Rugs are a big expense and you want to make them last for a very long time. With the proper care and maintenance you can make any rug last for years while looking great and keeping your floor warm.
Rug padding is essential in proper rug maintenance. Placing padding down that is between 3mm and 6mm thick can protect your floor and help absorb traffic on your rug. Over time the padding can wear down but you can replace it and preserve the life of the rug.
When it’s possible rotate your rug to increase the life of the rug. This will help you avoid high traffic areas that sometimes tend to wear down quickly leaving a path in your rug. It will also avoid sun fading if it is located at a window with direct sunlight.
Cleaning your rugs can save them. If you cannot clean your rug then it would be a great idea to hire a professional to come in and clean it for you. Their equipment can help clean the rug in no time and leave you with a fresh clean rug ready to last you a few more years. Over time, dirt and grime can wear down the fibers causing it to crumble. It can also change the look and feel of the rug.
Avoid vacuum cleaning delicate rugs whose fibres could get damaged with the force of suction. When you are drying a rug, don’t hang or drape it – it should be laid flat on the ground and care should be taken not to step on it until it is completely dry.
If the rug is in front of a window you need to have a full length curtain on the window that can help shield the sun from directly shining on the rug. This will help preserve the life of your rug and keep the colors bright.
When you are moving rugs around, roll them up; do not fold them. Folding can cause permanent creases and even tear the fibres of the rug. If you are moving house, keep rolled up rugs on top of furniture, and don’t place any heavy objects on them. When you lay the rug out again, if any of the corners stick up, you can place a few books on it for a few days to make it flat again. Creases that have formed during transportation will flatten out when the rug is placed flat and walked on as usual.
