06/10/2020

Keeping Your Area and Oriental Rugs Looking Like New

Our last few months of home confinement has caused me to conquer lots of projects around the house like closet cleaning, purging, and organization, which has been quite liberating. But, while I can’t believe that I could find a downside to getting rid of stuff, there has been one: all the extra activity has caused my rugs to receive more than their fair share of foot traffic.

When rugs receive a high amount of foot traffic, they show excessive wear on along that path, and it would make logical sense given that feet are constantly crushing those fibers. While the weight of a person’s body does cause some of the problem, dirt is actually the true culprit of the unsightly look. Dirt contains sharp particles, and whenever pressure is applied, those particles grind into the fibers causing them to tear and create the wear that’s visible.

Here Are Five Easy Things You Can Do to Reduce and Eliminate Excessive Wear.

1. Leave shoes at the door. We have this rule in our house, and my entire family follows it including my parents, in-laws, and close friends. I’ve even trained Gray’s friends to leave their shoes at the back door, and I’ve also been known to ask service guys to remove their shoes. The easiest way to keep dirt from getting on your rugs is to keep it outside.
2. Address spills immediately. The longer you wait to address a spill, the more difficult it becomes to remove. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no rug is completely stain proof.
3. Vacuum regularly. Frequent vacuuming is the only way to keep dirt from becoming embedded in your rugs. Focus your vacuuming in high traffic areas, and don’t just vacuum in one direction. Vacuum the rug in one direction, then make a quarter turn and vacuum it again. Avoid vacuuming delicate fringe.
4. Rotate rugs. Rotate your rugs at least once each year to change the amount of traffic and sunlight the rug receives to one area.
5. Have regular professional cleaning. Professionally deep clean your rugs every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime and more often if you have pets.

To learn more about caring for your Area or Oriental Rugs, visit the cleaning tips section of our website, and feel free to call Greg, our very own rug care expert, at 336-804-0045 if you have specific questions or problems.