faq

Our Rugs and Craftsmanship

 

What makes Erik Lindstrom rugs distinctive?

Erik Lindstrom creates handcrafted rugs for luxury residential and hospitality interiors, combining original design with thoughtfully selected materials and artisan craftsmanship. Our collections explore pattern, texture, color, and dimension, with extensive custom capabilities that allow each rug to become an integral part of its interior.

Where are your rugs made?

Our handknotted rugs are woven by artisan weavers in Nepal, while our handtufted rugs are made in Thailand. The origin and construction of your selected rug can be confirmed when ordering.

What is the difference between handknotted and handtufted rugs?

Handknotted rugs are made by tying individual knots onto a foundation, gradually building the design across a loom. This process allows exceptional detail and produces a rug whose structure is formed by the weaving itself.

Handtufted rugs are made by inserting yarn into a backing to create the design, then securing and finishing the reverse. This construction offers flexibility in texture, shape, and pile height. Because backing materials and adhesives may be involved, cleaning methods must account for the entire construction.

Are variations normal in a handmade rug?

Yes. Subtle differences in dimensions, texture, yarn thickness, and color are part of handmade production. Natural fibers and small-batch dyeing also introduce variation. These characteristics contribute to a rug’s individuality; significant discrepancies should still be brought to our attention. 

What is knot count?

Knot count describes the density of knots within a given area of a handknotted rug. Higher knot counts can accommodate finer detail, but density alone does not determine quality. Fiber selection, yarn preparation, construction, finishing, and suitability for the intended space all matter.

Do you offer rugs for residential and hospitality projects?

Yes. We work with homeowners, interior designers, and architects on residential and hospitality interiors. Tell us about anticipated traffic, maintenance requirements, and placement so we can guide material and construction choices.

For commercial projects, any required fire testing, accessibility considerations, or other technical criteria should be identified before specification. Compliance must be verified for the particular rug.

Custom and Bespoke Capabilities

 

Can your rugs be customized?

Yes. Our designs can be customized in size, shape, color, pattern, and material, subject to the requirements of the selected construction. We can also explore changes in pattern scale, borders, pile height, and surface texture.

Can I create an entirely original rug?

Yes. We collaborate on bespoke designs developed from original artwork, architectural details, textiles, and other creative references. Our team helps translate the concept into a design that can be successfully woven. 

What sizes and shapes can you make?

We create rugs in a broad range of dimensions and shapes, including rectangles, squares, rounds, ovals, curves, and free-form designs.

Oversized or complex pieces require a review of weaving capabilities, proportions, shipping, and installation access before dimensions are finalized.

Do you make wall-to-wall carpeting and stair runners?

Yes. Custom capabilities include wall-to-wall carpeting, hallway runners, and fitted stair runners. Detailed measurements or full-size templates may be required for shaped installations. Final specifications should be coordinated with the project’s installer. 

Can you match a specific color?

We can develop colors using yarn poms and physical references such as fabrics, paint chips, and Pantone references. Color should be evaluated in the intended space because lighting, fiber, sheen, and pile direction affect its appearance.

A woven sample provides a more useful reference than a screen image, although natural and handmade variation should still be expected.

Can you change a pattern’s scale or texture?

Yes. Depending on the construction, we can explore larger or smaller motifs, adjusted spacing, revised borders, raised details, cut-and-loop combinations, carving, and changes in pile height. These choices influence both the design and its suitability for everyday use. 

Can different materials be combined?

Yes. Blending fibers allows us to balance softness, resilience, sheen, and texture. Wool can provide a grounded surface while silk introduces reflective detail; other combinations create different tactile effects.

A blended rug must be maintained according to its most sensitive fiber.

Are samples available?

Contact our team about samples, yarn poms, and custom strike-offs for your project. Availability, cost, and timing depend on the design and materials.

A strike-off is a small woven sample used to review selected colors, texture, and construction before full-size production.

What is the custom design process?

The process generally includes:

1. Reviewing the room, dimensions, intended use, budget, and design direction.
2. Selecting or developing the pattern, materials, colors, and construction.
3. Reviewing artwork and any required samples.
4. Approving the final specifications.
5. Full-size production, finishing, and delivery coordination.

Sampling and revisions should be considered separately when planning the overall project schedule.

