Natural Area Rugs

Different Uses of Shag Rugs: Decorate Your Kitchen and Bathroom

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Shag rugs are typically used as large area rugs for living rooms and other large open spaces, but did you know you can use them in your kitchen and bathroom? Shag rugs make the perfect addition to any kitchen or bathroom because they add a contemporary touch with comfort. Use these ideas and tips to spruce up your kitchen and bathroom.

In a kitchen you can use a medium sized shag rug in the middle of the floor or under a kitchen table. Be sure that they shag rug is not in the line of getting food or drink dropped on it. It is not advisable to use shag rugs by a stove top or fridge. You can also place a smaller area rug directly under the sink area. This will provide great comfort for your feet as you stand and wash your dishes. Use a color that adds some fun to the kitchen.

In the bathroom use smaller area shag rugs by the sink, near the toilet and right outside of the shower or bathtub. Shag rugs are prefect in any bathroom because of the comfy feeling they leave on the feet. Shag rugs will also bring comfort to cold feet during the winter months while getting ready for the day.

Shag rugs are easy to care for and don’t’ require much maintenance. Simply take your shag rugs outside once to twice a week and shake them to get rid of any dust or small particles. Once a year have your small shag rugs dry cleaned to maintain them for a lifetime.

Tags: area rugs, cottage, shag
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Different Uses of Shag Rugs: A Wall Hanging

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Have you ever thought of hanging a shag rug on your wall? Shag rugs are reminiscent of the 1960’s and have made a huge comeback in recent years. The high pile and soft texture of shag rugs has always made them very appealing for a modern and comfortable touch. Shag rugs can be used for more than just walking on, they make great wall hangings, especially for a large room with a lot of wall space.

A shag rug can be used to compliment the color scheme of any room in a home. If you’re going to use a shag rug for decoration, find one that is multi-colored or specific for the look you’re going for. For example, if the room is very bright and simple, a burnt-orange or deep-blue shag rug can make a great centerpiece to add personality to the room. You can also add enlarged photos to the shag rug wall-hanging, using the rug as a backdrop.

To hang a shag rug, consider using wall hooks that simply attach to your wall with an anchor system. Depending on how large the shag rug is, you may want to use anywhere from 6 to 12 hooks to ensure the rug lays flat and is securely held in place. Using hooks to hang the rug is the best approach because it leaves you with the option of using the rug on a floor in the future. A hanging shag rug won’t require much maintenance and will last much longer than if it was used on the floor.

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Making Your Home Hypo-Allergenic with Sisal Rugs

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

One of the most common allergens for adults and children is dust mites. Dust mites are small, microscopic insects that thrive in warm, damp environments. For many, this means dust mites take up residence in bedding, pillows and conventional carpets. The best treatment and solution for a person suffering from a dust mite and other seasonal allergies is to rid their home of dust. Sisal rugs are one of the best things you can do for a home suffering from allergies.

Sisal rugs are hypo-allergenic because they do not trap dust and dirt – they repel it. Sisal rugs may be used in a living room, as a kitchen sink floor mat or in virtually any room in your home. In order to clean a sisal rug and keep dust at a minimum, vacuum regularly or shake it out regularly and maintain dust-free floors surrounding the sisal rug.

If most of the people in your family suffer from allergies, it is advisable to remove all traditional carpet and replace it with hardwood, tile or another non-porous hard surface. Use sisal area rugs to decorate and add the comfort of carpet to your hard floors. Sisal rugs are not only hypo-allergenic; they are also extremely durable and can last a life time.

Sisal rugs are eco-friendly, made from 100 percent of sustainable materials. Use sisal rugs in your home to create a warm, earth-conscious environment. You’ll keep allergies to a minimum and make a great impression to your guests.

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Keeping Your Sisal Rug Sizzling

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Sisal rugs are naturally derived and beautifully designed to make any room in your house pop. Although the rug fibers come from a plant in South America, they do require routine maintenance to preserve their beauty and personality. Sisal rugs are semi-stain resistant water proof but do best when kept in a dry and arid environment. After buying your sisal rug, you probably want to know how to care for it so it stays looking new and fresh. Follow a few of these tips to keep your sisal rug sizzling and spectacular.

Sisal fibers do not do well with damp, wet or humid environments. They don’t make a good choice as a runner by your front door or for use in an area where wet feet may trample on it. A sisal rug should also be placed in room that has a low chance of seeing a spill. Dinning rooms and living rooms that get a lot of use would not be a good place to lay a sisal rug.

