How to Prepare Your Handmade Rugs for the Holidays and How to Protect Them All Season Long
How to Prepare Your Handmade Rugs for the Holidays — RugGuys Guide to Protecting Oriental, Oushak & Area Rugs
The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for your home—and your rugs. Whether you own Turkish Oushak rugs, Persian rugs, Oriental rugs, or high-quality handmade wool area rugs, the increase in visitors, shoes, spills, and décor can place serious stress on your textiles.
At RugGuys, we specialize in professional Oriental rug cleaning, Oushak rug cleaning, and area rug cleaning services throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area. With thousands of handmade rugs cleaned each year, we know exactly what your rugs need before the holidays arrive.
1. Schedule a Professional Rug Cleaning Before the Holidays
The most important step is a deep, professional cleaning—especially for natural wool rugs like Oriental, Persian, and Turkish Oushak rugs.
A proper Oriental rug cleaning service removes:
Dirt and sand trapped inside the wool
Pet stains and odors
Deep dust built up over the year
Spills and residue from everyday use
Allergens and bacteria
Stubborn discoloration
When rugs are clean, they look richer, softer, and more vibrant—perfect for hosting guests and decorating your home.
2.Inspect Your Rugs for Damage (Edges, Fringes & Moths)
Before holiday traffic increases, take a close look at:
Frayed fringes
Worn side edges
Unraveling knots
Thin or bald spots
Moth larvae or fiber shedding
Previous water or spill marks
These issues worsen with foot traffic. RugGuys offers rug repair and restoration for Oriental rugs, Oushak rugs, and all handmade pieces—fixing small problems before they become big ones.
3.Rotate Your Oriental or Oushak Rugs Before Hosting
Foot traffic dramatically changes during the holidays. Rotating your rug 180°:
Protects high-wear areas
Prevents uneven fading
Helps the rug age evenly
Keeps the wool fibers strong
This is especially important for Turkish Oushak rugs, which have soft, hand-spun wool that wears naturally over time.
4. Use a Premium Rug Pad to Protect Floors & Fibers
A rug pad is one of the easiest ways to protect your rugs during the holidays.
A high-quality rug pad:
Prevents slipping
Protects hardwood floors
Adds cushioning for heavy foot traffic
Helps rugs maintain shape
Reduces friction that damages wool
RugGuys offers premium rug pads sized perfectly for Oriental and handmade rugs.
5. Protect Your Rugs from Holiday Spills & Parties
Holiday gatherings often bring food, drinks, kids, and movement. Prepare your rugs with:
Before guests arrive:
Consider professional fiber protection to reduce staining
Add washable runners in high-traffic areas
Keep drink and food stations off the rug
If a spill happens:
Blot immediately (never rub)
Use cool water only
Call RugGuys for advice
Never use store carpet cleaners—they can bleach or damage wool.
6. Vacuum Correctly to Protect Wool & Knots
Vacuuming helps, but technique matters:
Do this:
Use suction-only mode
Vacuum in the direction of the pile
Shake out smaller area rugs
Vacuum the back every few months
Avoid this:
❌ Beater bar / rotating brushes
❌ Over-vacuuming fringes
❌ Robot vacuums on delicate Oushak or Oriental rugs
Proper vacuuming keeps your rug clean between rug cleaning service appointments.
7. Be Careful with Holiday Décor Around Your Rugs
Holiday decorations can accidentally damage rugs, especially handmade pieces.
Christmas trees: Use a waterproof barrier to prevent leaks and sap
Heavy décor: Avoid placing it directly on the rug
Candles: Keep them away from wool and fibers to prevent wax stains
Salt & snow: Prevent shoes from dragging in salt that can damage colors
8. Store Extra Rugs Safely During the Season
If you remove or rotate rugs:
Proper rug storage steps:
Have the rug cleaned before storing
Roll (never fold)
Wrap in breathable rug-grade paper
Use cedar or lavender for moth prevention
Store indoors and off the ground
Proper storage protects fine Oriental & wool rugs from moths, mold, and fiber damage.
9. After the Holidays: Refresh & Reassess
Once guests leave:
Vacuum the rug thoroughly
Check for any stains
Inspect edges and fringes
Rotate again
Schedule a touch-up cleaning if needed
Your rugs have worked hard this season. A quick refresh helps maintain them for years.
Your handmade rugs—whether Oriental, Turkish Oushak, Persian, or modern wool area rugs—are valuable works of art. Preparing them for the holidays ensures they stay clean, vibrant, and protected.
RugGuys provides:
✔ Professional Oriental rug cleaning
✔ Oushak rug cleaning
✔ Persian & wool rug cleaning
✔ Antique rug cleaning
✔ Rug repair & restoration
✔ Premium rug pads
✔ Pickup & delivery in DFW
