How to Properly Care for Your Rugs
You do not always have to hire a professional cleaner to do the work for you. There are certain preventative and cleaning measures you can employ to keep your rugs in tip-top shape.
Here are some ways to properly care for your rugs:
Use a Rug Pad
Putting a rug pad underneath the rug can help stabilize and keep your rug in one place. This can help accidental spills or slips from happening that could seriously hurt you, your family, and your guests. A rug pad is a great preventative measure that is also very practical and can help protect the rug’s foundation, thereby making it last longer. A rug pad can provide better sound absorption and buffer between the rug and the floor. Investing in a thick rug rather than using a thin one can save you money down the road by not replacing when it is stretched overtime.
Move Around or Rotate Your Rug
You can slow down the process of normal wear and tear if you rotate your rugs regularly. You can do this by simply rotating the rug 180 degrees each time. You can pretty much even out the exposure to wear and tear by lessening the concentration of deterioration by rotating the rug.
Lessen Moisture Exposure
Rugs can easily be damaged by exposing to moisture. As much as possible, keep your rugs away from damp places, like bathrooms or basements that have humid air and wet spots. If you use rugs in your kitchen where liquid spills are more likely to happen, buy cheaper or machine-washable rugs that you can use. If you accidentally spill water on your precious rugs, blot out the area where the spill happened right away.
Deal with Stains Before or Right After it Happens
One of the most common problems that people encounter with rugs is having to deal with stains whether from dirt or soil, spilled colored drinks, animal soils and urines, etc. Protecting your rugs from these stains before or right after they happen can ensure longevity of your rugs. There are stain guards or protections that are readily available in stores that you can spray on to protect your rugs. Find the one that would work best for your rug. Have a test done at the underside of your rug to ensure there is no negative chemical reaction. Use as directed and re-apply every now and then to reseal the rugs. On the other hand, if your rug had already been stained, immediately remove the stain by using an approved stain remover that you keep handy for accidental staining. The sooner you address the stain problem, the sooner the stain will be removed.
Avoid Over-exposure to Sunlight
UV (ultraviolet) rays coming from the sun can cause fading and damage to your rugs. Furthermore, over-exposure to the sunlight can speed up the aging process of your rugs. Keep your precious rugs away from windows and glass doors. If you cannot avoid placing them close to windows and glass doors, make sure to put thick window coverings that can shield from harsh sunlight during hot sunny days.
Carefully Vacuum your Rugs
Some vacuums have strong suction powers or rough wheels that can damage rugs. Make sure to change the height settings of your vacuum prior to using on your rugs. Avoid vacuuming the fringes and other delicate borders that can easily get sucked in by a powerful vacuum.
Shake and Pat Outdoors
If your rug is very delicate, you may want to avoid using a vacuum to remove dust and dirt. Take your rug outside, hang it on the fence or laundry line then shake and pat gently removing the dusts. Make sure to wear a dust mask to protect yourself from inhaling the dust particles.
Properly caring for your rugs can ensure that they last for a long time offering years of comfort for you and your family.
