Area rugs are standard pieces in many homes. If you’re like most people, you use these rugs to keep your home warm and well-decorated. But it’s challenging to maintain a good floor appearance with your torn, faded, or dirty area rugs.
When you purchase new rugs, you expect them to last for years. This means finding ways to maintain their qualities—the patterns and colors for a constantly fresh look.
If you’re unsure of how to make your area rugs last longer, here are six tips to help you do so:
Vacuum Clean Your Area Rugs Regularly
Vacuum cleaning is the most common way of keeping area rugs clean. The frequency of vacuum cleaning rugs depends mainly on their type, size, and where they’re placed in the home.
Ideally, you should vacuum clean your area rugs two times a week. When doing so, pay more attention to the mats you place in high-traffic areas.
During cleaning, place light rugs on a rail outside and hit them up to remove dirt particles. Turn large rugs over and vacuum clean the backside every three months to remove debris that may be stuck beneath.
Subject Your Rugs to a Professional Cleaning Service
Although your area rugs may look clean, a professional cleaning can often get a much better result. You’d be surprised by how much dirt a carpet cleaning machine would remove from your rugs.
Vacuuming your area rugs would remove loose dirt, but you’d need something more substantial to remove hardened dirt or tough stains. Hiring a professional cleaning service at least once every one to two years removes any spill and pet residue that may have accumulated in the rug fibers over time. It removes any dirt particles trapped beneath or between rug fibers.
A professional cleaning service will cost you money, but that’s a small price to pay to save you compared to buying new rugs a few months down the line.
Avoid Stepping On Rugs With Shoes On
A simple way to make your rugs last longer is to avoid stepping on them with your shoes on. Having everyone in your home remove shoes before stepping on indoor rugs keeps grit and dirt from accumulating and getting absorbed in the rug fibers.
An excellent way to keep shoes off area rugs in your home is to get soft-soled indoor slippers for family members and visitors. This way, you prevent rug abrasion with hard-soled shoes and prevent abrasive particles from getting to the rugs.
Shift Your Furniture Regularly
Another way is to shift your furniture every once in a while. Changing furniture positions is a great way to prevent wear and tear on the carpets you have in your home. Furniture rotation can keep them from fading due to continuous use or prolonged exposure to sunlight.
With time, the weight of furniture can cause sections of your carpet to flatten. Chair legs can form divots on area rugs. Moving furniture prevents this from happening, keeping your rug fibers fresh for an extended period.
Underlay Your Rugs
Underlying your area rugs is another way to extend their lifespan. It involves placing a cushion beneath the carpet to keep it in place and minimize movement. An underlay keeps your rug from bunching up or sliding, making it last longer. It keeps it upright and gives it a fresh look for longer.
With an underlay, your area rugs have extra cushioning that gives a soft underfoot feel. Although you’ll have to spend money getting an underlay, it protects your carpet from wear and tear. This aspect makes the investment worthwhile.
Store Your Area Rugs Well
You must store your area rugs well for them to last longer. When not in use, clean and dry your carpets well before you store them. A great way to store rugs is to roll and wrap each piece in brown paper. Keep the mats in a well-ventilated, dark room with a temperature of 40°F to 60°F. Consider placing the rugs in professional storage nearby if your home has little space.
Final Thoughts
Besides being soft, area rugs bring insulation value to a home. They add warmth and make living spaces cozier. But rugs aren’t items that you plan to replace every so often.
When you invest in one, you want it to serve you for a long time without showing wear and tear signs. Applying the six tips discussed above, you can make your area rugs last longer.
