Rugs tie the room together and add style and comfort to your home or office. However, you need to find the best way to clean and maintain your rug if you want to keep as beautiful as the day you bought it. There are many different materials used for carpets manufacture, and each of them requires the use of different cleaning techniques and products.
It’s a pity when we go to an address and see relatively new rugs worn out prematurely merely because of inadequate treatment. Using harsh, aggressive vacuum cleaners does great harm to some rugs. Others are moisture sensitive and have to be cleaned with as little water as possible. Some fibres are delicate when it comes to treating stains. Nobody wants to spend their money replacing a carpet they barely used. That is why our cleaning experts have put together this guide containing useful information on maintaining different types of rugs.
Jute, Sisal and Sea grass Rugs
Jute, sisal and sea grass rugs usually come in neutral earthy palettes texture and create the impression of effortless style. These floorings have a beautiful rich texture, and they are made without chemical processing, which makes them a safe choice for home interior. However, plant-based natural rugs are not suitable for humid rooms, because they are sensitive to water.
The flooring can also be damaged when treated with excess water. The best way to maintain your natural rug in good condition is to vacuum it on a regular basis. This will remove the surface dirt and dust before it gets too deep into the fibres. Stains and spills have to be treated immediately according to the instructions on the manufacturer’s label. The only deep treatment suitable for rugs made from plant-based fibres is the dry cleaning method.
Wool Rugs
Woollen fibres are one of the most versatile and durable natural materials used for carpets. When appropriately maintained wool rugs hold their beautiful appearance year after year, even when placed in high traffic areas. When these natural carpets are tightly woven, they can also “repel” liquids. Of course, the material will absorb the moisture eventually, but this takes some time. This means that if you soak up a spill quickly, you might even prevent colouring of the fibres and won’t need to treat the area with strong detergents.
But wool has its weaknesses too. Colours fade fast when exposed to direct sunlight, so placing the carpet under a window is not a great idea. Humidity is also a problem – avoid putting the wool rug in dark rooms with poor air circulation to prevent mould and deterioration. When the wool carpet is brand new, you can notice some shedding, but this is natural and lessens with time.
Regular and thorough vacuuming will help you deal with surface dust and dirt and prevent them from settling between the fibres. Hot water extraction at least once a year is the best way to keep your rug hygienic and looking as new.
Synthetic Rugs
Synthetic area rugs are made from man-made fibres, like polypropylene (also known as olefin), acrylic, nylon, or polyester. These carpets are usually machine made, which is the reason for their low price. Besides their cost, they are also a preferred choice for many households because they typically come in a great variety of colours and designs.
Carpets created from man-made fibres are an excellent choice for humid conditions, as well as for outdoor places such as your patio. And although synthetic rugs are not as durable as high-quality wool carpets, with proper cleaning their lifespan can be more than satisfying.
As with other types of carpets, the best maintenance for synthetic rugs is regular vacuuming. Usually, it is relatively easy to wipe spills and remove stains from these man-made materials. However, before cleaning a spot, always check the instructions on the manufacturer’s label. For deep cleaning, it is still best to turn to a professional rug cleaner, but unlike natural carpets, synthetic ones don’t need this procedure as often.
Pile Rugs
Pile rugs are the most common type of carpeting material in our homes, so it is very likely you’ll have to deal with one. When maintaining and cleaning your pile rug, you should simply follow a similar method to the one you would use to care for a wall-to-wall carpet.
First of all, keep up with regular vacuuming, at least twice a week, to ensure all dust and dirt is removed from the carpet. You should deal with all spills instantly, according to the rug’s specifications, to make sure there won’t be long-lasting damage (refer to our blog for various stain removal tips for rugs and carpets). Lastly, we suggest you hire a professional company at least once a year to provide deep cleaning and help improve and extend the lifespan of your rug.
Flat Weave Rugs
We continue with one durable and long-lasting rug type – the flat weave rugs. This carpeting option is ideal for active families as they typically are pretty low maintenance when it comes to cleaning. Flat weave rugs are also an excellent choice for allergy sufferers.
The smooth texture efficiently prevents dirt and dust from getting trapped between the fibres, whereas in pile rugs this is a daily occurrence. Flat weave carpetings are also easier to maintain when it comes to wiping spills. If the carpet is of smaller size, it can quickly be taken outside so any dirt can be removed simply by patting and shaking the rug. Nevertheless, always check the label before cleaning your flat weave flooring by yourself as some are dry clean only. The best option is to hire professional rug cleaners once a year for an in-depth and more thorough cleanup.
Oriental Rugs
There are carpets you can wash by yourself, but this can be damaging for other types of carpeting. When it comes to maintaining an oriental rug, we strongly recommend you to hire a professional cleaner. Oriental carpets are made from delicate natural fibres, which is the reason behind their beautiful and elegant look, but they need to be treated with specific procedures and detergents.
Regular vacuuming is still the one thing you can do at home to remove the dirt and dust from the surface, but it won’t do a thorough job in depth. We advise hiring a professional rug cleaning company as the technicians will provide the right equipment and solutions to deal with both machine-woven and handmade rugs.