Rugs are a staple in any home, it is something that is very useful and can significantly improve the look or style of a room or living space. As opposed to carpets, rugs are a bit smaller in size and can be placed in any part of the house, especially where people tend to converge or in high-traffic areas. It comes in different shapes, colors, and designs. It can be as neutral as a plain solid color rug, or it can be a focal point in a room with intricate designs and vibrant colors.
It can be used anywhere you want it to be and it is cheaper than a full-sized carpet, it requires less maintenance than carpets and you can change it to suit whatever theme or color scheme you feel like having in a room or area. Moreover, you can have different kinds of rugs in different areas of the house to suit the personality of the people living in it and how they will be used.
It is both aesthetic and functional and although not many people give it much thought, a rug can enhance different design elements in a room or to make the room more polished and sophisticated. It can add warmth and texture to a space and it also serves to protect the floor from spills, stains, and water damage.
Rugs are inexpensive and you can probably buy a new one when you get tired of the old one even if it is not worn out, but there is also a way to keep your rugs looking brand new so you do not have to always buy a new one. Most rugs are made from a combination of different fibers and some of them may be synthetic as the all-natural rugs are difficult to find and a tad pricier. Once rugs are thrown away, it is not biodegradable and recyclable and therefore you will be adding to the pollution of our environment.
To learn more about keeping your rugs looking like new follow the tips below because a dirty and worn-out rug will not do.
Buy good quality rugs.
Rugs come in all shapes and sizes and with different types of materials, if it is cheap then most likely it is made from synthetic materials that are not good for the body and the environment. Steer clear of rugs that smell like burned rubber or plastic, as it is made from those materials and can contain harmful chemicals or it can easily catch fire.
Good quality rugs can be found in specialty shops, choose those that are made from natural fibers and contain as little polyester or other similar materials. You can easily tell a good quality rug from how it feels to the touch, so check out the rug, pull on the fibers and see if it is easily removed, inspect the back part and look under to check what it is made from.
You can also check the weight of the rug, the better ones are heavier and will tend to stay flat on the floor, check if it skids or is easily removed as this might be accident-prone. Choose one with a solid color or one with patterns and ask if the rug is color-safe, you might want to ask the salesperson about this. The worst thing to happen would be to have a rug that will stain your hardwood floors or tiles.
Rugs come in various designs but do not get those shaggy rugs that have long strands as it may be pretty to look at but it is a dust and dirt magnet and may require professional cleaning most of the time. To keep your rugs looking new, you need to invest in good-quality rugs first.
Clean your rugs regularly
Since rugs are usually placed on the floor and people step on them most of the time, it is where dust and dirt from footwear or the feet tend to reside. To extend the like of your rugs, you need to clean them regularly. You may do spot-on cleaning as soon as you see spills or stains so that they will not seep into the fibers. Then you need to include cleaning it on your daily routine, either 2 or 3 times a week, and then give it a thorough cleaning once a month or have it professionally cleaned every 6 months.
You will probably save money from professional cleaning services if you regularly clean your rugs. You can clean it by using a vacuum and then brushing the fibers to get to the deeper crevices or scrape off any hardened dirt that is on the rug. Some rugs can be washed with soap and water, but you need to check the care tag first before doing this as you might end up destroying the rug. As long as you regularly clean your rugs, it will not require any professional cleaning for months. Moreover, if you always keep it clean, dust and dirt will not have any chance of seeping into the rug and it will look new every time.
Accidents can happen
If someone accidentally spills wine or coffee in your all-white rugs, all you need to do is to soak the stained area with detergent and bleach. However, this is not an option if your rug has color. You can still do spot cleaning using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to remove the stain, but if the stain remains, then it is time to buy a new rug.
You can use the stained rug in the laundry room or the basement where you will not mind having a stained rug if you do not want to throw it out. You can also cut out the stained area and use the remaining rug in the kitchen or the bathroom either way it will still be functional. Rugs can keep looking like new if it is properly cared for.
