How to Take Care of Rugs So They Last Longer

Rugs are good insulators from the cold and protect your floor from wear and tear. But do you know how to take care of your rugs so they last longer? Let's take a look!
How to Take Care of Rugs So They Last Longer

Last update: 31 August, 2020

Rugs can add something new to a room since they achieve a balance in decoration and coordinate well with the of floor, furniture, and wall coverings. Do you know how to take care of a rug?

Dust, moths, and stains are the main enemies of rugs. To prevent damaging the rug, just follow some maintenance tips. Take note!

Take care of a rug so they last longer

Vacuuming dust to care for rugs

Take care of a rug so it last much longer.

To keep your rugs in good condition, the first thing to do is to prevent dust from accumulating on the fabric. This preventive measure is especially important for wool rugs.

As this is a porous fabric, it attracts mites so we recommend vacuuming regularly. If your rug is somewhere where people don’t go much, vacuuming once a week will be enough.

If, on the other hand, it’s an area such as the living room, it’s best to vacuum it daily. Two or three times a year, we also recommend that you turn the rug over and vacuum the other side.

Take care of your rug – protection against moths

Moths can cause serious damage to rugs. The larvae, which feed on textiles, look for dark areas to lay their eggs.

As a result, we recommend that you regularly check the back of the rug and shake it at least twice a month to prevent these annoying insects from accumulating.

Also, it’s best to spray rugs with an anti-moth spray, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Another option to prevent moths is to put a small bag of mothballs on the back of the rug.

You can make this at home with muslin fabric and a cord to tie up the bag and place it on the back of the rug. You should refill this bag twice a year.

Unsightly stains

It's best to take care of a rug well so it lasts longer.

You should deal with a stain immediately to prevent it from spreading. If the substance that caused the stain is solid, it’s best to remove anything you can with a spoon or a spatula.

Then, you should use detergent or a stain remover. First, pour the liquid on a white cotton cloth, a towel, or a sponge so it doesn’t fade the rug when you use it.

Next, you need to wait for the amount of time indicated by the product for it to act. Finally, you should blot the stain gently with a clean cloth.

However, if the stain is liquid, you can remove excess by absorbing it with a cotton ball, a sponge, or a piece of cloth. You should do this immediately to prevent the liquid from drying and causing problems with the fabric.

To soak up any excess liquid, it’s best to work from the edges toward the center of the stain. That way, you’ll avoid spreading it. If any marks remain, it’s best not to use conventional stain removers as they can damage the carpet.

Tips to take care of a rug

A castle rug in a child's room.

Safe storage

If you’re going to store a rug for a long time, the best way is to roll it into a cylindrical shape. You should store it with some moth-proofing products and wrap it in brown paper.

You should avoid using plastic so mold doesn’t form. Also, it’s very important that the storage place is cool and well-ventilated.

Ideal location

When putting down a rug, it’s best not to expose it directly to sunlight as this can cause the fabric to fade more easily.

In addition, if you change its position every six months, you can help extend the life of a rug. In fact, this is a very simple trick that will help you keep it in good condition for longer.

Be careful with furniture

It’s important to avoid putting easily movable furniture on a rug to avoid continuous friction that can wear down the fabric.

We also recommend that you put some protective material on the legs of chairs, tables, and sofas, such as adhesive felt. This helps further protect your rugs.

We suggest that you follow these simple tips to keep your rugs in top condition.