Tuesday, July 26, 2011

An Easy Guide to Good Rug Care

By Sacha Megan Miller


Until they come up with an area rug that resists stains, spills, and does not accumulate dirt, you have to keep yours clean if you want to get years of use out of it. Since you cannot prevent everyone from stepping on your precious rug or spilling the dreaded glass or red wine on it, all you can really do is be as vigilant as you can in addressing the problems as soon as they arise.

The techniques listed below should help you on your mission to keep unsightly stains and dirt away:

- No matter what your rug is made out of, it is best if you can keep it in the shade. Sunlight fades all things with color and your rug -no matter how fine and expensive, is no exception. Keep it away from open windows that let the sunshine in. If this can't be helped, you have to rotate your rugs regularly so that not one single spot gets older than the rest. This tactic is also applicable to rugs used in hallways and doorsteps. They get a lot of foot traffic so they get worn out faster. Regular rotation ensures that wear is at least uniform and even - no ugly bald spots.

- Vacuum once a week. Do it less often and grit and dust accumulates. Carpets get abraded and stained when left dirty. But overdo the vacuuming and you end up stretching and unraveling the fibers, so moderation is key.

- With all the care you give, you'll have to wash your rugs sooner or later. Consult the washing instructions and follow them to the letter. Also, only use cleaning products intended for rug care.

- A natural flokati rug is best handled with care. Regular brushing should do for maintenance. But if you absolutely must wash it, don't put it in the washing machine. Instead, fill your bathtub and wash it there using a mild detergent intended for wool. Warm water will cause shrinkage so its best to use cold water direct from the tap. Do everything by hand, including the scrubbing and rinsing. Hang it out to dry away from direct sunlight as this can also cause damage similar to using hot water.

- Soaking a bamboo rug will invite molds so the best thing here is to stick to dusting, sweeping, and shaking it out. If you must use a wet method, just use a rag or cleaning cloth dampened with a water and household cleaner solution and wipe away the dirt. The key here is to prevent any excessive moisture from getting in the bamboo fibers.

- Get the carpet as dry as possible before returning it. Your beautiful wood flooring will get damaged along with your carpet if you let moisture get trapped and no amount of waxing can get it back.

Whatever kind of rug you have, it is best to prevent dirt and stains from accumulating. Keeping it clean is always better than waiting for it to become absolutely filthy before going in with chemicals and stiff brushes.

You don't have to make caring for a rug more complicated than it needs to be. The care instructions written on it should be enough to get to maintain the look of your pride and joy. It lists various do's and don'ts that you should know when attempting to clean your rug. A mixture of common sense, the right technique, and a little elbow grease is all that it takes, really.




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