Rug Care Tips
The great thing about rug care is that
handmade rugs don't really need that much maintenance. Most rugs
will last several decades, and in the case of finer rugs of higher
quality, a rug may last a few centuries. Walking on rugs will not
hurt them, in fact, many corporations use handmade rugs in foyers or in
front of elevators where traffic is incredibly high. Although
these rugs can withstand such high abuse, they will definitely last
even longer with just a little care. Receiving your rug
Rug care for newly received rugs is very simple. Carefully cut the tape with scissors or a blade. Once the tape is cut, unwrap the plastic protective layer. As this point, you may be aware of an odor. Simply allowing the rug to air out will cause the odor to disappear. Unroll and unfold the rug, then weigh down the corners for about 24 hours. This will help return the rug to its natural flat state. You notice that the rug has creases in it from being packed. Simply walk on these creases over the next few days and they will eventually disappear. It may take awhile, but your new rug will flatten completely.
Cleaning
Rug care by cleaning is not as difficult as many may think. Because most of our rugs are made of natural wool, it is very hard for them to stain, and very easy for them to be cleaned. If your rug becomes stained by accident, take some soap, warm water, and a sponge to cleanse it gently. Be sure to rub with the pile of the rug, not against it. This method will get almost any stain out instantly. If you spill some sort of peroxide, such as bleach on the rug, you might have to take it to a professional.
The traditional broom works great with handmade rugs. Be sure to sweep in the same direction in which the pile of the rug faces. Try not to use a vacuum cleaner with a beater brush. Strictly suction vacuum cleaners are best to use with handmade rugs. Again, try to vacuum the rug going with the pile, not against it which forces the dirt back into the rug.
For optimum rug care, once every two or three years, it's suggested that you thoroughly clean your rug. Use a fabric cleaner for wool rugs, and a dry cleaning fluid for silk rugs. They are also excellent for removing any stain that may occur. Be sure to apply a small amount of cleaner to a test area of the rug first. Then proceed to the affected area after you see that the material does not bleed. Spray or apply cleaner to a clean white cloth; gently blot the soiled area from the outside-in to ensure that the stain does not become bigger. We offer both fabric cleaner and dry cleaning fluid to our clients, you may view them here.
Direct sunlight
Although not harmful to the rug, constant exposure to direct sunlight may cause the colors in rugs to mute and slightly fade. This will give the rug an antique look that many people favor. Rugs colored mainly with natural vegetable dyes will fade into a soft and subtle patina with time and long exposure to direct sunlight. Rugs colored with chrome dyes will not fade as quickly.
Under-padding
Another important rug care suggestion is under-padding. Under-padding is used to provide airflow between your floor and the rug, in addition to stabilizing the rug. Airflow allows the rug to breath, which in turn will extend the life of the rug. Under-padding also prevents the crushing and wearing of the pile after heavy use, another way of greatly extending the life of your rug. We offer several different sizes of under-padding at excellent prices, you may view them here.
Rotating your rug
Rotating your rug every 6-12 months helps even out the wear caused by traffic, and also helps even out fading caused by sunlight. Fading is natural as your rug ages, but keeping your rug out of direct sunlight will help keep the colors vibrant longer.
Tables and chairs
Table and chair legs won't hurt your rugs. However, if the bottom of the leg is less than an inch in diameter or sharp in any way, use a coaster to absorb the pressure. Similarly, do not place sharp objects underneath the rug. You should also remove any wires or cables from under the rug, letting it lie completely flat.
Carpet repair
Handmade carpets can easily be repaired in case of tears or cuts of any size. The process consists of joining the knots together from the back of the carpet with the same material as the foundation of the carpet. Repairing a carpet with silk thread, however, is better as silk is finer and stronger than wool or cotton. A carpet that has been professionally repaired should look as good as new.
Article produced by: Rugman.com
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