What is a DFA?

A DFA is the design document submitted for approval before production. It records the proposed design and specifications for review.

Check dimensions, orientation, pattern placement, colors, materials, and any special details carefully. Questions or revisions should be resolved before approval.

How long does a custom rug take?

Full-size production typically takes 16–20 weeks and does not commence until we receive a signed DFA and/or email approval.

Timing varies with construction, design complexity, materials, and size. Design development, sampling, revisions, shipping, and installation may require additional time. Your order documentation will establish the applicable schedule.

Can I change an order after approval?

Contact us immediately if a change is needed. Once materials have been prepared or production has begun, revisions may be limited or unavailable and may affect pricing and timing. Any accepted change must be confirmed in writing.

What determines the price of a custom rug?

Pricing reflects the rug’s dimensions, materials, construction, knot count, design complexity, pile treatment, and finishing. Custom sampling, shipping, rug pads, and installation should be reviewed as part of the project quotation.

GoodWeave and Responsible Production

 

Is Erik Lindstrom a GoodWeave partner?

Erik Lindstrom supports GoodWeave certification as part of our commitment to responsible rug production. When specifying or purchasing a rug, ask our team to confirm its certification status and labeling, particularly when comparing different constructions and collections.

What does GoodWeave certification mean?

The GoodWeave label provides independent assurance that a certified product was made without child, forced, or bonded labor. Its certification requirements also include the transparency necessary to verify compliance. 

How does GoodWeave verify its standards?

GoodWeave conducts regular, unannounced inspections within licensed production networks, including subcontracted facilities and home-based production. Certified products carry a uniquely coded label that can be traced to the licensed producer. 

Does purchasing a certified rug support weaving communities?

Yes. The GoodWeave system also supports programs that provide educational opportunities for children and improve conditions in producer communities. Choosing a certified rug supports this broader work. 

Is GoodWeave an environmental or fiber certification?

GoodWeave’s certification focuses on labor practices and supply-chain verification. It does not, by itself, certify that a rug is organic, chemical-free, recycled, or suitable for a particular indoor-air-quality standard.

Does the absence of certification prove that child labor was used?

No. An uncertified product has not provided the assurance associated with that certification; its absence alone does not establish that exploitative labor occurred.

Materials and Material-Specific Care

 

Which materials do you offer?

Our material options include wool, including Tibetan and Merino wool; fine mulberry silk; mohair; alpaca; cashmere; cactus; nettle; and hemp. We also offer polypropylene outdoor rugs and solution-dyed acrylic performance rugs.

Availability and suitable blends vary by design and construction. Our team can recommend options based on appearance, texture, placement, and maintenance expectations. 

How should I choose a material?

Start with how the room will be used. Consider traffic, pets, children, sunlight, moisture, furniture placement, and your preferred maintenance routine.

Wool offers a useful balance of comfort and resilience. Silk introduces pronounced sheen and detail. Mohair, alpaca, and cashmere offer distinctive softness and texture. Plant fibers create a more organic surface, while performance and outdoor fibers address different exposure and cleaning needs.

What should I know about wool rugs?

Wool is a natural sheep fiber valued for its resilience, warmth, and ability to take color beautifully. It can create dense, smooth, looped, or richly textured surfaces.

Tibetan wool and finer wool varieties offer different tactile qualities. Merino wool is associated with a particularly fine, soft hand, although the finished rug’s performance also depends on yarn and construction.

Wool has natural resistance to soiling and some spills, but it is absorbent and can stain. It requires protection from harsh chemistry, prolonged moisture, and aggressive agitation.

How to care for wool:

• Vacuum regularly using a suitable suction-only head, especially on looped or textured constructions.
• Blot spills promptly with a clean, white, absorbent cloth.
• If the rug’s instructions permit, use a small amount of cool water on a cloth for minor water-based residue.
• Use only an appropriate wool-safe rug spotter after testing an inconspicuous area.
• Avoid chlorine bleach, household alkaline cleaners, vigorous scrubbing, and oversaturation.
• Have embedded soil and persistent stains treated by a professional experienced in wool rugs.

Wool-safe products and appropriate professional cleaning help protect the fiber and its appearance. 

What should I know about silk rugs?

