5 Things You Should Never Do to a Persian Rug

A handmade Persian rug isn't just décor — it's a hand-knotted artifact, often passed between generations. As the only specialized rug spa in the Okanagan, we see the damage well-meaning owners do every week. Here are the top five mistakes to avoid.

1. Never use grocery-store carpet cleaner. Most contain harsh detergents and optical brighteners that strip natural lanolin from wool, dull dyes, and accelerate fiber breakdown.

2. Never let a wet spill sit. Blot — don't rub — with a clean white towel. Rubbing pushes the spill deeper and frays delicate knots.

3. Never beat a Persian rug. The old-school 'beat it on the line' method cracks foundation threads. A proper duster (like our Wolverine) lifts dirt without trauma.

4. Never store it folded for long periods. Fold creases turn into permanent breaks. Roll, pile-side in, with acid-free paper.

5. Never DIY-wash a hand-knotted rug. Tap water in Kelowna isn't pH-balanced for natural dyes. Even one wash at home can cause irreversible color bleed.