How to care for a silk carpet and a Pashmina shawl

Placing a silk carpet

Keep silk out of strong direct sunlight, which fades natural colour over time. In a sunlit room, draw sheer curtains during the brightest hours.

Use a good-quality rug underlay on hard floors. It stops the carpet from slipping, cushions the knots and reduces wear.

Silk carpets are happiest in rooms with moderate foot traffic. For hallways and dining rooms, silk on cotton is the more practical choice.

Rotate and vacuum gently

Rotate the carpet every six months so that light and footfall are shared evenly.

Vacuum with suction only, never with a rotating beater brush, and move in the direction of the pile. Never vacuum the fringe — lift it aside or use a soft brush.

Dealing with spills

Act quickly. Blot — never rub — with a clean, white, absorbent cloth, working from the outside of the spill inwards. Avoid household carpet cleaners and hot water, which can damage silk and move dyes.

For anything more than a small, fresh spill, and for periodic deep cleaning, use a specialist hand-knotted rug cleaner rather than a general carpet-cleaning service.

Storing a carpet

Clean the carpet first, then roll it — never fold it — with the pile facing outwards, and wrap it in breathable cotton, not plastic. Store it flat in a dry place, away from damp.

Caring for a Pashmina

A Pashmina needs far less washing than you might expect. Air it after wearing and it will stay fresh.

Dry cleaning by a trusted cleaner is safest, especially for embroidered shawls. If you hand-wash a plain Pashmina, use cool water and a gentle wool detergent, never wring it, press the water out in a towel and dry it flat in the shade.

• Fold rather than hang, so the fibres do not stretch
• Store in a breathable cotton bag, never in plastic
• Protect from moths with cedar or dried lavender
• Give it time between wears to rest and recover

Questions