Getting Your Rugs To Last Through Proper Care
nfortunately, rug care does not involve keeping anyone from dragging their muddy shoes inside or spilling their drinks – you area rug will get dirty at some point in its life. Keeping it clean means addressing problems as they occur and preventing some from happening in the first place.
The following are some techniques that you can put to good use in ensuring that your rug will serve you for a long, long time:
- Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will fade anything given enough time. If your rug is near a large window that lets a lot of sunshine in, you will get faded spots if you don’t do anything about it. Drawing the drapes closed at times when the sun is at its brightest helps a lot. You can rotate carpets so that not one single spot gets exposed more than the others. This tip also applies to rugs placed in areas with a lot of foot traffic. Rotate it so that it wears evenly and not develop any bald spots.
- Vacuum once a week. Do it less often and grit and dust accumulate? 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 it’s 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.
- If you washed your rug, make sure that it is completely dry before putting it back. Especially for homes with wood flooring, the trapped moisture between rug and floor will cause all sorts of nasty smells and will do a number on both the rug and the floor beneath it.
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.
Child-Friendly Floors
The Outside Story
Tips For Tidy Flooring
Guide To Flooring Options
Flooring for the Disabled
Different Types Of Flooring
The following are some techniques that you can put to good use in ensuring that your rug will serve you for a long, long time:
- Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will fade anything given enough time. If your rug is near a large window that lets a lot of sunshine in, you will get faded spots if you don’t do anything about it. Drawing the drapes closed at times when the sun is at its brightest helps a lot. You can rotate carpets so that not one single spot gets exposed more than the others. This tip also applies to rugs placed in areas with a lot of foot traffic. Rotate it so that it wears evenly and not develop any bald spots.
- Vacuum once a week. Do it less often and grit and dust accumulate? 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 it’s 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.
- If you washed your rug, make sure that it is completely dry before putting it back. Especially for homes with wood flooring, the trapped moisture between rug and floor will cause all sorts of nasty smells and will do a number on both the rug and the floor beneath it.
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.
Child-Friendly Floors
The Outside Story
Tips For Tidy Flooring
Guide To Flooring Options
Flooring for the Disabled
Different Types Of Flooring