Silk is a fine natural protein fiber prized for its smooth surface, luminous sheen, and ability to express intricate detail. We use fine mulberry silk both on its own and in combination with other fibers.

Silk reflects light strongly, so a rug may appear dramatically lighter or darker from opposite directions. Its refined surface requires careful maintenance, particularly where spills and heavy traffic are likely.

How to care for silk:

• Vacuum gently with low suction and a smooth, nonrotating attachment.
• Avoid repeated passes that drag or distort the pile.
• Blot liquid immediately with a dry white cloth; do not rub.
• Contact a silk-rug specialist before adding water or cleaning agents.
• Avoid household spot removers, bleach, brushing, and home steam-cleaning equipment.
• Use a professional who tests dyes and evaluates the rug’s foundation and finishing before selecting a cleaning method.

Silk can show changes in sheen, texture, and pile direction readily. Do not assume that a home extraction machine—or a blanket recommendation to “dry clean”—is appropriate. 

What should I know about mohair rugs?

Mohair comes from the fleece of the Angora goat. It is valued for its luster, resilience, and rich color reflection. Depending on yarn and pile, it can create a softly defined texture or a more relaxed, enveloping surface. 

How to care for mohair:

• Use gentle suction and an attachment that will not catch longer yarns.
• Keep rotating brushes and beater bars away from the pile.
• Blot spills immediately with a dry white cloth.
• Before applying moisture or a cleaner, follow the rug’s specific instructions or consult a specialist.
• Avoid scrubbing, hot water, soaking, and household bleaching products.
• Have significant soiling professionally treated, with attention to preserving pile texture.

For long-pile mohair, avoid brushing or combing unless the recommended method has been confirmed for that rug.

What should I know about alpaca rugs?

Alpaca is a natural animal fiber valued for its soft hand, warmth, and subtle sheen. It can create a plush, inviting surface, with texture influenced by fiber selection, yarn preparation, and pile construction.

For alpaca-rich rugs, placement should reflect the softness of the surface and the amount of traffic the room receives.

How to care for alpaca:

• Vacuum gently with low suction and a nonrotating attachment.
• Avoid dragging tools through the pile.
• Blot spills promptly without rubbing or brushing.
• Limit home treatment to the rug’s approved instructions.
• Avoid hot water, vigorous agitation, and saturation.
• Use a professional experienced in fine animal-fiber rugs for stains and overall cleaning.

Heat and agitation can damage alpaca fiber, so garment-washing instructions should never be assumed to apply to a finished rug. 

What should I know about cashmere rugs?

Cashmere comes from the fine undercoat of cashmere-producing goats. Its exceptionally soft hand creates a refined, dense and intimate surface suited to spaces where tactile comfort is a priority.

Cashmere-rich rugs benefit from considered placement and gentle maintenance. Their suitability for busy areas depends on the blend and construction.

How to care for cashmere:

• Vacuum on low suction using a smooth attachment that glides without pulling.
• Avoid rotating brushes, aggressive grooming, and repeated friction.
• Blot spills immediately using a clean white cloth.
• Consult a fine-rug specialist before applying cleaning solutions.
• Avoid soaking, hot water, bleach, and home extraction equipment.
• Arrange professional cleaning when soil becomes embedded or a spill leaves residue.
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What should I know about cactus-fiber rugs?

Our cactus rugs offer a more organic, tactile surface. The fiber has a slightly coarser character than wool and takes dye in a way that produces distinctive variation and depth.

“Cactus” is a material designation that should be checked against the particular yarn specification before selecting a treatment.

How to care for cactus fiber:

• Remove dry grit regularly with gentle suction.
• Blot liquid immediately with a dry white cloth.
• Avoid adding water or household cleaning solutions without approval.
• Do not soak, hose down, or use home steam-cleaning equipment.
• Ask a specialist to assess stains and select a cleaning method appropriate to the yarn and foundation.
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What should I know about nettle rugs?

Nettle is a plant-derived fiber used to introduce natural texture and tonal interest. Its appearance depends on how the fiber is processed, spun, dyed, and combined with other materials.

