How to care for an Area Rug

An area rug is an investment in your home and like all investments, you want to know how to care for and maintain it. So throughout the buying process or after the purchase of a rug, many people research ways to both care for and clean a rug. Below are some common rug care topics.

One of the most asked questions is how often an area rug should be professionally cleaned. The answer is every three years at a minimium, but could be more often if you have your area rug placed in a high traffic area. You can hire professionals such as Stanley Steamer who will charge approximately $100/ per room. You can also go the route of renting your own steam cleaner, however you should be careful not to use too much detergent or water.

Vacuuming: You should vacuum your rug as often as possible, about once a week, as this is the rugs primary defense againse dirt. Be sure to vacuum across both directions of the pile, but avoid vacuuming the fringe of the rug because it could damage it.

Spot Removal: For new stains you want to blot, not rub, the stain with a clean towel or cloth. Apply a small amount of water to the rug before you start blotting. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for how to clean your rug as other solvents could harm your rug depending on the materials used to make it.

To help keep your area rug looking new, rotate your rug 180 degrees every few months, or every year, depending on traffic patterns. Occasionally air your rug out by taking it outside and laying it flat of the ground. Another tip to keep your area rug looking new is to keep it from direct exposure to the sun. Rug fibers can fade and can cause the colors in the rug to appear uneven if part of the rug is in the sun and the other half is not. So again, in this case you would want to rotate the area rug.