As you use your rug, wear and tear is inevitable. You can greatly reduce this wear by rotating your rug on a periodic basis, especially in heavy traffic areas. Every year or two is recommended. Should your furniture leave indentations in the pile of your rug, you might try the following: Brush any indentation, or crushed pile, in the same direction as that of your rugs pile using a soft bristle brush. Using tap water, moisten the area with a soft spray and brush the pile again in the opposite direction. In time, it should stand up again. Ensure the area is completely dry before placing any objects on it.
Never store your rug in a damp, non-ventilated space. Dampness will cause mildew and dry rot in Oriental rugs. To store your rug, vacuum it well on both sides, then roll it up (never fold it) in the direction again the pile. Your rug has a smooth pile direction (light side) and a rough pile direction (dark side). You should roll the rug from the dark side into the light. This way, you will have no crushed pile ridges in the rug when you take it out of storage. Now, wrap the rug in a breathable cover (an old bed sheet works well); never use cellophane or plastic. Better still, contact us at Floor Medic and we will be happy to prepare your rugs for shipment or a long safe storage.
Moths will lay their eggs in the pile of a rug and hatchlings will eat away the beauty of your investment. Look for small golden colored flying moths about 1/3 inches in length. These moths, webbing clothes moths, are the most dangerous to your rugs and other woolens. They like dark, undisturbed areas, so behind sofas and large furniture are the most vulnerable areas to check. Please call our experts with any questions or to arrange for a moth proofing wash treatment.
Long term, direct sunlight will permanently fade the dyes used in your oriental rug. If direct sunlight cannot be helped, rotate your rug frequently or consider a window tint or shades to limit sunlight. Sunlight is most damaging when air humidity is low. In Texas and Alabama, because our humidity is relatively high, the most damage to rugs is in early spring and early winter. In Utah and Arizona, for instance, sunlight will be must more damaging to a rug than in Texas. Just remember to regularly rotate those rugs in heavy sunlight areas.
Sweeping your rug with a broom, in the direction of the pile, loosens ingrained dirt and residue. It also grooms your rug by removing shed wool fibers from the pile. Do not be alarmed- a wool, hand knotted rug will shed, especially when new. Vacuuming with a rotating brush vacuum will also groom your rugs surface. Just remember not to overdue it- a light, once over is plenty. Take extra care not to vacuum your rugs fringes and side bounding as they may get caught in the brush mechanism and get torn. Just use a hand brush to groom the fringes. The original fringe of a rug is the most vulnerable area for damage.
We at Floor Medic cannot say enough about the crucial need for proper padding under all your handmade rugs, whether they lay upon hard surfaces or on carpeting. First and foremost, proper padding will prevent the rug from slipping which can easily result in injury so it is just safer to take this precaution. Additionally, proper padding will add many years of life to your rug by eliminating those waves and wrinkles that in time will turn into tears and splits.
Over the years, we have used and evaluated dozens of different rug pad materials. That said, we can assure our customers we carry the best padding for their needs. The cost is nominal and your rugs will thank you.
