Preserving the Beauty of Your Oriental Rug

Oriental rugs are a favorite flooring accessory these days.  It isn’t hard to see why.  They keep feet warmer and more comfortable than the wood, tile, or laminate floors that they often cover.  They also provide protection for underlying surfaces  But the greatest asset of an Oriental rug is the beauty and character it adds to a room.  When you’ve found just the right rug for your living space, you will want to preserve it and keep it for years to come. Below are some potential dangers to watch out for and avoid in order to protect your investment.

Keep It Dry

Both carpets and rugs are susceptible to extensive damage when saturated with water.  That is the reason that flood damage needs to be taken care of so quickly.   On a smaller scale, even a potted plant placed on a rug can slowly leak water and ruin your rug.  Prolonged exposure to water can cause color discoloration and even mold growth.

Minimize Pet Damage

Cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits.  While these furry friends offer you their unconditional love and affection, they are not so kind to your rugs.  Pets inadvertently deposit fur, biological substances, and tracked-in dirt all over your rugs.   This needs to be attended to on a regular basis (with weekly vacuuming and regular professional cleaning) to keep your rugs from staining.  In addition, sharp claws and gnawing teeth can devastate the fibers of your rugs in relatively little time.  Training your pets to leave rugs alone is ideal…though not always practical.

Banish Pests

In contrast to pets, pests have no redeeming value.  Yet they sometimes plague our homes.  Moths and carpet beetles are two common pests that can destroy rugs.  In both cases, it is their larvae which do most of the harm.  They will literally eat your rugs from the inside out!  These pests thrive in rugs found in dark, undisturbed areas.  The best defense against these bothersome insects is to vacuum weekly and also vacuum the underside or back of the rug as well as the pad several times a year.

Use Care When Vacuuming

We’ve already mentioned in this post that regular vacuuming is good for rugs.  However, improper vacuuming could cause damage.  You should be careful not to use a power brush when you vacuum.  This can be rough on the fibers of Oriental rugs.  You should also be careful not to vacuum the fringes of your rug with a rotating brush.  They can easily become caught in the brush, resulting in worn and frayed fringes.

Unfortunately, another activity that presents the potential for damage of rugs is the cleaning process.  Whether done by the rug’s owner or by a less competent rug cleaning company, improper cleaning can severely damage an area or Oriental rug.  The chemicals and the equipment used for cleaning rugs are powerful and must be handled by technicians who understand the various fibers used and how to most effectively clean them.  Langenwalter Carpet Cleaning has the expertise, equipment, and capable employees to ensure that your rugs are thoroughly cleaned without sustaining any damage.  Drop your rugs off at our office or call us at 317-876-9944 to arrange a pick-up.