Shop Ten New Stripes. Shot on the Côte des Basques.
Brought into the world by many people and very few machines, your new rug was designed to age gracefully.
Your rug is handmade from wool, one of nature's most resilient natural fibers. For both basic care considerations and targeted cleaning, the base material, married with our hand-knotted and handwoven constructions are a resilient starting point for a rug’s long and beautiful life.
For construction-specific care, refer to the relevant section of this guide.
Unroll the rug as soon as you can so that it can breathe and the fibers can relax. Curling edges and compressed pile are normal upon opening and will relax on their own over the first few days.
If you want to encourage the process to go faster, you may put some weight on the flattened edges of the rug face-up, or you can reverse the roll and have the rug lay face-down for a few hours.
A residential steam iron on the “wool” setting may be used to flatten a stubborn curling corner – use the iron only on the back of the rug for any knotted constructions (Rif, Atlas, Rabat, Royale and Siroua), for flatwoven constructions (Zahara and Safaa) you may iron directly on the face, more details included by construction below. In both cases, keep the iron moving to ensure a distribution of heat over the fibers.
New wool has a natural lanolin scent that may be present when you first open your rug. It is most noticeable with higher-pile constructions like Atlas and Siroua and will dissipate on its own.
As your rug settles, you may notice some white threads rising through the pile. This is a standard occurrence for handwoven rugs. These fibers can be snipped near the base of the knot with small scissors. Take care not to cut the bottom structure of the rug. In the event that there is a thread that rises above the rest of the pile, you may carefully cut the thread to be the same length as the others. This is also a natural occurrence.
If you need to store your rug before placing it, open both ends of the original packaging to let air circulate. Better still, unwrap the rug entirely, give it a shake, and re-wrap it loosely. The goal is a wrap that allows the fibers to expand slightly while allowing some air to pass through. Tight, sealed packaging can trap humidity over time, and you want to avoid moisture build-up. Tuck cedar blocks or lavender sachets into the wrapped rug to deter moths naturally. If you prefer something more straightforward, mothballs are effective, though they carry a chemical scent.
Store the rug in a cool, dry place, elevated off the floor, and check on it every couple of weeks. For long-term storage, a reputable local rug specialist can wrap it in polyethylene and offer additional recommendations.
Every BENI rug benefits from a good rug pad – it gives both the base of the rug and your floor added protection, increases softness underfoot, and keeps the rug exactly where you put it. A pad also helps reduce surface furniture marks by distributing weight more evenly across the pile.
Smaller-dimensioned rugs and thinner constructions benefit most from a rug pad to avoid slippage and migration. Rif, Rabat, Royale, and Safaa especially benefit from a pad to keep them in place and protect the structure of the rug and your floors.
BENI rugs are made from natural materials and we use the highest quality dyes available. Strong, direct sunlight may cause colors to fade over time. Curtains, blinds, or UV window film will reduce the chances of fading. Rotate your rug every three to six months to help with even sun exposure.
Wool is resilient, and furniture marks can almost always be reversed. The key is moisture and gentle heat to help the fibers relax and return to their original position.
The most effective method for wool is steam, and we recommend a handheld or residential clothes steamer. Hold the steam attachment several inches above the marked area and allow the steam to penetrate the compressed fibers for up to two minutes. Once the area is sufficiently dampened, use a rug rake or your fingers to gently lift and work the fibers back up. Give the area time to cool and dry before assessing the result. Repeat if needed.
Ice cubes are a slower but equally effective option. Place a couple of ice cubes directly on the mark and let them melt at room temperature. The gradual rehydration softens the compressed fibers. Blot away excess water and then lift the fibers with a rug rake or fork.
Royale is the most likely to show furniture marks, given its dense, fine pile. The same methods apply, but take extra care with heat. Steam from a distance and work gently.
Some initial shedding is to be expected on Atlas, Rabat, Rif, and Siroua knotted constructions. Siroua has the most fiber of any BENI construction and will shed accordingly at first, while Rif has the least. We recommend not using a vacuum with a beater brush – they remove more fiber more quickly, and it is better to let any natural shedding occur over time.
A rug rake is a wide-toothed grooming tool designed for knotted rugs with a pile. Drawn lightly through the pile, it lifts and separates compressed fibers, restoring texture and surface life after cleaning (to loosen any stiffness left by the drying process); between vacuuming to revive the pile; and for restoring vitality after heavy use or furniture placement where the pile has been flattened. It is one of the most useful tools you can own for a knotted rug, most applicable in our collections Atlas, Rabat, Royale, and Siroua.
