Area rugs can effortlessly transform any room. Whether it’s the living room, dining area, bedroom, or a small study, area rugs can decorate and anchor a room, making it look inviting and comfy. That said, area rugs are also guilty of being a dust and dirt magnet—home to millions of microorganisms, pollen particles, dust mites, and mold spores. What’s more, they take a lot of beating every single day. Sooner or later, they won’t look as good as the time you bought them.
Fortunately, there’s a way to extend their lifespan and make them look good for longer. This article shares six cleaning and maintenance tips to keep your area rugs in tip-top condition.
1. Know Your Rugs
Before any cleaning or maintenance tips, experts highly recommend that you first familiarise yourself with your area rug. Each rug is different and will require different care. So, you’d want to take the time to determine what kind of material or yarn it’s made of, the type of backing it has, or any special instructions from the manufacturer on how to care for it. Knowing the type of area rug you have allows you to tailor its cleaning and maintenance, preventing unnecessary damage to its material.
2. Schedule Professional Deep Cleaning
Experts recommend that area rugs be deep cleaned at least once a year, depending on their location and how much traffic they receive. While you can try to do this yourself, a provider like Rug Wash Specialist can ensure a deeper, proper clean. These experts have the right tools and the best experience on how to deal with your specific area rug material. This allows them to effectively clean and remove unwanted stains on your area rugs in just a short period.
3. Rotate Rugs Regularly
One of the best ways to maintain your area rugs and keep them in pristine condition is simply rotating them every now and then. This is particularly true if you have an area rug that extends under furniture. The overused or exposed areas of your rug will start showing wear and fade much faster than those hidden areas. By rotating your rug at least every three months, you allow even wear, giving overused areas a break while revealing fresh, like-new rug surfaces.
4. Manage Shedding
If you have a new area rug, then chances are you’ve seen its fibres falling out. It’s called shedding and is completely normal. Although normal, it can be quite annoying. To manage this, consider vacuuming the area rug at least once or twice a week. Once you notice that your rug doesn’t shed as much, you can cut back on your vacuum routine. Also, if your rug develops stray loops that stick up taller than the rest, never pull them out. Instead, cut them back to size to prevent unwanted damage.
5. Have A Vacuuming Routine
Speaking of vacuuming, area rugs will require frequent vacuuming sessions, at least once a week to pick up any dust, dirt, and debris. Being diligent in vacuuming helps prevent dirt from settling deeply into the fabric where it becomes harder to remove. That said, before vacuuming, make sure to give the rug a shake outside. This helps dislodge any loose dirt and dust that’s trapped within the fibres, which can then be picked up by your vacuum cleaner. Depending on your vacuum cleaner, make sure to choose the suction-only function. Never use the upright vacuum cleaner or rotary brush since these can cause fibre shedding and damage to the rug. Also, use a vacuum with an adjustable pile height and adjust accordingly. Lastly, don’t forget to vacuum the area rug’s underside, too.
6. Remove Spills Immediately
As much as you try to avoid spilling on your rug, accidents do happen. And when they do, you need to clean them up right away. As soon as a liquid is spilled onto your area rug, soak it up to prevent it from penetrating into the yarns. Then, dampen a tissue paper or a white cloth and blot the affected area. Don’t rub the area since it can spread the stain further and damage the rug’s surface. Repeat the process until the stain is removed and all liquid has been absorbed. Leave the rug to dry completely. You can use a fan to help it dry faster.
Takeaway
There’s no denying the wonderful benefits that an area rug can give to your home—from adding extra style and décor to covering uncomfortable, cold flooring. That said, you want to make the most out of your investment and keep them in good shape for years. So, make sure to follow the above tips to keep your area rugs looking great for years to come.
