How To Prolong Your Area Rug’s Life

Published by AshleyK on June 17, 2021

Use a Rug Pad

Before you place the rug on the floor, make sure you have a rug pad. Rug pads protect the floor underneath and keep the rug in one place without it slipping around. Without a rug pad, any furniture you place on top of the area rug will crush the fibers against the hard surface below. Some rug pads are resistant to stains—including those that pets leave behind. Whether you pick a simple felt rug pad or a protective stain-resistant rug pad, either option will help the overall lifespan of your rug and protect your flooring.

Stop Stains Before They Happen

Stains can often cause you to replace rugs prematurely. Prevent stains before they happen by establishing a set of rules for drinks, food, and objects that people can’t take near the rug. Don’t place the rug somewhere that attracts messes and rug damage. Keep rugs away from entryways and high traffic areas.

Clean Spills Immediately After They Happen

It’s nearly impossible to prevent every stain or spill—sooner or later, your precious area rug may become dirty. Don’t panic—take action as soon as you find the stain. Blot as much of the stain as you can to prevent residue from setting in. Remember, don’t rub the spill into the fibers. You want each motion to be swift. Spray the spill with a solution of vinegar and water. Add a tablespoon of gentle dish soap to enhance the cleaning effect. After waiting for about ten minutes, blot the spot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.

Don’t wait until the spill settles into your rug’s fibers to clean it up; the longer you wait, the more likely it is that a stain will set in.

Vacuum Your Rug Weekly

If you already have a list of chores to complete each week, add vacuuming your rug to the agenda. Vacuuming the area rug will suck the dirt, dust, and hair from the surface and fibers. Sticking to a regular vacuuming routine will prevent any debris from causing allergy flare-ups and also maintain the beautiful appearance of your rug. Strong vacuums may damage the fibers—if you think your vacuum could harm your elegant rug, try using an attachment for a softer suction.

Rotate Your Area Rugs

You may start to notice that certain rugs see more damage than others. This isn’t a coincidence—rugs often face marks from furniture or crushed fibers from constant traffic. If the same thing happens repeatedly, the rug will start to show its age.

Consider rotating the rug. Shift square rugs by 90 degrees, rectangle or oval rugs by 180 degrees, and circle rugs in any direction you want. The slight change won’t affect the design of the room and will relieve some of the stress that your area rug experiences.

Move Your Rugs and Switch Things Up

If you’re feeling adventurous, you may not mind having a change of scenery in each room. Mix your décor up by placing your rugs in different rooms or areas—put the office rug in the bedroom to offer a new perspective to the room’s design. Indecisive decorators will love having the flexibility to swap their room décor. Plus, the rugs will get a break from the stressors present in their previous locations.

Don’t feel like switching the design of your rooms? Try switching the layout of one room—including the placement of the area rug. It may require a lot of heavy lifting depending on the room you’re shifting around, but the payoff might be worth it if you end up liking the new layout more than the old one.

Use Carpet Protectors Under Your Furniture

Furniture pads underneath the legs of your furniture aren’t just for protecting hardwood floors—they can also protect your rug or carpet. Furniture coasters for carpets often have spiked bottoms that relieve the pressure from the weight of the item. You might also find that using carpet protectors on your area rug helps to balance your furniture!

Know How To Revive Smashed Carpet Fibers

Smashed rug fibers are frustrating, but they’re not the end of the world when you know how to fix them. As long as your rug isn’t hand-dyed or fragile, you can place an ice cube on the indented fibers. Allow the ice to melt before checking in again. If the rug is completely dry, the fibers should appear as good as new. If there’s still some moisture, dry it with a paper towel or cloth before gently shaping the fibers upward with a comb or spoon.

Choose an Area Rug That Suits Your Lifestyle

Knowing how to prolong your area rug’s life before you buy one can ensure that you won’t need to replace it anytime soon. Different lifestyles require different rug materials and styles. If you’re concerned about longevity, make an informed selection for your next rug.

If you’re worried about pet hair and dirt, purchase a rug that easily hides both. Match your pet’s hair color or think about dark and patterned rugs. Additionally, you’ll need to consider the rug’s material if you want a stain-resistant rug. Lastly, consider the style of rug—do you need short, level loops for high traffic or tall, shaggy strands for comfort? The kind of rug you choose will impact how you keep it in good condition.

Don’t get stuck with a low-quality rug! Many luxury area rugs still work well in a busy household, especially if you take care of them properly. If you’re searching for a rug with the perfect balance of durability, comfort, and opulence, trust Koeckritz Rugs to provide you with an area rug that meets all your needs.