Posted on September 10, 2015 by PersianRugCleaner

We’re not serious, of course: who would want to destroy a beautiful Persian or Oriental rug?

But some of us don’t know the right way to care for these lovely textile works of art and, even though these rugs are incredibly sturdy and can withstand a lot of “abuse,” we thought we’d talk to you about the things that could ruin your rug.

1. Placing your rug in full sun. While the sun will make your rug’s colors “pop,” the sun will damage the rug over time, fading those beautiful colors. So aim to keep your rug out of the full sun. If doing so is unavoidable, at the least rotate it so that no part of it will fade more than another. You also should remove it from the full-sun spot in the summer – the sun’s rays are just too intense. Instead, place the rug in full sun only during the winter months, when the sun’s rays are weaker.
2. Placing the rug in high-traffic areas. This can destroy it over time because people walking on it again and again over the years will wear it down. In addition, if you use a rug without proper padding, walking the same path can wear out your rug faster than normal. Rotate the rug yearly so that both sides wear evenly. You can still use your rug but consider moving it to a less traffic area as long as you inspect it monthly for moth activity (sweep rugs to fight off moths).
3. Storing the rug standing up and wrapped in plastic wrap. Never do this. Instead, always store your rugs lying down, off the ground, and never bent. Also, never stand the rug on its end to store it. You also should never store the rug in plastic wrap as it can retain moisture, possibly causing mold and mildew to appear on your rug. Make sure the room in which it’s being stored is climate-controlled, as a damp room can encourage mold/mildew and a too-dry room can mean moths may attack it.
4. Ignoring the rug and never cleaning or vacuuming it. Many people think their Persian/Oriental rug is too delicate to vacuum. It’s definitely not! Instead, you should vacuum the rug at least monthly, but don’t use a vacuum with a beater brush; always use the machine’s suction only. You also can brush the rug with a broom to get dirt and dust out.
5. Never having it washed. Your rug should be professionally washed regularly. Yearly if it receives a lot of use; every three to five years if it’s not walked on a lot.
6. Just taking it to the driveway and hosing it down. Trying to wash a rug at home is very hard because a wet rug becomes very heavy and may rip if the water is not removed before it is flipped or even moved to wash both front and back.  Also using the correct non-chemical, gentle solution to help remove the two pounds of micro dust collected in the pile of the rug takes know-how.  Here at Persian Rug Cleaner we never hang rugs to dry, as this helps to keep the shape of your rug and helps prevent color run. We suggest laying your rug flat in your clean driveway and pushing out as much water as you can from the front and back.

To recap, here are some things you should do to care properly for your rug:

• Keep it out of direct sunlight.
• If placed in a high-traffic area, proper padding is a must to help keep your rug from wearing out quickly. Rotate it regularly and remove it to another area periodically.
• Store it by rolling it with its pile facing you as you work in a breathable cotton fabric. Place it in a well-ventilated, non-humid room, make sure the rug is off the floor, and never bend it.
• Vacuum it only with the machine’s suction; never use a beater brush.
• Have it professionally cleaned regularly, on a schedule of every three to five years.

If looking for a professional and reliable professional cleaner for your fine handmade rug, Persian Rug Cleaner of Dallas. Give us a call at 972-447-9600.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net