If water was to make its way to your sisal rug, you want to get it dry as soon as possible. The wetness of a spill or water from rain can quickly shrink the rug and distort its natural shape. It can also force the dirt that’s underneath the pile to come to the surface, giving the rug a dirty appearance. If you spill something on the carpet, clean it immediately by using a dry cloth to soak up as much of the spill as possible. If it doesn’t leave a stain, use a blow dryer to dry the area quickly. If there is a stain, use a stain removing solution by blotting the stain. Never rub a stain as this can push it deeper and more permanently into the rug.

Vacuum your sisal rug on a daily basis if it is in a high traffic area or at least once a week to keep dust and unwanted particles away form the rug. Avoid wearing shoes on a sisal rug as this can add unnecessary wear and tear to the carpet, aging it more quickly. Simply ask your guests to remove their shoes when visiting your home. Shampoo the sisal rug once every six months. After shampooing the carpet, turn it one complete turn clockwise to diversify the foot traffic pattern. This will keep even wear on the carpet so one portion of it doesn’t look more worn than another.

A few general tips to care for your rug is:

Rug pad extends rug life and protects floors.
Use rug indoors, away from high moisture areas.
To avoid fading, do not expose rug to direct sunlight.
Blot spills immediately using a dry absorbent cloth and do not allow water to soak rug.
Vacuum regularly to maintain best appearance.
Avoid using harsh chemicals that may damage the rug.
Do not pull loose ends. Clip scissors to remove.
Turn carpet around occasionally to equalize wear.
For hard-to-remove stains, professional rug cleaning is recommended.

Sisal area rugs require special attention and some extra care. If you follow these simple steps your sisal rug will treat you well and stay with your for many years to come. Remember to keep your sisal rug out of direct sunlight and away from humid or damp areas. This is probably the single most important aspect of caring for you sisal rug.

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Eco-Friendly Bamboo Cleaning Tips

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Bamboo area rugs are beautiful, eco-friendly and very versatile. After purchasing your bamboo area rug you’re left with the responsibility to care and maintain it. You probably bought a bamboo area rug because of its color, texture and durability and you’ll want to properly take care of it to keep it looking like new. The good news is that it doesn’t require much attention as other area rugs. Following a few basic steps can maintain your rug making it last a lifetime.

The easiest way to maintain it is to shake it out every day. If you don’t have a lot of foot traffic in your home or if the rug is in a room that doesn’t get used often, you can get away with shaking it out once a week. You can also use a vacuum to get up any loose debris or dust. The best type of vacuum to use on a bamboo area rug is a shop-vac. A shop-vac is very powerful and doesn’t use brushes or a spool – just air suction. If you have a traditional vacuum it’s best to use the arm extension than to use it upright. If you’re having difficulty getting some particles up, you may want to use a dust broom to loosen the particles that are stuck.

Rotate your bamboo area rug every six months to diversify the foot traffic pattern on the rug. Simply take the rug and turn it clockwise one turn. That means that the rug won’t repeat the same foot traffic pattern except every two years. This is an essential point to keeping your bamboo looking brand new.

If there are spills or other stains that make their way onto your bamboo area rug, clean them up immediately with a dry cloth or paper towel. Blot the stain to remove as much liquid as possible and then use a second dry cloth to press firmly on the stain. This will suck out as much of the spill as possible. While bamboo is semi-water resistant, you don’t want wet liquid to rest on your rug. If the stain isn’t liquid and is stuck to the bamboo, use a spoon to pull it up and then clean the area with hot soapy water. Use a hair dryer to dry the affected area quickly.

A few general tips to care for your rug is:

Rug pad extends rug life and protects floors.
Use rug indoors, away from high moisture areas.
To avoid fading, do not expose rug to direct sunlight.
Blot spills immediately using a dry absorbent cloth and do not allow water to soak rug.
Vacuum regularly to maintain best appearance.
Avoid using harsh chemicals that may damage the rug.
Do not pull loose ends. Clip scissors to remove.
Turn carpet around occasionally to equalize wear.
For hard-to-remove stains, professional rug cleaning is recommended.

You can also practice preventive measures to keep your bamboo area rug looking new. Keep your bamboo away from direct sunlight all day. If the rug is in an area that gets some sunlight exposure, that should be fine. You want to avoid excessive direct sunlight. If you use the bamboo rug outdoors, keep it stored indoors and keep your rug away from rain and highly humid areas. Keeping your bamboo area rug dry is essential to maintaining the longevity of the rug. Wipe your carpet down with a non-toxic, non-abrasive cleaning solution once a week to keep it dust free.

Posted in Bamboo Rugs, Natural Area Rugs, Rug Maintenance | No Comments »