Care & Maintenance Guidelines
A handcrafted rug rewards a little attention. These guidelines will help your Zoya rug keep its colour, texture and character for many years.
Zoya rugs are handcrafted using natural fibres and traditional weaving techniques. Proper care will help preserve the appearance, structure and longevity of your rug for many years.
Due to the artisanal nature of our rugs, slight variations in colour, texture and weave are considered part of their unique character.
1. Regular Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming helps remove dust and grit that can settle into the fibres of your rug.
We recommend:
- vacuuming once or twice per week
- using a vacuum with retracted or soft brushes
- vacuuming in the direction of the pile where possible.
Avoid powerful vacuum heads with rotating bristles, as these can damage delicate fibres.
For looped or textured rugs, use gentle suction to prevent pulling the yarn.
2. Rotating Your Rug
To ensure even wear and exposure to light, rotate your rug every three to six months.
This is particularly important in areas with:
- heavy foot traffic
- direct sunlight
- furniture placement
3. Managing Shedding
Natural fibre rugs, particularly wool rugs, may shed during the initial months of use.
This is a normal characteristic of wool and will reduce over time with regular vacuuming.
Shedding does not affect the durability or quality of the rug.
4. Cleaning Spills & Stains
Spills should be addressed immediately to prevent staining.
If a spill occurs:
- Blot the area gently with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.
- Do not rub or scrub the fibres.
- Use minimal moisture when cleaning.
For persistent stains, we recommend consulting a professional rug cleaning specialist experienced in natural fibre rugs.
5. Professional Cleaning
Professional cleaning is recommended every 12 to 24 months depending on use.
Specialist cleaning is particularly recommended for:
- wool rugs
- bamboo silk rugs
- handcrafted rugs
- high pile or textured rugs.
Avoid harsh chemicals or steam cleaning unless advised by a professional.
6. Protecting Your Rug
To maintain your rug’s condition:
- use a quality rug underlay to prevent movement and wear
- avoid placing rugs in consistently damp environments
- protect rugs from prolonged direct sunlight where possible.
Underlays also provide additional cushioning and help extend the life of your rug.
7. Furniture Placement
Heavy furniture may create indentations in the rug pile.
To reduce pressure marks:
- use furniture pads under legs
- periodically reposition furniture
- gently brush or fluff the pile if necessary.
8. Fibre Specific Considerations
Zoya rugs are produced using a variety of natural fibres. Each fibre has unique characteristics.
Wool Rugs
- durable and resilient
- naturally stain resistant
- may shed initially.
Bamboo Silk Rugs
- soft, luminous finish
- delicate fibre requiring gentle cleaning
- best suited for low to medium traffic areas.
Flatweave Rugs
- low profile and durable
- suitable for high traffic spaces.
9. Long Term Storage
If storing your rug for an extended period:
- ensure the rug is professionally cleaned first
- roll the rug (do not fold)
- store in a dry, ventilated space
- wrap in breathable fabric.
Specialist care from Zoya
Our rugs are professionally and traditionally washed by hand, away from the home, so dust, debris and dirt trapped within the fibres can be properly removed. We also clean rugs purchased from other stores, and offer repair services. Both are available in Cape Town only, with collection and delivery within Cape Town and surrounding suburbs.
Find out more about our cleaning and repair services
Planning to add a protective treatment to a new rug? Scotch Guarding is available at checkout at R140 per square metre. For help with anything in this guide, contact our team.