Warps and wefts are the basis of cashmere carpets, while the pile gives protection against wear. To increase the life of your carpet, these should be cleaned regularly because sand and grit, for example, under shoes are harmful for the carpet. Wear and tear first become apparent along the edges and fringes.
A hand-made carpet should fulfil one main function, namely being walked on daily. As a result of the production and treatment, Cashmir Concept carpets are very hard-wearing, as a result there is no reason to fear premature wear under normal daily use. Normal wear, after years of use, can even help your exclusive carpet to look even more beautiful.
Vacuum Cleaning Carpets
Carpets should be vacuum cleaned about once a week. The direction of the pile can easily be determined: stroke the carpet with your hand. If the pile feels soft and not bristly then this is the direction of the pile.
Move the carpet brush/head on the vacuum cleaner in the direction of the pile. When you have reached the end of the carpet, lift the brush/head and go back to the beginning and repeat the procedure.
Attention: Fringes should not be sucked into the head of the vacuum cleaner!
The surface of new handmade carpets can fluff somewhat. This is not damaging to the carpet, it is just remaining wool left over after the pile was cut. This usually disappears after 1-2 times of vacuum cleaning; this can differ, however, from carpet to carpet. Do not try to remove all the remaining wool in one go, this can damage the carpet!
The traditional method of beating the carpet is not advisable, since this could damage the knots of the carpet.
Indentations / Pressure Marks in the Carpet from Furniture and other Objects
Every carpet owner knows this. After a time furniture and other objects make indentations and pressure marks in the carpets. These are easier to remove than you would think. Here are some simplified steps:
- Soak a cloth in cold water and lay it on the appropriate pressure mark.
- Afterwards iron the pressure mark on the carpet several times in the direction of the pile until the mark disappears (if necessary the procedure can be repeated).
Change the Position of the Carpet Regularly
It is advisable to turn the carpet 180° at regular intervals (appr. every 1-3 months).
This prevents fading of the carpet due to direct sunlight. In addition, wear through treading will be reduced if the carpet is regularly turned.
Cleaning the Carpet
To have many years of enjoyment with your carpet, you should, after a few years, take the carpet to cleaners specialising handmade carpets. There the carpets will be treated and cleaned by professionals. This is short description of the method:
- The carpets are shook to remove sand and grit
- Special treatment for small stains
- Carpet is rinsed with water, afterwards the liquid is pressed out of the carpet
- The carpet is hung up in a drying chamber and, if necessary, stretched
This method gives the carpet its clear, glowing colours back, if these were faded, and the pile is more elastic and has a new lustre.
Storing Carpets
The best method of storing a carpet, when it is not laid, is to roll it up. For this the carpet should be stored in a cool, dry place, i.e. if possible, not in a loft or a cellar. Here the carpet would be exposed to harmful insects, and would be, due to its poison-free, natural materials, easy prey for them.
Should you, after all, still have to store your carpet in a cellar, then lay some planks under the carpet as a protection against moisture.
Direct sunlight during storage is also not advisable since this can easily cause bleaching.
The carpet should be rolled in the following manner:
- The best way is to carefully roll the (dry!) carpet round a cardboard tube to avoid creases and wrinkles, with the pile on the inside.
- Tie up the roll with tear proof tape or with twine and lay the carpet in a plastic sack (it is best to seal this with adhesive tape).
- Store this roll in a horizontal position to prevent the carpet being deformed.
- Every 2-3 months the carpet should be unrolled and vacuum cleaned. While doing it, check the pile to see whether insects are attacking the carpet.
A Tip: A Tip: Put mothballs in the rolled up carpet and change them every 2-3 months during the unrolling and cleaning routine.
Repairing Carpets:
It is quite possible to repair damaged handmade carpets. For example, one can rectify loose or missing fringes, damage to the decoration on edge beading of the carpet, small holes in the carpet or also worn out and bleached colours. This kind of damage should be repaired by carpet specialists.
These instructions are only exemplary. To maintain the quality and look of your carpet for a lifetime, always have your carpet cleaned by professionals. We will not accept any liability for damage caused by improper cleaning.