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CARPET CARE

All Kaleen products are unique by nature. Routine care and cleaning are vital to maintaining the long-term durability and appearance of your product.  For maximum appearance retention, rotate for rugs every 3-6 months.  Keep your rug out of direct sunlight as much as possible. With the exception of our Indoor/Outdoor products that have been UV protected, rugs in direct sunlight will fade over time.

 

WARNING:  Attempting to clean your product with any of the following including, but not limited to hot water extraction, carpet shampooing, or commercial aerosol foam products intended for synthetic fiber carpet may permanently damage your rug and will void your warranty. Excessive exposure to water must be avoided with all-natural fiber products. Kaleen recommends professional cleaning only.

 

Minor spills on Kaleen Rug & Broadloom with the exception of our hand-processed Jute, Tensil OR Viscose products may be restored by first scraping off any food or debris with a dull instrument.  Then mix a very small amount of dish soap with a cup of cold water.  With a clean sponge and your soap mixture, gently remove the remainder of the stain.

Avoid using excessive water.  Blot the area with a dry cotton towel or white paper towel and allow to dry thoroughly.  However, for best results, professional cleaning is always recommended.

  • Natural fiber rugs such as wool should be professional cleaned to remove more stubborn stains.
  • Jute textured rugs are extremely sensitive to moisture and humidity.  It is recommended that these rugs be professionally cleaned if it becomes necessary.
  • Tensil/Viscose Rugs & Broadloom are also extremely sensitive to moisture & humidity. Under no circumstances should these products coming contact of water as discoloration will occur.
  • Synthetic fiber rugs made from materials such as Olefin, Polypropylene or Nylon can be cleaned with common household cleaners such as Fantastic or Formula 409 to remove more stubborn stains and/or grease.
  • Rugs manufactured to be Indoor/Outdoor can accept a periodic over-all cleaning by spraying a mixture of soap and water over the entire rug and then thoroughly rinsing with a garden hose.
  • Viscose & Chenille blended yarns rugs are not suitable for high traffic area.

KNOWING YOUR RUG

All rugs are handmade by skilled artisans, or in a specialty manufacturing facility, and are checked to meet quality standards before shipment. The following seven simple facts will help you to understand your rug and prolong its life.

Color
No two rugs are the same. Slight color variations are common for handmade rugs, as dye lots may change
over a period of time.

Odor
Odors are caused by dyes, yarns, and shipping for long distances in sealed wrap. Most odors dissipate within a week once the rug is removed from the shipping wrap.

Shedding
All wool rugs will shed. Shedding will subside over time, depending on traffic and wear. It typically takes 20-25 vacuums, at a minimum, to curtail shedding. Some will shed for the lifetime of the rug.

Fading
If exposed to direct sunlight, rug colors typically fade over time, even if they are fade resistant.

Creases
If your rug has been rolled or folded for shipping, it may include creases. Creases should disappear within a week or two when the rug is laid out flat. Reverse rolling the rug overnight will help.

Wear
As a rule, rugs of all materials and constructions should be rotated every 3-6 months to balance color and evenly distribute wear.

Sprouts
Loose fibers, or sprouts, are a normal part of the break-in process of handmade rugs. To remove sprouts, use a small pair of scissors to snip them off even with the pile. Do not pull the fiber out, as this can cause a deterioration of the backing.

Materials
While Kaleen uses the highest quality materials in all products, some materials are more delicate and require special care. For example, while viscose lends a high sheen, luster and softness to a rug, it is a material made of wood pulp that is broken down and formed into fibers. These fibers are much more delicate than wool and not advised for high-traffic areas. In addition, special care must be taken when cleaning. Please see more details on cleaning your viscose rug in the Special Cleaning Guideline section below.

MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RUG

How to Vacuum Your Rug

  • 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.
  • Many of today’s upright vacuums are super high powered. The high suction can pull out the threads from the back of a rug and cause “sprouts.” Use the handheld attachment to vacuum your area rug, whenever possible.
  • If you choose not to (or are unable to use) the handheld attachment on your upright vacuum, make sure to turn off the vacuum’s beater bar, as it can pull fibers from the face of the rug and cause the rug to fuzz. If the beater bar cannot be turned off, set it on the highest position possible before vacuuming. Then, carefully place the vacuum on the rug.
    • If the rug has surged (finished) edges, refrain from continuously running the vacuum over the edges, as this will loosen fibers around the edges and cause them to deteriorate.
    • Avoid running the vacuum over the fringes at the ends of the rug, as fraying may occur. Use the handheld attachment to clean the fringes.
    • If a rug is reversible, make sure to vacuum both sides. This will remove grit and grime that can prematurely wear out your rug.

How to Clean Your Rug

  • Clean spills immediately. Once a stain is set, it becomes much more difficult to clean.
  • Never rub a spill, as this forces the spill deeper into the rug. Instead, blot the stain with a clean white cloth
  • For wool rugs, use lukewarm water to remove any residual stain, as wool is more prone to bleeding and staining than synthetic fibers.
  • Always use clean water to remove any residual cleaner, and dry towels to absorb any remaining moisture.

