Turenk Turkish Runner Rug

Taking proper care of your Vintage Turkish Rug will help preserve its beauty, durability, and authentic character for many years. Below are our recommended steps for cleaning and maintaining handwoven Turkish rugs:

Regular Cleaning

We recommend vacuuming your vintage rug once or twice a month to remove dust and dirt. Use a suction-only vacuum or an attachment without a rotary brush, as this protects the wool fibers and hand-knotted foundation from unnecessary wear.

Flipping & Rotating

Every few months, flip your rug and vacuum the back to clear out grit from the base. Rotating your Turkish rug once a year ensures even wear and helps prevent uneven fading over time.

Professional Hand-Wash

Every 3–5 years, we suggest a professional hand-wash for vintage Turkish rugs. Please avoid steam cleaning or dry cleaning, as these methods can damage natural wool fibers and vegetable dyes. A safe cleaning method involves pH-balanced soap and a soft-bristled brush, followed by gentle rinsing.

How to Handle Spills
• Organic spills (wine, coffee, juice): Blot immediately with a clean cloth or paper towel. Apply a small amount of water and blot again—do not rub, as this may push the stain deeper into the fibers.
• Persistent stains: Use a very mild detergent, such as diluted dish soap, following the blot-and-rinse method.
• Oily or dense spills: Scoop excess material with a spoon before blotting. If the stain remains, seek professional rug cleaning services experienced with handmade rugs.

Handwoven Turkish rugs with rich, saturated colors may experience slight color bleeding when spot-cleaned. Always test a small hidden area first and dry thoroughly. To prevent fading of vintage rugs, avoid direct sunlight exposure over long periods.

Organic stains (wine, coffee, juice): Blot immediately with a clean cloth—don't rub, just blot! Then repeat with a small amount of cold water. If the stain persists, mix a small amount of clear, unscented dish soap in a bowl. Gently scrub with a toothbrush, then blot the stain with a cloth. Alternate between brushing and blotting. Remember: no rubbing, just blotting!

Stubborn stains: Club soda can be a magical cleaner. Apply club soda to a cloth and blot until the stain lifts.

Oily stains: First scoop up the excess with a spoon, then follow the method above.

If the stain won't budge, take it to a professional rug cleaner—they'll gently clean with pH-balanced shampoo and a soft-bristled brush, rinse, and repeat this process several times.

Is Fading Normal?

Yes! If your rug is exposed to direct sunlight, it will fade over time. We love this "lived-in" look—the patina carrying traces of your daily life, reflecting what truly makes your rug yours. But if you don't want that, pay attention to where you place your rug and rotate it once a month to prevent uneven fading.

Are Wavy Edges a Problem?

Nope! Hand-woven rugs sometimes have wavy edges—this is completely natural and relates to the tension on the loom. We love this extra character—it's one of many beautiful, unique details that come from handmade products.

What About Loose Threads?

In the middle of the rug: Don't pull! This can damage the overall structure. If it's a pile rug, cut the thread to pile height. If it's a flatweave, gently tuck the thread back into the weave (the eye of a sewing needle is really helpful for this).