Keeping your rugs looking fresh and clean is the key to their longevity. They usually last a lot longer if they are kept well maintained. Vacuuming regularly, employing an expert carpet cleaner at least once a year and regular dry cleaning of your rugs are all essential steps that will give them the best chance for survival.
If not taken regular care the rugs will start to show signs of wear and tear, which can put a big hole in your wallet. Which in some cases can be avoided by implementing these easy and cheap ways to maintain your rugs.
The best thing about the following tips is that they require very little effort from you – but they can make a huge difference!
1) Routine Cleaning
Routine dusting and vacuuming the rugs should be a part of your regular household chores at least once every week. This is the easiest way to remove any dust or dirt particles that may have settled on top and prevents the risk of them becoming embedded in the pile.
A vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush roll is able to reach deep into fibers and remove all kinds of dirt and dust particles. To get rid of hard-to-remove dirt such as grains of sand or food particles, place hand protection over your hand and use it as a scrubbing tool when vacuuming over these areas. Never vacuum alcohol or any other flammable substances, as they may ignite and cause a fire.
2) Remove Spills Immediately
Any spills or accidents on your rugs should always be taken care of as soon as possible. Don’t wait for them to dry and if necessary, use a damp cloth to remove any residue – do not scrub!
Vacuuming is also especially important after any spills as it can remove as much as 97% of the liquid from the surface. In the event that you spill something on your rug accidentally, remove all of the excess liquid.
If possible, immediately soak up as much of the spilled substance with absorbent towels or napkins without actually rubbing them over the fibers since this will only push the substance deeper into the pile.
You can also apply ice cubes directly to dried spots until they disappear completely – this is another great way for removing spills before vacuuming later on!
3) Professional Carpet Cleaning at Least Once a Year
Hiring a professional to clean your rugs at least once a year will give them the longest possible lifespan. Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to bring back the softness of fibers, remove any dirt particles that may have found their way into the carpets, as well as remove dust mites, which are microscopic creatures that live in carpets for years. Visit https://www.ruggleup.com/ for some of the best tips to take care of your rugs/carpets to have them last for decades to come. Not just that, you can also buy some of the best, most luxurious rugs out there.
They use both dry and steam cleaning to ensure carpets are completely clean. The dry cleaning process is for delicate Oriental rugs where the process would not affect the pattern, but they steam clean any other types of rugs to ensure they are completely free from dirt and dust.
If you can’t afford professional carpet cleaning every year, dry cleaning is another great alternative. The process itself uses specialized chemicals to dissolve stains in fabrics without using water or steam, which allows it to be used on all kinds of textiles including silk, leather, and fur.
To self dry clean your rugs, you need to sprinkle the rug with either cornstarch or talcum powder and scrub it gently. But make sure you don’t do it over white wall-to-wall carpets as the powder will leave a mark.
The powder works like a magnet to attract dirt particles, which you brush away after about fifteen minutes or so. After cleaning your rugs yourself, make sure to let them dry thoroughly in an open space before bringing them back into your home again.
But make sure to only use dry cleaners as a last resort when dealing with tough stains that no other process will remove!
4) Rotate Your Rugs
Rotating your rugs will even out the wear and tear that they endure. Doing this will prevent one side from wearing under more intense usage. Rotate small rugs every six months, medium-sized ones once a year and large-sized carpets should be rotated once every 2-3 years. If you are unable to rotate your rug yourself, many professional carpet cleaners also offer this service at an affordable fee.
When rotating, make sure that the rugs are laid out in the same way that they were before, so that you can easily put the furniture back on when rotating the compressed section of the rug.
5) Getting Rid Of Animal Hair & Odor Immediately
Almost everyone owns a furry friend, but your rugs might not be so friendly to them. Pet hair can build up on carpets over time and do permanent damage to the fibers even if they’re dyed. To get rid of pet hair, use a rubber pet brush and sweep in circular motions.
Pets also love to sleep on, walk over or play with the rug, leaving it covered in stains and odors. Remove these by blotting up any liquid spills immediately and sprinkling baking soda onto smelly areas. Vacuum the baking soda when it’s dry.