Professional Cleaning For Your Handmade Rug

  • Always use a professional area rug cleaning expert. Cleaning a handmade rug requires a process different than cleaning wall-to-wall carpet.
  • Inspect the rug with a rug cleaning expert prior to cleaning. Get a signed receipt and guarantee of work before the work is performed.

RUG PADS: PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT AND YOURSELF

The proper rug pad can:

  • Extend the life of the rug by reducing wear and tear and enhancing air circulation between the rug and floor.
  • Help to prevent accidents by holding the rug in place, minimizing movement and slippage.
  • Add extra comfort underfoot by providing additional cushioning and support.
  • Protect all floor types, including both hard surfaces and carpets.
  • A rug pad provides a durable, long-lasting foundation that protects a rug for years to come

FIBERS

The starting point of carpet is the fiber, a fine thread-like unit that is converted into yarn then tufted or woven into carpet. There are only four primary fibers used in carpet today: Wool, Nylon, Polypropylene (Olefin) and Wool Blends. The terms “carpet” and “rug” are sometimes used interchangeably. Rug generally means a textile floor covering that is not fastened down and that does not extend over the entire floor. Carpet usually refers to a floor covering that is installed and fastened down from wall to wall. Rug fibers would include these fibers and many others.

WOOL
Wool is the classic choice for floor covering material. Wool has been used for carpet making since ancient times. It will last throughout the years. Its superior properties assure quality, function and design. Wool is an animal fiber taken from the hair of the sheep. These protein fibers have characteristics that make wool the premium classic floor covering material. Today, wool used for carpet making comes from sheep in countries like New Zealand, Argentina and the United Kingdom.

NYLON
DuPont first introduced nylon in 1938, since then; nylon has been developed further and improved. Nylon is a petrochemical synthetic fiber made from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. Today’s greatly improved ‘treated nylon fibers’ are sometimes referred to as ‘sixth generation’. This started the era of modern synthetic fibers for apparel, industrial applications and tufted carpet. Nylon has good resilience, soil resistance, abrasion retention, durability, and color retention. With issues such as soiling and cleaning, nylon performs very well and is resistant to staining if it receives a stain-resistant treatment. This enable enhanced removal of soil and most common household food and beverage stains through professional cleaning.

POLYPROPYLENE/OLEFIN (Royaltron)
Was first introduced into the carpet industry from Italy in the late 1950’s. Offers good stain and moisture resistance. Proven performance features, unique aesthetics and exceptional value for both residential and commercial carpeting. These yarns are offered in a range of deniers, which are twisted and heat set. Polypropylene is the fastest growing carpet fiber in popularity. It is naturally stain and fade resistant.

TENCEL
TENCEL® is a natural, man made fiber derived from wood pulp (Eucalyptus) sourced from sustainable tree farms. Tencel® textiles are created through the use of cutting edge green technology with a minimal impact on the environment.

BLENDS
Different fibers can be mixed to create carpets with various qualities in performance and style. A popular blend is the 80% wool and 20% nylon for strength and stain resistance. More modern blends combine polyester with nylon, as well as various acrylic blends.

SISAL
Sisal’s textured look is a favorite of interior designers. Sisal is a natural fiber derived from the ‘agave sisalana’ cactus plant. Sisal grows in semi-arid regions. The largest producers of sisal are located in northeast Brazil and Africa. Sisal fibers (which can be up to three feet long) are harvested by hand from the leaves of the cactus plant. Sisal is not the same fiber as coir or jute. Sisal is stronger and more durable than other natural fibers. Sisal is therefore preferred for carpet and rugs. Living rooms, family rooms, entry halls, bedrooms, computer workstations, home offices, exercise rooms and covered patios. Natural fibers provide a massaging underfoot, which is preferred for rooms where you do not sit on the floor. Sisal should be used in a covered area protected from the elements. Natural fiber rugs are highly recommended for enclosed and screened porches. Do not expose to rainfall or allow to become water-saturated (i.e. sisal and seagrass are NOT for bathroom, sauna, Jacuzzi, uncovered patio deck, swimming pool or roof top patios).

JUTE
Although traditionally used as carpet backing, is now being used for Jute area rugs and carpet. Jute is a long, shiny fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. The fibers are off-white to brown and 3 to 15 feet (0.9 to 4.5 meters) long. Jute fibers are composed primarily of the plant materials cellulose, lignin, and pectin. Jute is a rainy season crop that grows best in warm, humid climates. China, India, and Bangladesh rank as the top producers, where other than area rugs they are also woven into curtains, chair coverings, carpets, and burlap. Its soft texture makes Jute rugs a welcome choice for bedroom floors, but it is not a practical material for areas of heavy