Cleaning & Maintenance
Outside of normal business hours, the below spot-treatment and long-term guidelines are recommended. However the best course of action is always to contact a showroom for guidance.
Make sure you have identified the correct material of your carpet from the options below, as maintenance and cleaning procedure may vary by material.
Wild Silk
Emergency Spot-Treatment
Spills
Fort Street Studio’s wild silk carpets are inherently strong & durable. The high gum content of wild silk, high dying temperatures and high knot-count ensures that most spills will bead on top of the dense pile before being absorbed into the silk fibers.
Blot the spill with clean absorbent towels. Do not rub or scrub. Blot to remove as much of the liquid as possible and let the area air dry. Do not apply heat – let the fibers dry naturally.
If a stain remains, use a damp rag and repeat the process of blotting, drying and brushing. Room temperature club soda or seltzer may also aid in removing the stain.
Once dry, a sheen mark may appear. This is not a permanent stain, but rather occurs when the wild silk pile has “fallen” from the weight of the liquid. Lightly brush the pile with a soft-bristled nylon brush. Use horizontal strokes to help the pile stand upright.
Avoid
Never use standard carpet cleaning solutions that are readily available in retail outlets. The harsh chemicals may destroy the silk fibers and alter the carpet color. In most cases, quick action and water or club soda will successfully tackle the spill.
Do not steam-clean Fort Street Studio wild silk carpets. Steaming will de-gum the silk and fade the colors, ruining the soft matte finish of the carpet.
Professional Cleaning
For persistent or oil based stains, contact a professional cleaner accustomed to cleaning fine hand-knotted, antique, or oriental carpets. Stay away from cleaners who recommend steaming the rug. If your cleaner has any questions, please have them contact their closest showroom.
Long Term Care
Shedding & Sprouting
The silk pile of Fort Street Studio’s carpets is hand cut and may shed upon initial installation and usage. This “shedding” often appears as balls of fluff on the surface of the carpet and subsides after an initial “break-in” period.
Some silk fibers that are embedded in the pile and missed in the hand cutting process may rise to the surface with normal use. These longer silk yarn strands missed in hand cutting that “sprout” to the surface of the pile, should simply be clipped to be even with the surrounding pile.
With regular weekly vacuuming, these issues become less of a regular occurrence.
Avoid
Do not use a vacuum with a vigorous rotating bristle brush. Aggressive rotating brushes may tear or fray the silk fibers. A vacuum attachment with a stationary soft brush edge is recommended.
Rug Pads
Use only natural materials as padding under your carpet, such as rubber. This helps to protect the knots of the carpet on the back surface and keeps the carpet from moving on the floor. In a hot, humid climate, no padding is necessary.
Wear Patterns & Furniture Marks
Turn the carpet 180 degrees every 12 months to eliminate the appearance of traffic patterns and uneven softening of colors from light exposure. Coasters under heavy furniture or pointed legs are helpful. Marks from furniture are easily removed by lightly running your fingertip over the pile or brushing with a soft-bristled nylon brush.
Storage
Fort Street Studio wild silk rugs should be rolled on a fabric tube with the pile on the inside of the roll for storage. Never fold a Fort Street Studio wild silk carpet. The rolled carpet should be stored flat and not stood up on its end.
Wool
Emergency Spot-Treatment
Spills
If a water-based spill occurs, douse the area completely with water. Press, blot and rub in the direction of the pile with a dry cloth. Continue to saturate the area with water and blot, and then allow it to air dry once the stain is removed.
If you find a dry stain, scrape the excess of the stain, mix a small amount of neutral-PH soap with water, and gently rub the area with a clean towel. Thoroughly rinse with water to remove all traces of soap.
Professional Cleaning
For persistent or oil-based stains, contact a professional cleaner accustomed to cleaning fine hand-knotted, antique, or oriental carpets.
Long Term Care
Shedding & Sprouting
The pile of Fort Street Studio’s hand-knotted carpets is hand cut. For the first few months after installation and usage, wool may pill in the form of lint and rise to the surface. This dimishes over time with weekly vacuuming.
Strands of wool that are missed when the pile is cut may emerge with normal use. Carefully snip off the threads that have risen above the surface of the carpet with a household scissor.
