Taking Care of Area Rugs

Area Rugs are a pleasant addition to your home and give an opulent and warm feeling to the house. There is a wide variety of designs and fabrics to choose from when it comes to buying an area rug, though buying an area rug is a great expense. Therefore, one must take proper care of the rug to maintain its original state. However, cleaning a rug can be quite a task and if not done properly can ruin your rug. Hence, professional cleaning must be done. Though one can take care of his rugs on his own by vacuuming, spot removals and steam cleaning, it is advised to take a professional suggestion before going out on your own.

Well-made square area rug is meant to last for many years, and can even be handed down to your heirs if properly cared for. That means guarding against a rug's greatest enemies, mildew, dirt, moths, carpet beetles, and of course, general wear-and-tear of daily use. Here are a few tips on keep your area rug looking great and in good shape.

One of the most important things to do to preserve the life of your area rug is to rotate it from time to time. That way, one section of the rug won't receive more traffic than others for long periods, and your carpet will wear evenly. The same is true of exposure to sunlight. If there are bright colors in your rug, you'll want to have all areas exposed to sunlight as evenly as possible, since a certain amount of fading is inevitable.

If something gets spilled on your rug, immediately take steps to remove the moisture, because moisture promotes mildew, which is one of the most harmful enemies of area rugs. Using a paper towel, begin at the outside edge of the spill and work inward, to minimize spreading of the stain. If the stain is severe and your area rug is of heirloom quality, take the rug to a professional cleaner as soon as possible.

A relatively inexpensive way to help minimize wear while adding some slip protection to your area rug is an underlay pad or area rug pads. They're available at most improvement centers and hardware stores, and can add years to the life your rug by providing a cushion between foot traffic and the floor. They'll also help the rug stay in place, reducing the chance of injury by slipping.

If for some reason you decide to store your area rug for an extended period (for instance, if you bought your rug as an investment, which isn't uncommon), first take it to a professional cleaner and have it thoroughly cleaned and protected against damage from moths. Then wrap the rug in a breathable material, and not in plastic which will encourage moisture, which in turn will encourage the growth of mildew.

A well-crafted, beautiful area rug can not only make a dramatic statement in a room, but it can also be a sound investment, and if you give it the proper care, it can be passed from generation to generation.