Area rugs are expensive, we get that. When you invest in an area rug, you want to make sure that they are going to last a long time and look great. In order to do so, you need to make sure that you are taking proper care of your area rugs. Here are our best tips to make sure that your rugs stay in top condition.
1. Know Your Specific Rug
There are a lot of different kinds of rugs out there, and they require slightly different care. Make sure that you know what kind of rug you have, and look up if there is any special care you need to do for your specific rug. Make sure that you also provide this information to anyone who cleans your rug as well.
2. Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming at home regularly is probably the most important thing that you can do to keep your rug in good shape. Dirt and other material will build up in your rug over time and wear down the fibers of your rug or ruin the backing. You need to remove these contaminants by vacuuming regularly. The more often a rug is walked one, the more often it needs to be vacuumed.
3. Schedule Professional Cleanings
One of the best ways to keep your rug clean is to get it professionally cleaned. While vacuuming is necessary, it won’t remove all of the build-up that can occur in your carpets. Only a professional cleaner can clean deep within the fibers of your rugs to truly remove everything.
4. Handle Early Shedding
Many rugs experience what is known as shedding at first. This is where fibers that weren’t completely attached to the rug fall out, which can cause a mess if not handled. Vacuum 1-2 times a week initially. If you notice stray loops that are taller than other fibers, always cut them back to size. Do not pull on fibers or you will make it worse.
5. Remove Stubborn Pet Hair
Pet hair has a way of getting trapped in fibers of your rugs and being difficult to remove by vacuuming alone. Luckily, there are a few tools that you can run over your rug to remove these hairs, including carpet brushes, carpet rakes, or even standard squeegee tools.
6. Prevent Spills
This is an obvious one, but the best way to prevent stains on your rug is to prevent spilling things on them. Keep food and drinks in the kitchen and away from rugs. Don’t do your nails on rugs, and always remove or cover rugs when you’re painting a room.
7. Treat Spills Immediately
Of course, despite your best efforts, you cannot avoid all spills on your rug unless you don’t use them all together. When a spill does happen, be sure to treat it immediately. Letting a spill dry increases its chances of being a stain. Blot at wet spills with a damp cloth, taking care not to rub. Use a spoon to scrape up wet solids or semi-solid, and vacuum dry messes promptly. Taking care of spills prevents stains.
8. Rotate Your Rug
The areas of your rug that you walk on the most, such as those right in front of furniture, will begin to look worn out and damaged much quicker than other areas of your rug. To prevent this, rotate your rugs so you’re walking on a different part of it every few months. You can also “rest” your rugs and change them out with a different rug to preserve each for longer.
9. Avoid Direct Sunlight
Something that many rug owners don’t consider is exposure to the sun. Sunlight, even that through a window, can cause your rug to fade. Try to place your rugs in an area where the sun won’t shine on them, or be sure to close the blinds when not in use to avoid overexposure. If you have a run outdoors or in a sunroom, be sure to use an outdoor rug designed to hold up.
10. Protect From Furniture
The feet of heavy items of furniture can cause permanent dents and damage to your rug. Use protectors on the feet of furniture to prevent damage. Also, be sure to wipe off the bottom of the furniture before placing it on a rug to avoid getting it dirty or stained.