Most Navajo rugs are 100% wool. Keep in mind that shrinkage, stretching and fading may occur if your rug gets wet. Many of the dyes are from natural vegetal and mineral sources and are not as stable as chemical dyes. There are no knots in the body of a Navajo rug. These are some of the main characteristics to consider when caring for your rug. Here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Cleaning with a vacuum is the best regular maintenance you can give your rug.

2. Never wash your rug. "Spot" small stains, but if the rug is badly soiled, take it to a commercial cleaner. Some spills can be picked up by pouring salt on the spill.

3. Do not shake your rug. Snapping it can break fibers and cause the corner knots to loosen. If you must shake out dirt, do it very gently and brush away dirt or other objects.

4. Moths are the enemy! Even if a rug is hung on the wall, moths can still cause damage. Check both sides frequently. Commercial moth sprays may be used, but mothballs may affect dyes. You can spray the wall behind the rug with a moth protector.

5. Rugs should not be folded for storage. Creases can become permanent and yarn may break along fold lines. When not in use, store small weavings flat, wrapped in acid-free paper. Larger rugs should be rolled--again--in acid-free paper.

6. Curled corners may be flattened by untying the corner knots and loosening and working the yarn until the rug lies flat. Then retie the knots.

7. Extensive restoration of a damaged rug is very expensive. There are only a few people doing this work with any expertise in matching yarn, dye and weaving styles. Unless your rug is rare or very valuable, it may be less costly to replace than to repair it.

8. Turn your rug frequently so that it ages and softens uniformly.

9. Remember to consider these factors as you display your rug: strong light, moisture, temperature extremes and moths are the most common causes of damage.

10. Use a pad under your rug if you put it on the floor. This will help prevent slipping.

11. For hanging a rug on the wall, we recommend Velcro™. With finishing nails, mount a flat two-inch wood molding the width of the rug to the wall. On the wood molding, apply a strip of one-inch self-adhesive Velcro™ of equal length. The rug can then be pressed against the Velcro™, the nap of the rug acts as the fuzzy part of the Velcro™. We have found this method to allow the rug to hang the most evenly.