To keep your area rugs looking stunning all year round, they need a little maintenance. It can be tempting to lay and forget about a rug, thinking it’ll just do its own thing. While it will survive without attention, a good cleaning routine eliminates dirt and allergens and prolongs the rugs useful life.
Rug fibres can attract millions of microorganisms, some which may not be great for the health. Let’s take a look at how to keep your area rugs beautiful throughout the year.
Remove Shoes Inside the Home
Not allowing shoes in the home is one of the easiest ways to protect your rugs. Shoes can scuff and tear rug fibres pretty easily and in a high traffic area, even more damage will be caused. Another reason is the amount of dirt shoes bring in, which transfer into the rug fibres. Prolong your rugs life and keep shoes outdoors.
Vacuum the Rug Regularly
Another simple but essential tip for rug maintenance – vacuum regularly. Even if you keep shoes outside, dirt will eventually build up in your rugs. Aim to vacuum at least twice a week and even more for busy areas. If you have an outdoor space, take your rug outside once monthly and beat it over a washing line. This dislodges any stubborn particles caught deep down.
Spot Clean Stains After a Spill
If caught quickly, stains are a lot easier to deal with. After a spillage, soak up as much liquid as possible with a clean dry cloth. Dab the area without rubbing which can damage the rug fibres. For tough stains like coffee or red wine, mix equal parts washing up liquid, white wine vinegar and warm water to gently wipe over the stain and rinse with clean water after.
Rotate Furniture Every Six Months
Another top tip to keep your rugs fresh is rotating furniture every six months. This helps to reduce weight marks, wear marks in traffic areas and sunlight ageing on certain parts of the rug. While moving your rugs around, use this as an opportunity to clean the rug if it’s machine washable.
Get a Professional Rug Clean
Regularly cleaning your area rugs will extend their useful life and keep them looking fresh. But, DIY carpet and rug cleaning often misses the deep down dirt. If you suffer from allergies, you may notice this with heightened symptoms like sneezing and coughing. Contact your local carpet cleaners, who can effectively clean your rugs, carpets and upholstery.
