People get area rugs for various reasons: some like the color they add to the room, some use it to protect their floors, and others use it to define the space around their homes. But one thing’s for sure: without proper care, area rugs can’t perform their job to the fullest. That’s why maintenance should always be a top consideration when you buy rugs online. Although they’re not as big an investment as a floor or carpet, the costs do add up when you have to keep replacing them or having them professionally cleaned.
So how do you take care of an area rug? Well, the good news is that today’s rugs are a lot more low-maintenance than earlier kinds. New materials have emerged that offer the same comfort, quality and value, but with much stronger fibers that don’t need a lot of attention. The amount of work that goes into rug care depends on the kind of environment it’s in. Take a good look at your lifestyle and see how much abuse your rug goes through on a daily basis. If you’re not sure how, this guide offers a few simple ideas.
Choose hard-wearing materials.
A bit of maintenance goes a long way, but the material you choose also plays a big role in the overall longevity of your area rug. Among the most low-maintenance options are reversible braided rugs, which, as the name suggests, can be turned over and used on both sides. Because they get twice as much use, these rugs are usually made with high-quality materials and are specifically designed for high-traffic areas. And as an added perk, it offers more variety in design—it’s like having two rugs for the price of one!
Different rug materials are designed for different purposes. As much as possible, be familiar with the properties of each material and how well they can stand up to your kind of lifestyle. For example, if you have kids and pets, you’ll want to avoid light fabrics like silk and cotton, as they’ll fray more easily than wool or sisal. Generally, the heavier the material is, the longer it’s likely to last.
Vacuum regularly.
Some people insist that vacuuming is harsh on area rug fibers. That may have been true some years ago, but not anymore—in fact, vacuuming is much safer than washing or even shaking the rug. Shaking causes a quick whipping action that loosens the fibers and causes part of the rug to unravel. So the dust may be shaken loose, but the rug itself gets thinner with every wash. New vacuum cleaners are usually gentler on the fabric, and just as efficient.
Outdoor area rugs may require a stronger vacuum cleaner as they usually gather more dirt than indoor rugs. However, you also have to consider the length and thickness of the pile. High-powered vacuums usually work best for rugs with dense, thick pile. For those with longer knots, such as shag rugs, the strong suction may weaken the fibers over time and cause them to fade or fray. Since each rug is made differently, your best bet is to test different settings until you find one that works for you.
Remove stains immediately.
This is probably the most common form of damage to area rugs, and often the most difficult to fix. Stains tend to seep quickly into the rug fabric and get harder to remove the longer you wait. As you can imagine, the problem is a lot more visible on solid color area rugs, where there are no patterns to at least camouflage them. Your first step should be to blot out what you can using a sponge or absorbent cloth. It won’t remove the stain completely, but it will prevent the stain from spreading while you prepare the real fix.
If the spill is still wet, make sure not to rub the cloth on the rug—that’ll only make it set faster. Instead, press down firmly on one spot at a time until you’ve removed most of the moisture. For dried-up spills, scrape it away with a spoon or the dull edge of a knife. Once the stain is gone, let it dry completely, then use a vacuum cleaner to remove any residues and restore the rug’s texture.
Turn the rug once in a while.
Regular wear is one of the less obvious problems with area rugs. Over time, your rug undergoes daily wear and tear as people walk, step, play, sit, and run on it. High-traffic areas will naturally get more wear than others, and these spots will be the first to start looking old. To keep things looking even, turn the rug once in a while to better distribute the wear-out. Don’t have a lot of room to turn? Go for round or shaped area rugs—since they don’t have straight corners, they’ll be easier to reposition without rearranging the entire room.