftmanship, KING Rugs have been designed to perfectly complement our furniture designs and suit both traditional and contemporary interiors.  

In this article we share tips for maintaining and cleaning indoor rugs, which will help extend the life of your KING Rug. If you don't already own a rug, knowing this information may also help you decide if a rug is right for your home and lifestyle. 

Featured above, the Hue Rug, Seymour Armchair, Bongo, Apero Coffee Table and King Boulevard Sofa.

General rug care tips

From regular vacuuming to immediately cleaning up spills, properly cleaning and caring for your rug helps preserve the rug's original texture and appearance, which overall lends to an increased lifespan. 

Whether it's dirty footprints or an accidental spill, rugs get a lot of foot traffic and use. While keeping your rug clean may seem impossible, these steps will help keep your rug looking and feeling in top condition for as long as possible. 

Regularly vacuum your rug

Vacuuming is one of the most crucial steps in your rug maintenance routine. Regular vacuuming removes dust, dirt, pet dander and other foreign matter. This keeps your rug clean and prevents any matter from settling deep into the pills and fibres. 

For best results, follow the steps below: 

• Vacuum your rug at least once a week. 
• Remove all furniture and obstacles from the rug. 
• Roll the rug and vacuum the floor underneath. 
• To reduce shedding vacuum in the direction of the pile. 
• Do not use a rotating head vacuum or powerful vacuum as this can pull fibres loose from the base of the rug and cause irreparable damage. 
• If you are using a bag-less vacuuming system, empty out the device prior to vacuuming. 

Vacuuming will also help massage the yarn back to its normal state, which can become crushed over time due to traffic or furniture. 

Rotate your rug regularly

Repeated foot traffic on the same area can put stress on your rug. KING recommends rotating your rug every three to six months for even fading and wear.  

To minimise excessive shedding and wear, avoid walking over your rug with rubber-soled shoes and slippers.  

Use a rug underlay

Purchasing a rug underlay is an investment in the lifespan of your rug. Not only do rug underlays prevent your rug from moving, but they also assist in minimising wear and tear.  

Benefits of using a rug underlay: 

• Helps keep your rug in place and provides an anti-slip base.  
• Helps prevent lumps, bumps and buckling.  
• Protects your floor from scratching. Over time even the softest rug with movement can scratch a floor.  
• Provides ventilation underneath your rug.  
• Makes a difference in how your rug looks, feels and wears over time. 

For best results, ensure the rug underlay is two inches smaller than the edge of your rug.   

Avoid placing your rug in direct sunlight

Every rug, no matter the construction and quality, will fade if exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods of time.  

If possible, position your rug away from direct sunlight and rotate the rug regularly, especially if sunlight falls on one area of the room.  

Using felt discs on furniture legs

Applying felt discs to furniture legs will help reduce the appearance of indentation marks and minimise the risk of damaging the rug fibres or causing excessive wear and tear.

Featured above, the Apollo Rug in Graphite, the Mars Coffee Table and Concerto Sofa. 

How to clean your rug: cleaning up spill and stains

Whether it’s an accidental drink spill or food gets dropped on you rug, time will be of the essence. 

And, while the first rule for any spill is to act immediately, the first step to cleaning your rug is knowing your rug's material. This is crucial as different materials require unique cleaning methods and products. 

How to clean wool blend rugs

Spot clean as needed using a damp (not wet) cloth with water. Do not use soap or any cleaning products as they could damage your rug or cause discoloration. 

How to clean viscose and artsilk rugs

Viscose and artsilk rugs are highly absorbent. Even water, if left for a short amount of time, can cause discoloration.  

If you drop or spill anything on your viscose or artsilk rug, spot clean immediately with white paper towel to absorb the liquid.  

Do not use any cleaning products and do not use a wet cloth, this is best left to professional cleaners who have the necessary skills, equipment and solutions to properly clean the delicate rug materials.  

Removing liquid spills from your rug

Remember to act immediately. 

Blot spills with a paper towel or a colourless cloth, paying attention not to wipe or scrub. Rubbing will spread the spilt liquid and could cause further damage to the pile of your rug. 

To extract as much liquid as possible, regularly replace the paper towel or cloth.  

Removing food or solid spills from your rug

Food or solids which have been accidentally dropped on your rug will need to be removed carefully. 

Gently scoop up the food with the dull edge of a knife or spoon ensuring you do not push the material deeper into the rug fibres.  

Blot away any remaining liquid and remove as much of the food spill as possible prior to vacuuming or cleaning the area further. 

Featured above the Apollo Rug in Putty, Jasper Bed and Apero Side Table. 

Choosing the right rug for your space

The right rug can effortlessly bring cohesion and warmth to your space. And, a key step to choosing the right rug for your space is knowing what rug material will suit your lifestyle and home. 

Some weaves and fibres are more durable than others, which is essential for maintaining and cleaning your rug.   

Natural fibres: New Zealand wool is the natural fibre embraced by the KING Rug Collection. Long-lasting and easy to clean, these materials are suited to medium-traffic areas. The Marion and Oceania are both rich in natural fibres, making them a good choice for busy living spaces. Hand-knotted using pure undyed New Zealand wool, the Nomad Rug is suitable for living spaces with medium foot traffic.  

Synthetic fibres: Nylon, acrylic, polyester, and polypropylene are synthetic fibres commonly used in textiles. The Apollo Rug consists of poly-nylon, chosen as it is a durable, easy to clean and typically stain resistant fibre.   

Artificial silk: Also referred to as art silk, these rugs are soft and luxurious but also high maintenance. Common artificial silk fibres include viscose, Tencel, and banana silk. Art silk rugs including Bicheno, Hue and Lonsdale have specific care requirements and are best suited to low-traffic areas. 

Hand loomed from artsilk, the Bicheno Rug the Neo Sofa, Cassia Ottoman, Aspen Coffee Table and Apero Coffee Table. 

Are you ready to take care of your rug?

KING Rugs are crafted using the finest materials and artisan craftsmanship. As a premium product, your rug requires regular care and maintenance to keep it clean and looking its best for years to come 

To maintain and clean your rug, remember: 

• Vacuum your rug at least once a week. 
• Rotate your rug every three to six months. 
• Avoid walking on your rug with heavy-duty or thick rubber-soled shoes. 
• Use a rug underlay. 
• Avoid placing your rug in direct sunlight. 
• Apply felt discs to furniture legs.  
• Immediately blot spills with a paper towel or a colourless cloth. 

If you want to keep your rug clean and spotless, regular maintenance is a must. Refer to this article or download our rug care guide for cleaning and maintenance advice. 

To find out more about choosing the right rug for your home, read our complete guide to buying the perfect rug or see Neale Whitaker’s guide to living with rugs.