How to care for nettle:

• Vacuum gently to prevent grit from collecting in the weave.
• Blot spills immediately rather than rubbing.
• Avoid routine wet spot cleaning unless specifically approved.
• Keep the rug away from persistent dampness.
• Refer stains and deep cleaning to a specialist familiar with natural plant-fiber rugs.
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What should I know about hemp rugs?

Hemp is a plant-based bast fiber that brings a grounded, textural quality to a rug. Its hand can range from comparatively crisp to softer, depending on processing and blending.

Hemp should not be assumed to be washable or suitable for outdoor exposure simply because the raw fiber is strong.

How to care for hemp:

• Vacuum regularly with a nonrotating attachment.
• Blot liquid promptly with a dry white cloth.
• Avoid saturation, scrubbing, and unapproved spot treatments.
• Keep the rug and the floor beneath it dry.
• Have stains professionally assessed.

For cactus, nettle, and hemp, these are conservative care recommendations: actual moisture tolerance depends on the yarn, dyes, and construction. Plant-fiber rugs can be sensitive to water, and blends should be treated according to their most sensitive component.

What should I know about polypropylene outdoor rugs?

Polypropylene, also called olefin, is a synthetic fiber used in outdoor rugs because of its low moisture absorption and practical cleanability. Outdoor suitability still depends on the complete construction, including the backing, foundation, and finishing.

Although polypropylene resists many water-based spills, oily substances can be harder to remove. 

How to care for polypropylene:

• Vacuum or gently sweep away leaves, dust, and grit.
• Blot spills promptly.
• Spot clean with a mild detergent solution when permitted by the rug’s instructions.
• Remove detergent residue with clean water and allow the area to dry.
• Use a garden hose only if the entire rug is approved for that method.
• After washing or rain, allow both sides and the surface underneath to dry completely.
• Store the rug clean and fully dry during extended periods of nonuse.

Do not assume that pressure washing, bleach, or solvent cleaners are suitable. Some unbacked polypropylene rugs can be hosed clean, while other constructions require different treatment. 

Keep polypropylene rugs away from grills, fire pits, embers, and other high-heat sources.

What should I know about solution-dyed acrylic performance rugs?

Solution-dyed acrylic is a synthetic fiber in which color is introduced during fiber production. It offers strong colorfastness and practical cleanability while allowing a soft, textile-like surface.

Our performance offering is intended for projects where appearance and easier maintenance need to work together. Outdoor suitability, stain resistance, and permitted cleaning methods must be confirmed for the selected rug.

How to care for solution-dyed acrylic:

• Vacuum regularly without a rotating brush contacting the pile.
• Blot spills immediately.
• Where approved, clean with a mild detergent solution.
• Rinse away cleaning residue and allow the rug to air dry completely.
• Address embedded dirt before repeated traffic works it deeper into the surface.
• Use a professional when effective cleaning would require extensive wetting or specialized equipment.

Some 100% solution-dyed acrylic rugs permit diluted bleach for stubborn stains. This does not establish that every acrylic rug, blend, backing, or edge treatment is bleach-safe. Obtain the approved product and dilution instructions for your rug before use. Never mix bleach with other cleaners. 

Does “performance” mean stain-proof?

No. Performance describes enhanced suitability for particular demands; it does not mean a rug cannot stain, fade, flatten, or suffer damage.

Prompt spill removal and regular maintenance remain necessary, including for solution-dyed acrylic. 

How should I clean a rug containing several materials?

Follow the requirements of the most sensitive fiber and the complete construction. A wool-and-silk rug should receive silk-appropriate care. Adding an outdoor or performance fiber to a blend does not automatically make the finished rug washable or bleach-safe.

If you are unsure of the composition, contact us before treating it.

How should I care for faux-fur or specialty textures?

“Faux fur” describes an appearance rather than a single fiber. Confirm the composition and backing before choosing a cleaning method.

Use gentle suction if permitted, avoid tools that tangle the pile, and blot spills promptly. Do not machine wash, tumble dry, brush, or apply heat unless the specific care instructions authorize it.

Everyday Cleaning and Maintenance

 

How often should I vacuum?

Vacuum according to use and soil exposure. Busy areas need more frequent attention than lightly used rooms. Removing dry grit before it settles into the foundation helps reduce abrasion.

For delicate, looped, shag, or raised-pile rugs, use gentle suction and tools that do not catch the yarn. Frequent aggressive vacuuming can damage the surface.

