Living With Your Kilim

Underlay Kilim Rugs
Since all textile fibers are subject to breaking and abrasion, the flooring on which a kilim area rug is placed should be even. Additionally it is recommended that padded backing, also called underlay, be placed under a kilim area rug, especially if it is to be laid directly on a hard, smooth floor rather than on one covered by carpeting. A rug pad is also great for keeping a rug in position by preventing slips and bunching, expecially for small and light rugs. They even provide additional cushioning and softness underfoot. Here is a highly recommended rug pad you can order

Solution for the  Moths
Along with moisture, moth larvae are perhaps a wool rug's worst enemy. This is usually not a critical factor when an kilim or pile rug is in use. Adequately frequent cleaning, airing and leaving under the sun for a few days are the old "tried and true" protective measures, but in our modern age there are also various moth-proofing sprays available - which you can use provided you are certain that they do not contain any possibly harmful chemicals. These websites also give some great advice against moths.

How to Display Your Rugs

One useful way to hang a kilim is to sew a sleeve onto the back (or reverse) of the kilim (i.e., the side which is to face the wall), along and just below the edge which is to form the top of the hanging. This sleeve is a relatively narrow piece of fabric forming a slot (or bulge) towards the back of the kilim. The slot is designed to hold a straight rod just a little bit shorter than the kilim edge from which the hanging is to be suspended.

This slot must be sewn on in a straight horizontal line, not along the kilim edge or along any band in the kilim design because these edges or bands often do not form straight lines. A kilim rug suspended from a sleeve sewn on along an uneven contour will display wavy vertical folds rather than hanging flat on the wall. The rod, lath or batten inserted into the sleeve can then be attached to the wall by brackets, screws or nails, or suspended by a monofilament or thin piano wire.

 How to Keep Your Rugs

Should you need to store your area rug for a long period here are some "do's" and "don'ts" you’ll find useful:

Do wash and dry it very thoroughly (or have it cleaned and properly dried) before storage.

Do have the rug mothproofed or use moth flakes, not in direct contact with the rug but within folds of paper or cloth placed in the kilim rug as it is rolled up. Do roll the rug to be stored rather than folding it.

Don't store your rugs in a moist, hot environment or in a place without adequate ventilation as these are the ideal breeding grounds for destructive mildew to form.

Don't store your area rugs in any place that is accessible to mice, rats, or other fabric-eating creatures.

Rugs need to breathe and plastic wrapping may cause mildew if there is already some moisture in the rug.