Decorative Area Rug Care
Area rugs have been around for millennia,
almost from the dawn of civilization, when
people first decided to try to cover their
hard surface floors with something a bit
softer and warmer. As rug craftsmen became
more adept at weaving beautiful designs and
technology allowed rugs to become more
durable, rugs began to increase in value
until sometimes they became the most
valuable thing a family owned. |
| With the advent and
widespread use of wall-to-wall carpeting,
area rugs went through a period of decline
in the decorating world. However, they've
made a strong comeback in recent years as
decorators rediscover how quickly an area
rug can revitalize and energize a room, as
well as providing adding color, warmth, and
sound absorption. |
 |
How to Care for Decorative Area Rugs
Well-made area rugs are meant to last for
many years, and can even be handed down to
your heirs if properly cared for. That means
guarding against a rug's greatest enemies,
mildew, dirt, moths, carpet beetles, and of
course, general wear-and-tear of daily use.
Here are a few tips on keep your area rug
looking great and in good shape.
One of the most important things to do to
preserve the life of your area rug is to
rotate it from time to time. That way, one
section of the rug won't receive more
traffic than others for long periods, and
your carpet will wear evenly. The same is
true of exposure to sunlight. If there are
bright colors in your rug, you'll want to
have all areas exposed to sunlight as evenly
as possible, since a certain amount of
fading is inevitable.
If something gets spilled on your rug,
immediately take steps to remove the
moisture, because moisture promotes mildew,
which is one of the most harmful enemies of
area rugs. Using a paper towel, begin at the
outside edge of the spill and work inward,
to minimize spreading of the stain. If the
stain is severe and your area rug is of
heirloom quality, take the rug to a
professional cleaner as soon as possible.
A relatively inexpensive way to help
minimize wear while adding some slip
protection to your area rug is an underlay
pad. They're available at most improvement
centers and hardware stores, and can add
years to the life your rug by providing a
cushion between foot traffic and the floor.
They'll also help the rug stay in place,
reducing the chance of injury by slipping.
If for some reason you decide to store your
area rug for an extended period (for
instance, if you bought your rug as an
investment, which isn't uncommon), first
take it to a professional cleaner and have
it thoroughly cleaned and protected against
damage from moths. Then wrap the rug in a
breathable material, and not in plastic
which will encourage moisture, which in turn
will encourage the growth of mildew.
A well-crafted, beautiful area rug can not
only make a dramatic statement in a room,
but it can also be a sound investment, and
if you give it the proper care, it can be
passed from generation to generation.
Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher |
Jeanette
Joy Fisher