The specialist wash of a hand-knotted rug, done after weaving, again when a dealer prepares new or used stock for sale, and periodically during ownership. A skilled wash removes dirt and loose fibers and leaves the design crisp and harmonious, while a careless one leaves it hazy and can make dyes run, so the quality of the washing is a quiet factor in how a rug finally looks. Owners typically repeat it roughly every 3 to 5 years, stretching to about 10 for a rug that stays clean and coming sooner for heavy traffic or quick soiling, wash it again before storing it for a year or more, and keep it away from conventional dry cleaners.