11 Carpet Hacks to Keep Your Area Rugs Like New
Area rugs warm up the space and add a homely feeling to the room they are placed. Additionally, they are perfect at complementing the overall decoration and reflecting the style you wish in your home. Moreover, the cozy atmosphere that rugs create helps you have a welcoming home. Accordingly, carpets are essential for a well-decorated home.
You can find the perfect rug for each room by considering the features that a carpet should have. Although picking the ideal rug requires time and effort, keeping that rug in its best form necessitates constant care and dedication. Assume you have those carpets you adore and love using for years to come. In that case, you should know some tricks that will help you keep your area rugs like new.
Today, we will be talking about maintaining and cleaning hacks for rugs so that you can enjoy the beautiful presence of your rugs forever. Keep reading to learn these carpet hacks that will save you from the rug shopping process all over again.
Maintaining and Cleaning Hacks for Rugs
There are some basic rules you can follow to keep your rugs well-maintained and clean all the time. Here are 11 rug hacks that will let you enjoy the cozy beauty of your carpets:
Rotate Your Rug to Heal High-Traffic Patterns
Some areas of rugs are exposed to more traffic, causing extra stress on your carpets. Sometimes, heavy furniture can be the reason for these signs of wear and tear. This is why you should rotate your carpet twice a year. This way, you can balance the traces of wear across your area rug.
Protect Your Rugs from Sun Fading
Even if you have a rug that has the most vibrant colors, direct sunlight will find a way to cause fading unless you protect your carpet. You should think carefully before placing your rug to prevent it from being exposed to direct sunlight. If there is no way to put your rug away from the UV lights, roll up your rugs if you are about to leave your house for weeks or months. Rotating your rug will also help you create an even look on the carpet if the fading is inevitable.
Use Baking Soda to Prevent Odors
Baking soda makes magic with some kind of odors, like pets, smoke, and food. It is well known that baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can absorb odor. You can simply sprinkle baking soda directly on your carpet and wait for a couple of hours. Once you vacuum your carpet after some hours, you will see that the odor will be gone.
Vacuum Large Area Rugs
Vacuuming is essential for large area rugs. You should find a way to create some time for vacuuming your carpets to clear them from dirt. If your rug is reversible, do not forget the vacuum the other side, too.
Shake Small Area Rugs Instead of Vacuuming
While it is a better option to vacuum larger area rugs, it is recommended to vacuum small carpets less frequently. Instead, you can take these small rugs and shake them. However, some areas may have regulations about the subject, so you should check the local codes first.
Clean Spills Immediately
When you spill some liquids over your carpet, you should prevent it from penetrating the yarn because it can cause permanent stains over the surface. First, soak the spill up with a clean and dry cloth, and then clean the area with a bar of soap, cotton cloth, and hot water. Try not to rub while cleaning to prevent the rug’s surface damage. Once you complete the cleaning, wait for some hours to dry before placing your rug on the floor again.
Prefer Short Pile Rugs If You Are a Pet Owner
If you are a pet owner, you should be extra careful with your carpet type. Shag or high pile rugs are not suitable for homes with pets because pet hair and dirt can get stuck in, and they may not be removed by regular vacuuming. Instead, prefer short pile rugs that are easy to clean and less likely to be chosen as a playground for your pet.
Try Washable Rugs
If you want to have easy-to-clean rugs, know that there are many machine-washable rugs out there. These rugs are both durable and easy to clean, making your desire to keep your carpets like new a lot easier. You can quickly find a machine-washable rug that is suitable for your budget and taste.
Use Ice Cubes to Remove Furniture Marks over the Rug’s Surface
Heavy furniture can leave indentations in your rug and stay there for weeks. However, there is a nice trick to solve this problem:
- Leave an ice cube on the indentation and wait till the ice-out.
- Fluff up the fibers and leave them to air dry.
- Vacuum your carpet, and you will see that there remain no furniture marks on your area rug.
Use Stiff Brush to Pull Trapped Hair
Sometimes, hair may not be cleaned with vacuuming. Especially if you are a pet owner, you may feel frustrated because of hair stuck between the fibers of your rug. You can use a stiff brush regularly for compacted dust and stubborn hair. Just be careful not to use too much pressure on your carpet.
Know the Special Requirements of Your Rug’ Material
Some rug materials require extra care and attention, and if you do not act accordingly, you may leave the chance of preserving your rug in its best form. Hence, you should know what the material is and how it is to be cleaned and maintained. For instance, antique, hand-knotted, or oriental rugs may require professional cleaning once a year instead of regular vacuuming at home. On the other hand, most synthetic rugs are easy to clean and durable enough to be vacuumed regularly. Accordingly, you can preserve your carpets in their best form by learning their materials and unique requirements.
Throughout this blog post, we have shared some tips and methods that will help you keep your area rugs well-maintained. As Antep Rugs, we offer the most durable rugs that will ease your job for keeping your rugs like new. Do not forget to check our products to see your alternatives, among which you will find the ones that will perfectly complement your home decoration. Also, you can take a look at the following blog posts to learn more about area rugs:
The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Rugs Guide For Pet-Owners