How To Maintain Your Area Rug

by Nick, Digital Specialist | May 30, 2020

Many of our clients use an area rug to add a pop of color or to help define a space. Here are some tips on how to keep that area rug looking great!

Many of our clients use area rugs to finish off the design of their room. It’s a great way to add a pop of color or to tie together a variety of colors, and can also bring some much-needed textural variety to a space. In open-concept spaces, area rugs can help define an area as a “room,” making a large space feel cozy. However, because they are often subject to lots of foot traffic, they require some routine maintenance to keep them looking their best.

When You Get Your Rug Home
- If your rug was folded or rolled, lay it flat to get the creases out. It may take a week or two for the creases to come out completely. Reverse-rolling the rug (rolling it in the opposite direction from how it came) will help.
- All rugs will sprout and shed as they break in. To remove little sprouts, cut the fiber with a small pair of scissors so it’s even with the rest of the rug- don’t tug on it. Also, shedding is a normal part of the process with any wool rug. In most cases, shedding with subside with time- expect that it will take 20 to 25 vacuums for it to stop. However, some wool rugs will shed for the life of the rug.
- Many times, a rug will have an odor when you take it out of the packaging- this could be from the yarn or a dye that was used. These odors usually go away in about a week.

Vacuuming Your Rug
- Vacuums without a beater bar are the best kind to use for an area rug- if your vacuum has a beater bar, turn it off before you start cleaning. Canister vacuums are the best choice for your area rug; upright vacuums can be too high-powered, and can actually suck the fibers out from the backing of the rug. Many times, the best choice may be to use the handheld attachment on your vacuum, if it came with one.
- If the rug has finished edges, don’t run the vacuum over the edge over and over. This will beat up the edges quickly and increase the chances of fraying. The same goes for fringe, if your carpet has that.

Cleaning Your Rug
- Clean spills immediately. The longer it sits, the more likely it is to stain. Be careful not to rub at a spill, though- blot it with a clean white cloth.
- Make sure to use clean water to remove any residual carpet cleaning product you might have used, and a dry towel to absorb any leftover moisture.
- Use extra caution when cleaning a spill on a wool rug. Use only lukewarm water, as wool rugs are more prone to staining and dye bleeding, compared to other rugs.

Other Tips
- Rotate your rug! Not many people think to do this because it can be a pain, but it will help to prolong the life of your carpet by spreading out the wear over the entire rug, instead of just one area.
- Professional cleaning is always a good idea. Make sure to inspect the rug with the cleaning expert before any work is performed. Get a signed receipt and a guarantee of work.
- A rug pad will help with more than skidding and slipping. It will act as a buffer between the rug and your floor, allowing air to circulate through the rug.

Rugs can be a great addition to any room and, when properly maintained, can last for a really long time. Just make sure to follow these few tips and tricks to keep it looking its best!