Care Guide for Viscose, Rayon, Cotton, Tencel carpet and rugs 

Plant-based natural fibers are very absorbent and should not be placed in areas that are damp or where spills are likely to occur. 

• Moisture vapor can penetrate the open ends of the fiber, causing them to swell up.  
• When they swell up, they absorb more light than the dry fibers around them.  
• When they absorb more light and the neighboring fibers continue to reflect light, the swollen fibers will look darker than the other fibers.
• This looks like a stain, when it is just the way light reflects from the fibers.  There's a temptation to rub the dark area.  This will just fuzz up the spot and make it stand out even more. 
• Think of when the sweat from a glass of water or ice tea leaves a ring on a piece of paper (a plant-based fiber).  It looks like a stain, even though the moisture was perfectly clean.  Also, that ring in the paper will never completely go away.
  

Vacuum regularly. 

• Even fine dirt particles can grind and wear out these soft fibers.  
• Use a vacuum made for soft carpets, such as the Soniclean SFC7000 or a vacuum with gentle suction.  
• A vacuum with a nylon beater brush will tear and fray natural fibers.  
• Even most adjustable upright vacuums actually dig into the carpet pile.  
• A high-suction vacuum, like a Dyson, is not recommended.
• Change the vacuum cleaner dust bag when half full.
• Check the vacuum head or attachments for trapped fibers or sharp object like staples or paper-clips.
  

Remove spills immediately.  

• Liquid spills act as a magnet to any dirt particles.  What appears as a clean spot, if still wet, will pull dirt from shoes, furniture and even from dust in the air.
• Immediately blot a spill.  Use a cotton towel (it's important that the towel is more absorbent than the carpet fiber).
• Do not rub.  This can spread the stain and abrade the fibers.
• To remove a spot caused by solid substances, scrape it up with a spoon or spatula working from the outside of the spill toward the center. 
• To prevent the fibers from absorbing any further moisture, use a dry cleaning powder such as Capture, Host, Wool Dri or Wool Clean absorb-it.
• Club Soda is not the right thing for a plant-based fiber.
  

Use doormats and keep them clean.

Professionally clean as needed

• Never steam clean or wet-shampoo a plant-based natural fiber carpet or rug.
• Use a dry-cleaning method only - dry powder, not solvent - no abrasion.
• Dry cleaning does not mean taking a rug to a laundry dry-cleaner

Other names for plant-based natural fibers: Bamboo Silk, Banana Silk, Faux Silk.
 

---