The proper care and maintenanceof your oriental rugs will keep them looking beautiful and last for years. A lot of people think it’s best to leave the care of an oriental rug to the professionals who specialize in them and this is true but you can do a little care yourself to keep your rug looking beautiful while making it last a lot longer.
General wear, grit, moisture, insects and moths can be a problem. If the following tips are done on a regular basis, your rug should last for a long time. These tips are very practical and simple to follow and will keep your rug looking as new as the day you bought it. A small investment in maintaining the beauty will prevent the loss of your rug. It will need to be professionally cleaned on occasion.
Rotate the Rug Regularly- Rotate your rug at least once a year or more often for those placed in high-traffic areas. Passing feet will create a channel or pattern of wear if the rug is not rotated often. Rotating the rug will even out the signs of wear. Do the same to rugs exposed to sunlight, as ultraviolet rays can fade out the dyes used to color the fibers.
Regular Vacuuming of the Rug – Fibers in woven rugs will hold grime and dirt that gets embedded in the fibers when pressed together from walking the same direction on a regular basis. This will ruin your rug. To prevent this, regular vacuuming will remove this grime and dirt. Don’t vacuum your rug too much though, for this removes some of the fibers in the rug.
Proper vacuuming techniques are important. Vacuum in the direction of the pile, to find this, run your hand across the top to find the side that is shiny. Vacuum the front first, then vacuum the back and then the front again along the pile.
Check often for insects – Carpet moths and beetles can attack your rug and distroy it before you even know they are there. To prevent this, check your rug on a regular schedule, underneath the rug and in the pile.
Have it Cleaned Professionally- Once every year to three years depending on its use, location and climate, take your rug to professional cleaners for a more thorough cleaning. There is residual dust and dirt left after home cleaning that can slowly damage your rug without your noticing it.
Store it the right way – If you need to store your rug for a few months, roll it up in paper before storing it. Don’t use plastic because the rug fibers need to breathe. Without the proper ventilation, mildew may grow from the moisture and cause damage. Don’t store your rug in an area that is warm and moist.
Keep your Rug Safe from Water or Fire Damage- Clean your rug immediately if you have a fire. Some natural fibers and wool fibers can be damaged by soot, which is acidic. It must be dried after getting wet to prevent the growth of mildew.
Accidental Spills- As soon as the spill occurs, clean the stain. If the spill is liquid, mop the spill with an absorbent cloth. Solid matter can be removed with a spatula or spoon. As soon as possible, have it cleaned.
Home care and maintenance of rugs is easy if you know how and the above tips can help.
