Some people think rug maintenance is the work of specialized professionals and it is best to leave it to them. While that is partly true, there are several DIY measures that you can undertake to extend the life of your rug and keep it looking good for a longer time. Oriental rugs can look beautiful for a long time only with the proper maintenance and care to make it last through the years.
General wear, grit, moisture, insects and moths can be a problem. If the following tips are done on a regular basis, your rug should last for a long time. These tips are very practical and simple to follow and will keep your rug looking as new as the day you bought it. A small investment in maintaining the beauty will prevent the loss of your rug. It will need to be professionally cleaned on occasion.
Regularly Rotate the Rug – Your rug needs to be rotated once a year, especially if it’s in an area that is walked on a lot. A path of wear will be created when it walked on, over and over, by rotating the rug, this will be prevented. If your rug is exposed to direct sunlight, this will fade the colors of the fibers. Rotation is important to even out fading as well as wear.
Regular Vacuuming of the Rug – Fibers in woven rugs will hold grime and dirt that gets embedded in the fibers when pressed together from walking the same direction on a regular basis. This will ruin your rug. To prevent this, regular vacuuming will remove this grime and dirt. Don’t vacuum your rug too much though, for this removes some of the fibers in the rug.
Proper vacuuming techniques are important. Vacuum in the direction of the pile, to find this, run your hand across the top to find the side that is shiny. Vacuum the front first, then vacuum the back and then the front again along the pile.
Watch Out for Insects- Examine the back of the rug for signs of insect damage often and regularly. Carpet beetles and moths can damage your precious carpet or rug extensively in the pile and foundation so it is best to know as early as possible if they have attacked.
Clean it by Professionals – For a more thorough cleaning, you should take it to professional cleaners at least once a year or up to three years according to where your rug is used. The climate and location of its use will determine this. Your rug can slowly be damaged to grime and dirt that is left in by your vacuum cleaner and decrease the life of your rug without your knowledge.
Store it Right- Roll the rug in paper if you are going to be storing it for a few months. Avoid using plastic to wrap your rugs. Plastic does not let the rug fibers breathe so moisture might form causing mildew to grow and damage it. To prevent mildew from forming avoid storing your rug in humid places or high moisture condition
Water and Fire Will Damage Your Rug – If you have a fire or flood, clean them immediately. Professional cleaning is best. The water will cause your rug to mildew, so drying immediately is essential. Natural fibers or wool in the rug will be damaged by the acid in the soot. Cleaning immediately will prevent damage.
Accidental Spills- Clean off stains as soon as possible, removing solid matter with a spoon or spatula and tamping the rug with some absorbent material to remove spilled liquids. Have it cleaned as soon as possible.
Home care and maintenance of rugs is easy if you know how and the above tips can help.
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