High quality oriental rugs are beautiful and valuable, like fine art, so you’ll certainly want to take measures to protect them and extend their life and beauty. While seeking and finding these elegant rugs may be a passionate pursuit, keeping your rug looking pristine may not seem quite as exciting. But it need not be confusing or tedious. Let these tips and suggestions make maintaining your rugs an easier task!
Tip #1 – Rotate your rug frequently
Doing this will ensure the rug gets even exposure to light and wear, and will maintain a consistent look over time. Any fading will be spread evenly and no pile will be worn down more than any other. This is the most effective and also the easiest thing you can do to keep your rug looking newer longer.
Also, if you have furniture sitting atop your rug for a long time, the wool in those portions of the rug that bear the weight of the furniture is likely to get permanently damaged, ruining the overall look of the rug. Rotating the rug regularly will prevent this from happening.
Tip #2 – Don’t Wait for A Moth Attack
Moths may look small and not capable of doing much damage but they are in fact the single largest enemy of oriental rugs and are capable of doing widespread damage. It is not the adult moth but actually the moth larva that do all the damage.Not only does the larva eat up the pile but they also chew at the knots at the back of the rug. Moths tend to lay their eggs in dark, undisturbed areas such as the rug corners or portions that lie under the furniture. Regular exposure to air and light and frequent rotation will keep moths at bay and prevent damage by their larva. Spraying the rug once or twice a year with a moth spray will double the protection against these rug pests.
Tip #3 – Invest in a quality rug pad
A rug pad can do more than just keep your rug from slipping on a wooden floor, it also cushions and protects the rug. It helps to keep the rug looking new much longer by protecting it from being crushed into the floor when being stepped on. The pad helps absorb the weight instead of the rug’s fibers.
Good quality padding can essentially double the life of an oriental rug. This is because the padding prevents moving and wrinkling when anyone walks over the rug, thus offering it some amount of buffering against heavy traffic. Padding made of fiber or hair with a rubberized surface is the most effective for this purpose.Synthetic pads are cheaper but synthesize into an abrasive kind of powder after some time, doing more harm than good.
Tip #4 – Do All Repairs in A Timely Manner
If your rug is placed on the floor, wear and tear is inevitable but there are steps you can take to curtail the damage and prevent it from getting worse to the point where it cannot be repaired. Holes in a rug will only expand and keep getting progressively worse if you do not do anything about them. Repairs are best done when the cuts and tears are small and can be contained. If you notice a hole on your rug, no matter how small it is, get it repaired as soon as possible.
Tip #5– Regular Cleaning Helps Prevent Scratches, Fading And A Host Of Other Issues
Regular cleaning by sweeping, beating and vacuuming will help keep your oriental rug looking clean and bright.
To keep your rug clean sweep with a soft bristled broom at least once a week to dislodge the debris from the bottom. After sweeping, run the vacuum over the rug to remove the loosened debris. Beating the rug is also a very effective method of cleaning a rug. This is easy to do single handedly for smaller rugs but you will need help to lift and beat a larger sized rug.
Getting to enjoy the beauty of your rug for so much longer is reward enough and is worth all the time and trouble that goes into looking after it! When you’re ready to start shopping and exploring oriental rugs, be sure to spend some time at J & J Oriental Rugs in Alexandria, VA! Remember, the right way to dress your floor is just a call away: 703-548-0000.