Rug Care

Here are some rug care guidelines that will keep your carpet and area rugs looking great and lasting longer.

Vacuuming: The absolute most important thing you can do for your rug is to vacuum it often. Notice all the dust that settles on furniture and hard floors? That same dust collects on your rug. Vacuum often and you’ll get to the dust before it’s had a chance to get into carpet fibers and cause permanent damage.

Vacuuming tips:

1. For delicate and handmade rugs use a plain vacuum nozzle as rotating power brushes can pull and weaken knots.
2. Vacuum WITH the nap of the rug. Going against the nap tends to press dirt further into the fibers. (Hint: To find the nap of your rug, run your hand across the pile towards the outer border. In one direction the pile will feel smooth in another direction it will feel rough. The smooth side is the nap.)
3. Occasionally, vacuum the underside of your rugs, especially entryway rugs that get a lot of traffic. This shakes away things that unsuspecting feet (or paws) have brought into your home before they get a chance to overstay their welcome.

* Allergens and bacteria can collect in the rug fibers. Remember that kids and pets tend to be low to the ground!

Rotation: Another way to keep your rug looking fresh is to rotate it at least once a year. In higher traffic zones rotate your rug more often for even wear. If your rug has constant exposure to the sun it will fade, occasional rotation will equalize the effects.

If you find that your rug is being exposed to a lot of sunlight, it may be time to look at your window coverings. Blocking out harmful UV rays will help keep your carpet/rugs looking bright and beautiful.

(Hint: Even if your area rug is in a low traffic area, rotating your rug is good protection from unwanted pest invasions. Moths will use dark, quiet corners under furniture to lay their eggs. Moth larvae are known to feast on wool, silk and other carpet fibers.)

Rug Pad Protection: A good quality rug pad can extend the life of your rug. Here are some of the practical reasons a rug pad is a worthwhile investment:

1. Area rugs pads keep rugs safely anchored in place, on hard floor surfaces and in rug-to-carpet situations.
2. A rug pad will provide cushioned comfort and a uniform look over tiled floors that have grout lines or other patterns. Over time floors that have deep patterns will ruin the shape of your rug.
3. With a rug pad floor surfaces can breathe so odor causing mildew and bacteria can’t grow.

A rug pad should be about an inch smaller than your rug, on all sides.

Do you have an odd sized area rug? Fill out our online order form to have a custom fit rug pad shipped right to your door!

Storage: There may come a time when you’ll want to store your rug. Following these storage procedures will help to keep your rugs safely stored.

1. Have your rugs cleaned and use an insect repellent before you wrap them up for storage.
2. Roll your rug with the pile side on the inside. Following the nap, go to the end or bottom and roll from that end. (The exception to this rule is for silk rugs- they should be rolled with the pile side out.)
3. Never fold a rug you are storing. Not only will a folded rug lose its shape it will start to crack over time.
4. Wrap your rug in a breathable fabric or brown acid-free paper. Never use plastic.
5. If you are storing your rug in a storage facility, find a way to store it off the ground. That way if water comes into the storage container, your rug is less likely to be damaged by flooding.
6. Don’t store heavy items on your area rug. Remember to inspect your rug often while it is in storage.

Proper rug care will keep your rugs looking great for a long time, but, in time you’ll want to have your rug professionally cleaned. How often should you have your rugs cleaned? Below are general cleaning guidelines.

* In homes where dust mite allergies are a concern, natural anti-allergen treatments are recommended.