Dear Melissa:
How should I care for a cotton area rug? It’s handmade and fairly expensive. Should I risk washing it? S.M., IL
Dear S.:
Only if you want a misshapen pile of strings when you’re done. Fragile carpets should be treated professionally with stain repellants, kept out of direct sunlight, rotated regularly, and dry cleaned by a carpet expert. Treat carpets like the investments they are. Good care will prolong their life expectancy. M.A.K.