It is important to deal with stains as immediately as possible.
Wool is a naturally wicking material and pushes moisture up towards the ends of its fibers rather than absorbing it down to its base. The lanolin naturally present in wool fiber creates a subtle barrier against dirt and stains. It is naturally antimicrobial and odor-resistant. It is resilient under foot traffic and pressure.
Please review the general cleaning recommendations for all constructions here, and refer to each individual construction for more targeted information below.
If the spill was especially wet, raise that section of the rug off the floor immediately and direct a fan at it to help it dry faster. Do not leave wet wool resting directly on a wooden floor, prop or drape the rug so air can circulate both above and below. If that is not practical, try to remove as much moisture from the affected area periodically. Do not put the rug flat against the floor until you are confident it is dry – trapped moisture between a rug and the floor is how mold and mildew start.
Our yarn-dyed colors are resilient and will not bleed with the use of diluted vinegar and baking soda. If you want to use any cleaning agents outside of our recommendations, there will be risk involved. It would be best to first spot test your product in a small, hidden area. When in doubt, or for any spill that is large enough that it has soaked through to the back, we recommend professional rug cleaning.
If you’re dealing with an issue more significant than a spill – a flood, a burst pipe, or an area of the rug becoming completely soaked, the priority is to get the rug dry as quickly as possible. We recommend calling a rug professional as quickly as possible to schedule a professional cleaning.
All BENI knotted rugs are tied and secured in individual knots on the warp. For the knotted constructions of Rif, Atlas, Rabat, Royale, and Siroua, a pet scratching or clawing at these rugs is unlikely to cause serious damage in comparison to other “looped” rugs on the market. That said, sustained and repeated clawing in the same spot over time will eventually wear any fiber down.
The flatwoven constructions of Zahara and Safaa behave differently under pet-related stress. Any pulled or distorted thread in a flatweave is harder to hide than in a pile rug. Safaa in particular, with its open and relaxed weave, is more delicate in this regard.
Follow the general care guidelines above, rinsing repeatedly with clean lukewarm water to dilute and flush the urine from the fiber before treating with the vinegar and baking soda method. Vinegar neutralizes the ammonia compounds in animal urine. Apply the solution generously. For stubborn odors, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and leave it overnight. Vacuum it up in the morning and finish with a rug rake pass to increase softness.
For solid waste or vomit, try to pick up the waste as lightly and cleanly as possible without pressing anything further down into the fibers. Once the solid matter is removed, rinse the area thoroughly with clean lukewarm water, pressing to extract between rinses. Then treat with the vinegar and baking soda method, working it in lightly with a soft brush. Rinse once more, press dry, and let it air out completely.
For a more thorough clean between professional visits, flipping your rug and cleaning both sides is a great way to provide further, longer-term care for your rug.
Flip the rug over and vacuum the back with a motorized beater brush attachment – this is the only place we recommend using it. From the back, the beater brush loosens and collects dirt and dust trapped deep in the pile or weave, pushing it out rather than further in. When you flip the rug back over, you will see the debris that came through sitting on the floor. Clean that up first. Then vacuum the top surface of the rug again normally, without the beater brush. You can repeat this cycle several times if needed for a more heavily soiled rug.
A reputable rug cleaner will know how to handle a well-made rug made of natural fibers and can offer solutions for spills and damage, as well as ongoing general maintenance. Contact your local trusted rug cleaner to discuss best maintenance practices based on your placement and usage.
A rug that no longer responds to vacuuming and raking, looks visibly soiled, smells musty or holds pet odors, no longer feels soft underfoot or one that looks dull and flat despite regular in-home maintenance, is ready for a professional cleaning.
Your rug professional will need to know the fiber content of your rug – either 100% wool on a wool warp or 100% wool on a cotton warp – this information is listed under construction type.
Construction Characteristics
Vacuuming Recommendations
Spills and Spot Cleaning
Ironing Flatwovens
Construction Characteristics
Vacuuming Recommendations
Spills and Spot Cleaning
Construction Characteristics
Vacuuming Recommendations
Spills and Spot Cleaning
Construction Characteristics
Vacuuming Recommendations
Spills and Spot Cleaning