If you are wondering how to care for your oriental rug, you are at the right place.
An Oriental rug, like every kind of decorative item, needs caring as they are a precious investment.
An Oriental rug will provide a level of sophistication to your home and make it look seamless and perfect.
These intricate art pieces have strict maintenance requirements to fit their high aesthetic bar.
Whether a treasured family heirloom or a new investment, an oriental rug can last for many years if it’s properly cared for. With these tips, you can learn how to take care of your oriental rug so that its rich colors and exciting patterns last for years.
The following are 10 suggestions for keeping your oriental rug in good condition.
1. Keep out of direct sunlight
When caring for an oriental rug, it’s important to remember that exposure to direct sunlight can significantly fade the rug’s dyes over time.
You should keep the rug out of direct sunlight as much as possible to extend its life span.
Note:
If this isn’t possible, you should rotate your rug periodically to help it fade more evenly.
2. Turn it around to balance out the fading and wear
Turning your rug twice a year can help protect it from wear and tear uniform and keep the color from fading in one spot due to prolonged exposure to the sun.
Rotating your rug every few months is recommended, especially if it is placed in a high-traffic area.
3. Air it out to stop moisture from building up
Wool rugs can shrink if they are exposed to humidity for an extended period, and mold and mildew can quickly spread through them.
Whenever you notice the dampness take your oriental rug outside to dry. It often takes a few hours to minimize moisture and eliminate residual scents in the open air.
4. Regular vacuuming extends the life of oriental rugs
Your oriental rug’s fibers can become compacted by foot traffic if you don’t regularly and thoroughly vacuum it. Both visible dirt and ground-in particles can harm the rug fibers.
To begin, invert the rug and run the vacuum over the rug’s backing several times. Any embedded dirt can be worked loose by agitating the surface with the beater bar (now down but set high).
When vacuuming an oriental rug’s front, ensure the beater bar is up or on high since low-set beater bars damage piles. Slowly vacuum in the direction of the fibers twice to avoid sucking up fringes, and vacuum the edges with the upholstery attachment.
5. To remove mat fringes, turn the rug over
The ends of oriental rugs are notorious for getting tangled up. So, avoid using a comb on the fringe to untangle it, as doing so can weaken the fringe’s natural fibers. Instead, you can flip the rug over so that the fringe can straighten out on its own.
To further assist the process of straightening out the fringe, you can also gently shake the rug.
6. Immediate spill cleanup reduces damage
If you clean up spills on your rug as soon as possible, you can avoid permanent stains, but if you wait, the damage may be difficult to fix.
White paper towels or cloths are the best options to blot up liquid stains as soon as they are seen.
Do not use colored towels, as the dye may contaminate the wet rug fibers. Use a round-tipped spoon rather than a knife if you need to scoop up extra liquids or food.
Warning!
Never rub the spillage in, as this can work the stain deeper into the rug and damage the fibers; instead, blot up the liquid.
7. Use Under-Rug Padding
Your oriental rug’s shape, durability, and cleanliness will all benefit from padding placed beneath it. In addition, it prevents the rug from slipping across the hardwood floor.
8. Adjust furniture placement
In most cases, you shouldn’t put a heavy piece of furniture on top of a rug. If you move your furniture about every few months, you can keep the rug from getting worn down or imprinted in one spot.
If you want to further save the rug’s fibers, put casters under the furniture’s pointy feet.
9. Do careful rug rollout
When storing an oriental rug, it is best to roll it tightly from the side opposing the direction of the pile. Wrap it in airtight polythene and keep it in a dry area after securing it with strong twine or rope and add some mothballs to keep it safe.
10. Professional washing
Avoid harsh cleaning products if you want to keep your rug pristine. A better natural alternative is to use warm water and vinegar (or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda for stubborn stains). Once blotting has absorbed excess water, you can speed drying by airing your rug outside or using a fan.
Conclusion
Oriental rugs are expensive; thus, proper care is essential as they increase home décor and are a big investment.
We want our purchases to be beautiful and durable then; if you want your rugs to last, you must maintain them to preserve rug colors and patterns.
Remember that there are various rug types on the market, each of which has unique cleaning requirements.
What other methods do you use to take care of your oriental rug?