Area rugs can add so much personality to your favorite space. A beautiful red carpet can provide a splash of color in a dimly-lit room. That gorgeous patterned rug with green accents can give a pop of texture to your beloved neutral palette. The possibilities that area rugs bring to your home are endless.
With that said, they are features that require a certain level of upkeep to stay gorgeous and vibrant. Fortunately, maintaining your area rugs can be a relatively simple process with these tips and tricks.
Rotate Your Rugs Regularly
Regularly rotating your area rugs is an excellent place to start if you’re looking for straightforward maintenance strategies. This process entails switching the orientation of your rugs every six months to a year. Doing so prevents uneven wear and tear.
Plus, it allows you to shake your rugs out, eliminating any dust, dirt, and other debris that might be dirtying your piece. If you have a particularly plushy carpet, it’s wise to take this opportunity to fluff it. This way, your rug stays clean, evenly worn, and maintains the appearance of a newer piece.
Invest in Professional Cleanings
Investing in professional cleanings is probably one of the best ways to ensure that all your favorite area rugs remain beautiful, crisp, and fully intact. Many tend to believe that professional area rug cleanings are unnecessary. But this isn’t the case.
Professional cleanings are the most thorough and effective maintenance you can give your area rugs. This is because the process typically includes deep steam cleaning with unique products and drying. Moreover, if your piece has special requirements, professional cleaners have the expertise to address those, too.
So don’t toss your area rug in the washer and think you can get the same results. Instead, invest in professional cleanings annually. Trust us; when you see the stunning results, you’ll be glad you did it.
Vacuum and Spot Clean
There is no discussion of proper area rug maintenance without mentioning the need to regularly vacuum and spot clean. After all, they’re two of the best ways to prevent dirt and debris from embedding into your area rugs. Most experts suggest vacuuming once or twice weekly.
As for spot cleanings, the best practice is to take care of any spots right as they occur. Perhaps you spill some wine on your favorite rug during a cocktail party. If so, don’t wait until the wine has an opportunity to sink into the fabric. Instead, blot it out immediately using the proper cleaning supplies.
Making these things a regular part of how you care for your area rugs will ensure they stay clean and pristine for as long as possible.