Oriental Rug Care
Previously we have talked about some of the basic steps of Oriental rug care. For review here are some of the basic simple steps in keeping your rug cared for that any rug buyer should be aware of.
- Sun damage: Rotate the rug from time to time so that the sun can't as easily bleach the colors on the rug.
- Wear damage: Again it is a good idea to rotate the rug so that it will wear evenly.
- Vacuuming: It is a good idea every few month to vacuum both side of the rug with a vacuum extension to get out the deep dirt that tends to wear out rugs.
- Use a Rug Pad: Using a rug pad will help decrease wear on the rug.
There are some other things that cause a rug to wear out over time such as water, pets, pests, and bugs.
One problem for a rug is water damage. This normally happens in homes from two sources. The most common source is water damage from potted plants. The other source is water damage from leaks or from the basement of your home. When a rug is wet, after a few days it is almost weak enough to be torn apart by hand. Whenever the rug is wet, make sure that you remove it from the water source as quickly as possible and let it dry completely. A wet rug is a ruined rug. This would also apply when you are cleaning the rug. During cleaning the rug can become wet. Don't use it until both sides are completely air dried. If potted plants are giving your rug problems, move them or find a way for the plants bases to retain more water.
Pets are also a major problem. When dogs are teething they love to chew on things like rugs. This is a major problem in keeping your rug cared for. One of the best solution is to get some moth flakes (which the dog will hate) and sprinkle some on the rug. Watch and make sure that the dog no longer is chewing on the rug. If the dog doesn't go near anymore, the job is done. If the dog still persists use some more flakes or remove the rug until it is done teething. Cats cause alot of rug problems as well. They enjoy using rugs to sharpen their claws. A solution for this is a conditioning technique. When you catch the cat scratching or coming near the rug squirt it with a little water from a water gun.
Moths cause alot of damage to rugs. In Oriental rug care it is very important to not store a rug unattended for months at a time. There is nothing wrong with storing a rug but make sure you still take care of it. Moths don't actually cause the damage to the rug. They will lay eggs that will hatch into rug (wool and other fibers) eating machines. To prevent this there are a few steps that you can take. Firstly it would be a good idea to put the rug in a more regularly used closet. Don't just store it away in a closet that is never used. Put it somewhere where moths won't be hanging around all the time. Also make sure that you move the rug from time to time. Take it out of the closet, roll it out, and vacuum both sides about once a month or at the latest every two months. Doing this should keep the rug in good condition when it is not used.
Basically, you can prevent problems or pay for them later. If a rug is ruined large sections can be rewoven for the right price (expensive). If you are spending top dollar for expensive oriental rugs (or other types of expensive rugs), you might want to take the time to preserve the rug in its best condition possible.
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