Carpet Care and Maintenance

A handmade carpet looked after properly will last several generations. The fibres improve with careful use, the colours develop depth over time, and a well-maintained piece becomes more valuable, not less. These are the things that matter most.

Vacuum regularly

Vacuum your carpet at least once a week. Use a suction-only head with the beater bar disabled. Beater bars are designed for synthetic pile and will damage the structure of hand-knotted wool or silk over time. Vacuum in the direction of the pile and never vacuum the fringes directly. For silk carpets, use the lowest suction setting available.

Protect from direct sunlight

UV radiation is the primary cause of colour loss in handmade carpets. In Singapore's equatorial climate, even a window that seems modest can deliver significant UV load to a carpet positioned nearby, particularly between late morning and mid-afternoon.

Keep the carpet out of direct sun during peak UV hours. UV-filtering window film applied to existing glass is an effective and relatively inexpensive solution that does not affect the appearance of the room. Rotate the carpet 180 degrees every six to twelve months to distribute any light exposure evenly across the pile.

Treat spills immediately

Blot spills immediately with a clean dry cloth. Work from the outside of the spill inward to prevent spreading. Do not rub or scrub. Do not apply water directly to silk carpets. For anything beyond a surface spill, contact us before attempting to treat the stain. The wrong product applied quickly can cause permanent colour loss that is impossible to reverse.

Use a quality underlay

A proper underlay does several things: it prevents abrasion between the carpet and the floor, reduces compression of the pile under foot traffic, and provides a moisture barrier in Singapore's humid conditions. Use felt or natural rubber. Never use foam-backed pads under silk or fine wool carpets. Foam degrades in Singapore's heat and can bond to the carpet backing over time, causing damage that is very difficult to reverse.

Cut the underlay 2 to 3cm smaller than the carpet on all sides so it cannot be seen at the edges.

Rotate the carpet periodically

Even with careful light management, some areas of a room receive more light and foot traffic than others. Rotating the carpet 180 degrees every six to twelve months distributes wear and light exposure evenly, prevents the formation of faded bands, and extends the useful life of the piece considerably.

Professional cleaning

Even a well-maintained carpet accumulates dust and particulate matter within the pile that routine vacuuming does not fully remove. A professional wash every three to five years is appropriate for most pieces in regular use. Households with children, pets or heavy foot traffic may benefit from more frequent cleaning. Always use a specialist in handmade carpets. Generic carpet cleaning services routinely use chemicals and methods suited to synthetic broadloom that can permanently damage natural dyes and wool or silk fibres.

What not to use

The following should never come into contact with a handmade carpet: bleach or any chlorine-based product, alkaline detergents or general floor cleaners, commercial carpet spray designed for synthetic pile, petroleum-based solvents or oil-based stain removers, and steam cleaners used directly on silk or fine wool pile.

Singapore-specific considerations

Singapore's humidity and equatorial sun create conditions that most carpet care guides written for temperate climates do not account for. Air-conditioned rooms help control humidity, but check for damp patches near aircon vents that may sit above or beside the carpet. West-facing rooms receive intense low-angle afternoon sun. UV-filtering film on these windows makes a meaningful difference. Carpets placed directly on concrete or poorly ventilated tile are at higher risk of mildew developing in the backing. Use a breathable underlay and allow air circulation beneath the carpet where possible. Moth and carpet beetle activity is more frequent in Singapore's warm climate than in cooler countries. Check undisturbed corners and under furniture every few months, particularly in areas that are rarely moved.

Storing a carpet

If a carpet needs to be stored during renovation, a house move or seasonal rotation, roll it with the pile facing inward. Never fold it. A fold line can crack the foundation fibres and leave a permanent crease. Wrap the rolled carpet in breathable cotton or muslin, not plastic. Store it horizontally in a dry, ventilated space elevated off the floor. Place cedar sachets within the wrapping as a natural moth deterrent.

If you are unsure about the right care for a specific piece, our team is available on WhatsApp at +65 8868 4415. Do not apply any treatment to a piece of value without checking first.