A wool kilim is one of the easier rugs to look after. It is thin and light, it has no pile to trap grit, and you can vacuum both faces. The routine is short, and most of it is done in a few minutes.
The short routine
Vacuum on low suction, no beater bar, both sides. Blot spills with a clean cloth and do not rub. Rotate the rug every few months. Keep it out of long direct sun and put a pad underneath. See our range of kilim rugs, including the Afghanistan kilim rugs. The same routine suits other flatweave rugs.
Vacuum both sides
Vacuum once or twice a week in a busy room. Use suction only: switch off the beater bar, because a spinning brush can catch the weft and pull threads. A kilim has no pile, so grit sits in the weave and between the warp threads. Vacuum the front, then turn the rug over and vacuum the back, which lifts the grit that has worked through. Lift the vacuum over the fringe, or brush it gently with a soft brush.
Because a kilim is light, you can also take it outside and shake it, or hang it over a rail and tap it with a soft broom.
When something spills
Act fast. Press a clean, dry cloth on the spill and lift, working from the edge in so it does not spread. Do not rub: rubbing pushes the spill deeper and roughens the fibre. Then dab with a cloth dampened in cold water and blot dry. Avoid hot water, and do not soak the rug.
Do not use bleach. Lift solids with a spoon before you blot. Test any cleaner on a hidden corner first. If a stain stays, ask a professional rug cleaner rather than scrubbing.
Rotate it
Turn the rug through 180 degrees every few months. That spreads footfall and sunlight over the whole surface, so one end does not wear or fade faster than the other. Because a kilim is reversible, you can also turn it over.
Sun and moisture
Long direct sun fades dyes. If a patch of the rug sits in strong light every day, use a curtain or move it. Keep the rug dry: a rug that stays damp can develop mildew and a musty smell. If a kilim does get wet, lift it, dry it flat and away from direct heat.
Use a rug pad
A kilim is thin, so on a hard floor it can slide and ruck up. A non-slip pad underneath holds it flat and cushions it, which reduces wear on the underside. Choose a pad slightly smaller than the rug so it does not show at the edges.
When to call a professional
Ask a professional rug cleaner about a deep clean every so often, and about any stain that does not lift. Tell them the rug is a wool kilim, so they use a method suited to a flatweave. For the wider routine, our guide to caring for a wool rug covers shedding and storage. If you are still choosing, read what a kilim rug is.
Questions we get asked
How do I vacuum a kilim rug?
Use suction only, with the beater bar off. Vacuum the front, then the back, and lift the vacuum over the fringe.
Can I wash a kilim rug?
Do not put a kilim in a washing machine. Spot clean small spills by blotting with a cloth dampened in cold water. For a deep clean, use a professional rug cleaner and tell them it is wool.
How do I get a stain out of a kilim?
Blot at once with a clean, dry cloth from the edge inwards, then dab with cold water. Do not rub or use bleach. If the stain stays, ask a professional.
Does a kilim need a rug pad?
We recommend one. A kilim is thin, so a non-slip pad stops it sliding and helps it lie flat.