Can I use a robot vacuum?

Only if its brushes, suction, and movement are appropriate for the rug. Rotating brushes can catch fringe, loops, and longer pile, while wheels may repeatedly track soil across delicate surfaces.

For silk, loose-textured, fringed, and long-pile rugs, a carefully controlled manual vacuum is generally the more cautious choice.

What should I do immediately after a spill?

1. Lift away solids carefully with a spoon or blunt edge.
2. Blot liquid using a clean, dry, white absorbent cloth.
3. Work from the outside toward the center.
4. Replace the cloth as it becomes wet.
5. Follow the material-specific instructions before introducing water or cleaner.
6. Seek professional help if color transfers, the stain spreads, or residue remains.

Do not rub, scrub, or pour cleaning solution directly onto the rug. Improper spot treatment can turn a removable spill into permanent discoloration. 

Can I use dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, or a household stain remover?

Do not assume a household remedy is suitable. Products may leave residue, alter dyes, damage fibers, or affect backing materials.

Use a treatment approved for the particular rug. A wool-safe designation does not automatically establish suitability for silk, other delicate fibers, or every blend. Test any authorized treatment in an inconspicuous area first.

How should I handle wine, coffee, grease, ink, or other difficult stains?

Blot promptly and avoid experimenting with multiple products.

• Wine and coffee: Remove as much liquid as possible, then follow the fiber-specific guidance.
• Grease and oil: Lift excess material without spreading it; consult a specialist about remaining residue.
• Ink, nail polish, paint, and dye: Seek professional advice before applying solvents.
• Dried or unidentified stains: Avoid rewetting or chemical treatment until the material and likely stain are assessed.

Tell the cleaner what spilled and which products, if any, have already been used.

What should I do after a pet accident?

Blot immediately and contact a professional promptly if liquid may have reached the foundation or pad.

Pet urine can affect dyes and leave contamination below the visible surface. Do not use a general-purpose enzyme cleaner on wool, silk, or other animal fibers unless a specialist confirms it is suitable.

Replace or professionally treat an affected pad as appropriate; cleaning only the rug’s surface may leave the source of the odor underneath.

Can I steam clean or shampoo my rug at home?

We do not recommend home steam cleaners, rental extraction machines, or general carpet shampooers for handmade natural-fiber rugs.

Heat, excess water, unsuitable chemistry, and incomplete drying can cause damage. A professional should select the method after evaluating the fibers, dyes, foundation, and backing.

How often should my rug be professionally cleaned?

Schedule cleaning according to soil accumulation, traffic, material, and exposure. Heavy-use spaces and homes with pets may require attention sooner than lightly used rooms.

Seek help promptly after significant spills, persistent odors, water exposure, or visible contamination rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

How do I choose a professional rug cleaner?

Choose a specialist with experience in the rug’s fibers and construction. Ask whether they:

• Inspect and document the rug before treatment.
• Test dye stability and identify sensitive materials.
• Evaluate the foundation, backing, and any adhesive.
• Select a method appropriate to the complete rug.
• Provide controlled, thorough drying.

For delicate rugs, ask specifically about experience with silk, cashmere, alpaca, mohair, or plant fibers.

Should I apply a stain-protection treatment?

A compatible treatment may provide additional time to respond to spills, but it cannot prevent every stain or replace maintenance.

Our team can discuss protective treatment options. Suitability should be assessed for the particular fiber, dyes, finish, and construction before application.

Appearance, Wear, and Protection

 

Is shedding normal?

Some shedding can occur as loose fibers work free from production and finishing. The amount and duration vary with the yarn and construction.

Vacuum gently. Excessive, increasing, or localized fiber loss—particularly if accompanied by thinning or exposed foundation—should be assessed rather than assumed to be normal.

What is sprouting?

Sprouting occurs when an individual yarn end rises above the surrounding pile. Do not pull it.

Contact us for guidance. An isolated cut-pile yarn may be trimmed level when appropriate, but loops, fringe, and structural threads should not be cut without confirmation.

What is abrash?

Abrash describes tonal variation within a rug, often associated with differences in yarn or dye batches. It may appear as subtle bands or shifts in color and can be part of a handmade rug’s character.

