Care Guide for Viscose, Rayon, Cotton, Tencel carpet and rugs
Plant-based natural fibers are very absorbent and should not be placed in areas that are damp or where spills are likely to occur.
- Moisture vapor can penetrate the open ends of the fiber, causing them to swell up.
- When they swell up, they absorb more light than the dry fibers around them.
- When they absorb more light and the neighboring fibers continue to reflect light, the swollen fibers will look darker than the other fibers.
- This looks like a stain, when it is just the way light reflects from the fibers. There’s a temptation to rub the dark area. This will just fuzz up the spot and make it stand out even more.
- Think of when the sweat from a glass of water or ice tea leaves a ring on a piece of paper (a plant-based fiber). It looks like a stain, even though the moisture was perfectly clean. Also, that ring in the paper will never completely go away.
Vacuum regularly.
- Even fine dirt particles can grind and wear out these soft fibers.
- Use a vacuum made for soft carpets, such as the Soniclean SFC7000 or a vacuum with gentle suction.
- A vacuum with a nylon beater brush will tear and fray natural fibers.
- Even most adjustable upright vacuums actually dig into the carpet pile.
- A high-suction vacuum, like a Dyson, is not recommended.
- Change the vacuum cleaner dust bag when half full.
- Check the vacuum head or attachments for trapped fibers or sharp object like staples or paper-clips.
- Liquid spills act as a magnet to any dirt particles. What appears as a clean spot, if still wet, will pull dirt from shoes, furniture and even from dust in the air.
- Immediately blot a spill. Use a cotton towel (it’s important that the towel is more absorbent than the carpet fiber).
- Do not rub. This can spread the stain and abrade the fibers.
- To remove a spot caused by solid substances, scrape it up with a spoon or spatula working from the outside of the spill toward the center.
- To prevent the fibers from absorbing any further moisture, use a dry cleaning powder such as Capture, Host, Wool Dri or Wool Clean absorb-it.
- Club Soda is not the right thing for a plant-based fiber.
- Never steam clean or wet-shampoo a plant-based natural fiber carpet or rug.
- Use a dry-cleaning method only – dry powder, not solvent – no abrasion.
- Dry cleaning does not mean taking a rug to a laundry dry-cleaner