Do you have a vintage rug? Just like all antiques, vintage rugs are one of the latest and hottest trends as old becomes new again.
How do you care for an antique rug? You’ve spent so much time finding the perfect rug (or maybe it was a hand-me-down), and now it’s time to care for your purchase.
Keep reading for some tips and insight on how to care for your beautiful antique rug so you can enjoy it for years to come.
Daily Maintenance
You don’t want damaging dust or grit to build up on your vintage rug. This is why you should brush or vacuum your rug every day. You should even rotate your rug occasionally to help with uneven sun fade.
Try vacuuming the back part of your rug every now and then to help it stay dust-free and prevent moths from invading your rug. Make sure you use the right setting on your vacuum. Try using the bare floor setting to prevent any wear or damage.
Avoid placing heavy furniture on these rugs if you can. You should also make sure people don’t walk on your rug with dirty shoes. Request people to walk barefoot or use indoor-only slippers or sandals when walking on this rug.
Don’t DIY Clean Your Rug
If you feel your rug is dirty, you may want to consider hiring an expert. Even with handwashing, you need to use the right pH-balanced shampoo and need to work it into the rug. After that, you have to rinse it thoroughly.
This is why it’s best to have an expert so you don’t risk damaging your rug when you clean it. Check out cleanvillecarpetcare.com for expert rug care professionals.
Whatever you do, don’t steam clean or dry clean your rug. Both of these procedures can actually damage your rug. And, you do not want to introduce harsh chemicals that can break down the wool fibers.
Dealing With Spills
Your worst nightmare happens—someone spills on your beautiful rug. What do you do? First of all, don’t panic.
You don’t want the stains to set. If your rug is wool, the lanolin, which is a natural oil in wool, is a stain repellant, so you may already have a line of defense.
If the stain is non-oily (such as wine), blot the spot with a paper towel and add a small amount of water to dilute it. Keep repeating this process as needed. Make sure you add water sparingly.
If the stain is oily or denser, you can grab some heavier paper and use the same blotting/rinse technique. Whatever you do, resist the urge to scrub. This can damage the fibers and cause the stain to seep further into your rug.
If the blotting method does not work, you may want to call a professional rug cleaner. You may actually want to consider hiring a professional cleaner once a year.
Enjoy the Beauty of Your Rug
Having an antique rug is like having a piece of art in your home. You should treat it like that. Don’t try to clean yourself, but take care of any spills immediately.
Remember to use your vacuum on the right setting each day to prevent a buildup of dirt and dust. Don’t forget to get that backside of your rug and rotate your rug.
Looking for more tips to care for your home? Check out our Household section today.