The proper care and maintenance of your oriental rugs will keep them looking beautiful and last for years. A lot of people think it's best to leave the care of an oriental rug to the professionals who specialize in them and this is true but you can do a little care yourself to keep your rug looking beautiful while making it last a lot longer.
The main enemies of rugs include general wear and tear, moisture, grit, moths and insects. The following tips will help you care and maintain your rug by combating these elements and will give your rug a longer usable life. Many are simple and practical; some may require a small additional investment, while others are to be performed by professionals.
Regularly Rotate the Rug - Your rug needs to be rotated once a year, especially if it's in an area that is walked on a lot. A path of wear will be created when it walked on, over and over, by rotating the rug, this will be prevented. If your rug is exposed to direct sunlight, this will fade the colors of the fibers. Rotation is important to even out fading as well as wear.
Oriental rugs need to be vacuumed often - Dirt and grime is held in the fibers of the oriental rugs which causes wear. Walking on the rugs can in bed the fibers together which causes it to wear faster. This can ruin the rug if not vacuumed out regularly. The fibers of the rug are removed also. Caution should be taken not to over do the vacuuming.
Vacuum along the pile, first the front, then the back and the front again. To find the pile direction, pass your hand across the pile and note the shiny side. That is the pile direction.
Watch Out for Insects- Examine the back of the rug for signs of insect damage often and regularly. Carpet beetles and moths can damage your precious carpet or rug extensively in the pile and foundation so it is best to know as early as possible if they have attacked.
Clean it by Professionals - For a more thorough cleaning, you should take it to professional cleaners at least once a year or up to three years according to where your rug is used. The climate and location of its use will determine this. Your rug can slowly be damaged to grime and dirt that is left in by your vacuum cleaner and decrease the life of your rug without your knowledge.
Store it the right way - If you need to store your rug for a few months, roll it up in paper before storing it. Don't use plastic because the rug fibers need to breathe. Without the proper ventilation, mildew may grow from the moisture and cause damage. Don't store your rug in an area that is warm and moist.
Keep your Rug Safe from Water or Fire Damage- Soot is acidic and can damage wool or some natural fibers. Have your rug cleaned immediately after a fire. Water encourages mildew to grow so dry the rug right away after being wetted.
Accidental Spills- Clean off stains as soon as possible, removing solid matter with a spoon or spatula and tamping the rug with some absorbent material to remove spilled liquids. Have it cleaned as soon as possible.
The above tips will help you to keep your rug beautiful and insure a longer lasting life.
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