6) Do Not Over Vacuum Your Rugs
Different fabrics require different amounts of suction when being cleaned, but for most carpets, you should only need to vacuum once in each direction before moving on to the next section of the carpet.
If you over-vacuum one part of your rug, the pile of the carpet is compressed and you will need to do a thorough vacuuming all over again. This process not only wastes time but can even damage the carpet’s texture. Furthermore, it will significantly reduce the lifespan of the carpet being cleaned.
7) Avoid Direct Sunlight
Rugs particularly absorb light and it’s important not to expose them to excessive amounts, however stunning they may appear in sunlight. Not only does this fade colors, but prolonged exposure could damage the rug fibers or cause unsightly bleaching on some types of fabric used in their construction.
If necessary, consider using floor-to-ceiling curtains or blinds which can prevent sun rays from entering through windows directly and also keep your rugs free from dust.
During winter months it’s best to bring any outdoor rugs inside especially if you do not have proper storage space for them in case of heavy snowfall or colder temperatures which can cause fibers to freeze and break down over time.
8) Use Rubber Scrapers Or Brushes To Scour Away Dirt
A quick and easy way to clean up soil, mud, or other surface dirt is simply to use rubber scrapers. Ensure you use the correct cleaning products on different types of fabrics too. If in doubt, always check with staff at your local carpet cleaner or linen shop for advice.
Whatever you do, make sure to not use static cloth or dusters on your rugs. Static cloths or dusters will cause static to build up in the fibers of your rug, especially when it’s dry. This attracts all kinds of dirt, dust, and hair which are then very difficult to remove!
9) Use Rug Mats If You’re Walking With Shoes
To extend their life and protect them from damage, always use a rug mat when people walk over your rugs with shoes on. Doing so will prevent abrasions and stress being put through them by shoes or furniture legs – as well as protecting hardwood floors beneath.
Also, make sure that the rugs are laying flat and not folded. Walking on rugs lying folded on the floor will cause stress through their folds which can result in irreversible damage if done for an extended period of time. Be sure to always keep them flat, as this is the safest way to avoid permanent creasing.
10) Do Not Bleach & Always Test Before Shampooing
If you have a natural fiber rug, it is advised that you do not bleach this as this can cause damage. Natural fibers include silk, cotton, wool, and jute. These are very sensitive to chemicals so be careful when approaching them with any cleaning agents. Always test first in a small corner of the rug before immersing the entire thing in water or applying chemicals.
In addition, if your rugs are made from synthetic materials then it is okay to use a mild detergent solution to clean them – but be sure to rinse VERY well!
Before using any shampoo on your rugs, make sure they are colorfast. If there’s any chance that dye from the soap may run off onto surrounding flooring or walls, use detergent instead as it is less likely to cause damage.
FAQs
How often should I clean my rugs?
Rugs should be cleaned once a month. If you have small children or pets, they would need to be cleaned more often. When choosing cleaners, ensure that they are suitable for the material your rug is made from.
What is the best way to vacuum a rug?
Make sure the suction on the vacuum cleaner is turned up high to suck out as much dust and dirt as possible. When hoovering along edges of your rug it’s best to hold them down with weights at either end so they don’t slip under whilst being hovered over. You can also purchase attachments that go on the end of your hoover to give those hard-to-reach areas a good clean.
How can I revive my faded rug?
If your rug seems to have lost its vibrancy, perhaps due to sunlight damage, you might want to try adding a little water with bleach until you get the desired coloring.
When vacuuming your rugs regularly, check them for any signs of wear or damage, as well as the possibility that they may have picked up spills or stains. If you spot any, you should remove them immediately.
If they’re damaged, the rugs would need to be taken away to the manufacturers for repair or if it is fixable, you could always try doing it at home using a needle and thread.
Also, be on the lookout for areas of your rug where it has become loose and may need re-stitching or gluing. Just make sure that the material isn’t too fragile before attempting repairs yourself.
