Floor rugs have a big impact on home interiors adding style and warmth, however, as they’re made from various materials with fibres that easily catch dirt and debris, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to keep your rug fresh.
Shoes can be one of the main culprits for causing your rug to get dirty. People bring in things on the bottom of their shoes which then gets tracked onto your rugs, leaving behind dirt and debris that can end up staining if not cleaned immediately. Embrace a no-shoes policy in your home to keep your floors looking beautiful.
While buying a high-quality rug will often provide better resistance to stains, you should still properly look after your rugs to help them maintain their lustre year after year.
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Regular vacuuming is essential
The impact of vacuuming is not to be underestimated, it can make a big difference in helping your rug look beautiful for years to come. Vacuuming regularly to remove debris and bacteria will improve the health and overall appearance of your rug.
You should aim to vacuum your rugs weekly, or more often if you have pets, to keep your rug in good condition. This will help prevent debris from getting pushed deeper into the fibres and potentially becoming a more difficult problem to deal with. Vacuum across the width of the rug to get a deeper clean.
Check care instructions
When cleaning your rug, you always need to check the care instructions first, as this can differ depending on the materials and fibres. Some rugs may require specific cleaning to keep them in top condition.
Avoid using harsh chemicals that may damage the rug. Spot testing before using cleaning products is a good way to ensure the product is safe to use on your rug.
Blot any liquid spills straight away to remove excess liquid, and after cleaning your rug, it’s important to properly dry it out before laying it back down to prevent any dampness remaining, which could damage the fibres.
Let your rug breatghe
Fresh air makes any home feel better, and it can be good for your rugs as well.
A floor rug can start to get dusty after sitting inside for a long period of time. Shake your rugs out at least once or twice a year to remove surface dust and debris and give them an opportunity to air out.
Try baking soda
Spills happen in any home, and food and liquids can get caught in rug fibres. Baking soda is highly effective at absorbing liquid spills, and luckily most people have this product readily available in the cupboard.
If you spill something on your rug, you want to clean it as soon as possible to prevent a stain from setting. Sprinkle some baking soda over your rug and leave it to sit for a few hours. Once you’ve left it on for an appropriate amount of time, vacuum it up to remove the powder. Your rug should be good as new.
Get a professional rug cleaner
While regular cleaning will keep your rugs looking beautiful, to further ensure their longevity, it can also help to get them professionally cleaned at least once a year.
Hard to remove stains can become embedded in fibres, and may require a deep clean to thoroughly remove them. In these situations it is often best to get the help of a professional rug cleaner who has experience successfully removing marks or stains from various rug materials.
With the right cleaning and care, your rugs can last for many years to come, ensuring your home is a welcoming place to be.