If you are looking to spruce up a room in your home or protect your flooring in a high traffic area, you might be considering shopping for a new area rug. A new rug can be a pricey purchase, so you’ll want to make sure that you make the right decision. But how?
Some things to keep in mind when buying a new rug (aside from price) are: how long you want to keep it, what the purpose of the rug is, and how easy it is to clean. Below we will go over some different types of rugs and how you can increase the lifespan of each to help keep your new rug looking brand new for years to come.
Depending on what your rug is made of, it will require different maintenance and care. Let’s look at some common types of rugs:
- Wool: Natural wool rugs are often handmade, which give them a feeling of luxury but also a higher price tag. That being said, most wool rugs have exquisite quality and can last for decades – even in high traffic spaces such as foyers, bedrooms, and living rooms. Since wool naturally sheds, it requires frequent vacuuming in the first few months.
- Cotton: Cotton is a great budget friendly alternative to wool as it provides a similar look at a lower price. Cotton will not repel stains as well as wool, so don’t expect your cotton rug to last forever.
- Silk: If you are looking for a more delicate and soft rug, silk could be a good choice. While the shine is unmatched by other fibres, silk rugs are often thinner and are tough to clean, so avoid using them in high traffic areas.
- Fur/Hide: Leather, fur, or hide rugs can add a chic feel to any room. These types of rugs are easy to clean, and may only need some light ironing to keep them flat. One thing to remember is if you opt for faux fur instead, the rug may shed more and won’t be as easy to clean as the real deal!
- Jute/Bamboo: If your room is lacking texture, a jute or bamboo rug can add a natural and casual feel to the room. These natural material rugs are great value, and can also be layered underneath smaller rugs. Note that natural fibres can be prone to showing watermarks, so always be careful where you place natural rugs.
- Synthetic: Synthetic rugs made of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, or viscose are a popular choice for their price point – allowing you to switch out your rug as often as you’d like. Synthetic rugs are often thinner and fade resistant, and can be as soft as a natural alternative. But if you are looking for a more eco-friendly alternative, these rugs may not be your top choice.
Now that you’ve decided on the type of rug you want, here’s some tips on how to protect it from damage and help it last longer:
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Clean your rug
The number one way to increase the lifespan of your area rug is to stop dirt and grime from building up on it in large amounts. The best way to do this is through regular vacuuming, and at least an annual deep cleaning. While some rugs can be dry cleaned or cleaned in the washing machine, others should be steam cleaned or tackled with a rental carpet cleaner. Always be sure to read your rug’s care tags to find out the best way to clean it – and keep the tag intact in case you need to refer to it later.
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Rotate your rug
If you want your rug to wear evenly, you should rotate your rug every one to two years. This will help reduce the risk of your rug developing ‘pathways’ where it is most often walked across.
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Use rug padding
Purchasing a pad for under your rug is a great way to make your rug seem thicker as well as help it last longer. Not only will this increase comfort and protect your flooring, but many types of padding act as a non-slip surface which stops your rug from moving around.
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Use outdoor rugs
Outdoor rugs such as welcome mats are a great way to reduce dirt traffic within your home and on your indoor rugs. The less dirt that reaches your indoor rugs, the less maintenance you will have to do to increase their lifespan.
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Store area rugs properly
If you like to swap out your rugs each season, make sure you store your area rugs correctly. This starts with hanging your rug up for several hours to prevent moisture buildup (especially if your rug has been exposed to any moisture or spills). Some higher quality rugs should be professionally cleaned and wrapped before being stored in a climate controlled room in order to prevent mildew.
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Get help from a professional carpet cleaner
Life gets busy, and you may not have the time or tools to properly care for your area rugs. Despite your best efforts, your rug may lose years from it’s life if not maintained properly. If you’d like to avoid having to pay to replace your carpet more often, invest in a professional carpet cleaning instead. Your carpet cleaning team will have the knowledge and skills to deep clean your carpet properly based on the type of carpet, and investing in this regular maintenance can keep your area rug looking great for years to come.
We hope that you enjoyed this tips on how to get the most out of your area rug.