Vacuuming
The carpets should be vacuumed a minimum of once a week on a low-moderate setting, to ensure removal of lint and to maintain the sheen of the rug. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner with an aggressive brush on a regular basis. The back of the carpet should be vacuumed at least once a year.
Rug Pads
Use a natural rubber pad under the carpet to avoid carpet slippage. This helps to protect the knots of the carpet on the back surface and keeps the carpet from moving on the floor.
Wear Patterns & Furniture Marks
Turn the carpet 180 degrees every 12 months to eliminate the appearance of traffic patterns and uneven softening of colors from light exposure. Marks from furniture can be easily removed by first wetting the depressed areas and then allowing them to dry naturally or with the use of a warm iron. Over time they will disappear on their own due to the resiliency of the high quality wool.
Thai Silk
Emergency Spot-Treatment
Spills
If a water-based spill occurs, douse the area completely with water. Press, blot and rub in the direction of the weave with a dry cloth. Continue to saturate the area with water and blot, and then allow it to air dry once the stain is removed.
If you find a dry stain, scrape the excess of the stain, mix a small amount of neutral-PH soap with water, and gently rub the area with a clean towel. Thoroughly rinse with water to remove all traces of soap.
A mild solution of white wine vinegar + water will restore luster and shine if a portion becomes dulled after cleaning. Avoid harsh detergents & chemicals.
Professional Cleaning
These silk flatweaves respond best to professional steam cleaning. For persistent or oil based stains, contact a professional cleaner accustomed to cleaning fine hand-knotted, antique, or oriental carpets.
Long Term Care
Rubbing the surface of a silk flatweave is very bad for the surface fibers. Take heed to avoid walking on silk flatweaves with rubber-soled shoes, or using furniture with casters or wheels. This will pull at the fibers at the surface and create sprouts, which can be carefully snipped off with household scissors.
Vacuuming
To avoid mussing the surface fibers, sweeping is generally preferred with a flatweave. The carpets should be vacuumed only on low setting with a very gentle brush, to maintain the sheen of the rug. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner with an aggressive rotating brush.
Rug Pads
Silk flatweaves especially must be installed with a natural rubber pad under the carpet at all times to avoid carpet slippage. This helps to protect the surface fibers on the back of the carpet and keeps the carpet from moving on the floor.
Wool + Cultivated Silk
Emergency Spot-Treatment
Spills
If a water-based spill occurs, douse the area completely with water. Press, blot and rub in the direction of the pile with a dry cloth. Continue to saturate the area with water and blot, and then allow it to air dry once the stain is removed.
If you find a dry stain, scrape the excess of the stain, mix a small amount of neutral-PH soap with water, and gently rub the area with a clean towel. Thoroughly rinse with water to remove all traces of soap.
Professional Cleaning
For persistent or oil based stains, contact a professional cleaner accustomed to cleaning fine hand-knotted, antique, or oriental carpets.
Long Term Care
Shedding & Sprouting
The pile of Fort Street Studio’s hand-knotted wool and silk carpets is hand cut. For the first few months after installation and usage, wool and silk may pill in the form of lint and rise to the surface. This dimishes over time with weekly vacuuming.
Strands of wool and silk that are missed when the pile is cut may emerge with normal use. Carefully snip off the threads that have risen above the surface of the carpet with a household scissor.
Vacuuming
The carpets should be vacuumed a minimum of once a week on a low-moderate setting, to ensure removal of lint and to maintain the sheen of the rug. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner with an aggressive brush on a regular basis. The back of the carpet should be vacuumed at least once a year.
Rug Pads
Use a natural rubber pad under the carpet to avoid carpet slippage. This helps to protect the knots of the carpet on the back surface and keeps the carpet from moving on the floor.
Wear Patterns & Furniture Marks
Turn the carpet 180 degrees every 12 months to eliminate the appearance of traffic patterns and uneven softening of colors from light exposure. Marks from furniture can be easily removed by first wetting the depressed areas and then allowing them to dry naturally or with the use of a warm iron. Over time they will disappear on their own due to the resiliency of the high quality wool.