Why does my rug look different from opposite sides?

Pile direction changes the way light reflects from the surface. This is especially visible in silk and other lustrous fibers, creating a lighter appearance from one direction and a deeper appearance from another.

Consider orientation in the room before placing furniture.

What is pile shading or watermarking?

Pile shading occurs when fibers lie in different directions, creating areas that appear lighter or darker. It may resemble a stain even when no spill has occurred.

If the cause is unclear, have the rug assessed before attempting to clean the area. Cleaning may not correct a change in pile direction. 

Should I rotate my rug?

Where practical, rotate the rug periodically to distribute traffic and light exposure. Every six to twelve months is a useful starting point, adjusted for the space.

Do not rotate fitted, shaped, or installed rugs without considering their intended orientation and installation.

Can sunlight affect my rug?

Yes. Prolonged sunlight can alter color and contribute to deterioration. Window treatments, UV-filtering measures, and thoughtful placement help reduce exposure.

Fade resistance varies by fiber and dye system; it should never be interpreted as an unlimited guarantee.

Do I need a rug pad?

A properly selected pad can help reduce movement, cushion the rug, and protect the floor beneath. It must be compatible with both the rug and the flooring.

Pads are available upon request and are not automatically included with a rug purchase. Outdoor installations require an appropriate outdoor pad where recommended. 

How can I prevent furniture indentations?

Use suitable furniture cups or load-distributing supports where appropriate, and avoid repeatedly placing heavy legs on delicate raised details.

Lift furniture when moving it. Do not drag it across the rug. Ask for advice before applying water, steam, or heat to an indentation.

How do I protect natural-fiber rugs from moths?

Keep rugs clean, including beneath furniture and along undisturbed edges. Check stored rugs and seldom-used rooms periodically.

If you notice larvae, webbing, or unexplained localized fiber loss, contact a professional cleaner and pest-management specialist. Do not apply household pesticides directly to the rug without confirming compatibility.

How should I store a rug?

Have the rug cleaned if needed and ensure it is completely dry. Roll it using a method appropriate to its construction rather than folding it, and use suitable protective wrapping.

Store it in a clean, dry, climate-controlled location, elevated from the floor where possible. Avoid damp storage and inspect it periodically.

What if my rug becomes soaked or flooded?

Contact a professional rug cleaner or water-damage specialist immediately. Address the pad and floor beneath it as well.

A saturated rug can be extremely heavy and vulnerable to damage during handling. Do not leave it rolled, folded, or resting on a wet pad. Floodwater may also introduce contamination requiring specialist treatment.

Ordering, Delivery, and Project Support

 

Do you offer in-stock rugs?

Yes. Contact our team for current designs, dimensions, and availability. An in-stock rug can be a useful option when a project’s schedule does not allow for custom production.

How do I request pricing?

Send the design name or inspiration, approximate dimensions, preferred materials, project location, and required timing. For custom work, drawings, floor plans, and physical color references help us prepare a more accurate proposal.

What should I consider before delivery?

Confirm that the packaged rug can pass through building entrances, elevators, stairs, and interior access points. Oversized rugs may require special handling.

Arrange a clear installation area and confirm responsibility for furniture moving, pad placement, and installation in advance. Installation is included only when specifically stated in the order. 

What should I do when my rug arrives?

Inspect it promptly for shipping damage and consistency with the approved order. Photograph concerns and retain packaging if damage is suspected.

Contact our team immediately and follow the reporting requirements in your order documentation.

What are your return, cancellation, and warranty policies?

The terms supplied with your quotation and order govern returns, cancellations, claims, and any applicable warranty provisions. Custom and in-stock purchases may have different requirements.

Review these terms before ordering and contact our team with questions.

Can you help with repairs?

Contact us with photographs and a description of the issue. Fringe wear, damaged edges, snags, or localized pile loss may be repairable depending on the fiber, construction, and extent of damage.

Early assessment can help prevent a small problem from becoming more extensive.

How do I contact your team?

For product information, custom inquiries, sampling, and care guidance:

• Los Angeles: la@eriklindstrom.com
• New York: nyc@eriklindstrom.com
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For care questions, include the rug’s name, order number if available, material composition, photographs, and details of any spill or previous treatment.