Caring for a Rug: Respecting the Work

Aya Omrani
Oct 3
2 min read

Updated: Oct 6

Handwoven Tunisian rug with geometric patterns in sunlight on tiled floor

To care for a rug is to respect the hands that made it.

Every fiber carries time, labor, and memory. Looking after it means entering into its life, not only keeping it intact.

This guide offers ways to honor that work, so your rug serves you for decades.

Rotate with Intention

Rugs live under footsteps, chairs, and sunlight. If you never rotate them, one side carries the weight while the other rests. By turning your rug every few months, you keep its memory balanced.

Rotation is not only practical; it’s an act of fairness to the weave.

Clean with Respect

Vacuum gently, without harsh bristles that pull at the threads. If a spill happens, blot, never rub. Use water and mild soap, avoiding strong chemicals that strip the wool’s natural oils.

Think of cleaning as conversation, not combat. You’re not scrubbing a surface; you’re preserving a story.

Protect from Sun and Humidity

Natural light gives rugs their beauty, but too much sun fades colors unevenly. Rotate, draw curtains, or use natural shades to soften the light. Likewise, avoid damp spaces where fibers weaken.

A rug, like a person, needs both light and rest.

Store Thoughtfully

If you ever need to store your rug, roll it, never fold. Wrap it in breathable cotton, not plastic. Keep it elevated, dry, and safe from moths.

Proper storage ensures your rug doesn’t just survive absence; it waits, intact, for its next chapter.

Why Care Matters

A handmade rug is a system: wool, dyes, hands, rhythm, and time woven together. To care for it is to continue the work begun by the artisan.

Respect extends value. Pride deepens bond. A cared-for rug becomes part of your home’s memory, carrying both your life and the life of those who made it.