Last Updated on March 24, 2024 by Jawad Ali
Ask any home interior design expert about the value rugs add to a living space, and you will find that most agree that rugs complete a room. Of course, there are many price points when purchasing a rug, but you can still find many that are affordable and durable. When it comes to keeping your rugs looking fresh and new, there are a few expert tips you can try that do the trick.
It’s Essential Home Decor
Area rugs can enhance the beauty of any room with warmth, color, and pattern, according to interior design professional Brianne Bishop. She likens rugs to art on the floor as they can infuse a space with great visual interest.
Every individual has unique taste in decor, so don’t be afraid to choose rugs that you fancy for tying your rooms together.
Take Off Your Shoes
To keep your gorgeous rugs looking new and clean, home interior experts recommend establishing a “no-shoe policy.” In other words, everyone who enters your home, including guests, is to take off their shoes.
It sounds strict, perhaps, but if you truly want to protect your rugs from the outside dirt and particles that often cling to footwear, then, a no-shoe policy isn’t a bad thing to go by.
Put Down Rug Pads
Some folks who purchase area rugs ignore the idea of also buying rug pads to place underneath, but these pads can add extra cushioning, keep the carpet in place and avoid slipping.
Another tip home designers recommend is the purchase of an office chair mat for carpet. This clear, glass pad not only adds a professional look to your desk or office area but allows your chair to glide across the coated surface and protect the quality, texture, and appearance of your rug.
Attack Stains Quickly
Accidents happen to everyone, and sometimes, a spill can occur on top of your favorite rug. Whatever you do, address the spill immediately to avoid a nasty stain that could set into the rug fibers permanently.
Also, blot, don’t rub to prevent the particles from spreading further into the carpet.
Here’s a homemade recipe for removing light rug stains: Make a mixture of 2 tablespoons of salt dissolved in a 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Let the solution dry, then, vacuum.
There are all kinds of natural D.I.Y solutions for attacking carpet stains you can find online, but be careful, and check the manufacturer’s guidelines before selecting a stain remover.
Get Out The ‘Hoover’
Vacuuming may not be your favorite household chore, but home decor pros say that your rugs will benefit from a weekly vacuuming routine, which will allow them to maintain their cleanliness and unique texture and color.
By running your vacuum, you are extending the life of your carpet and also, removing most of the dirt and grime that accumulates on rugs of all sizes and types.
Hoover experts also suggest using a vacuum with a brush roll to help lift dirt and particles out of the carpet fibers that would otherwise degrade the fibers sooner.
Beat Your Rug Outside
It may sound a bit weird, but folks in Scandanavia keep their carpets looking fresh, clean, and new by beating them. Word has it that they hang their rugs outside on a line and whack away at their carpets with a unique tool known as a “rug beater.” This manual device is effective at releasing dirt and maintaining carpet fibers.
You could try the same idea at home and use a tennis racket to beat your rugs. Or you could buy an old-fashioned rug beater online made of rattan that is eco-friendly and gets rid of dust and dirt. A lot of people swear by this vintage method of beating their rugs outside to the next immaculate level. Not only that, it provides a good arm workout.
Your rugs are an essential feature of your home decor, and you want them to last for several years if possible. Daily living, foot traffic, accidental spills, and other things will happen from time to time, but as long as you’re prepared, you can maintain brand-new-looking carpets for a long time.