If you’re a rug owner, then it’s likely that you’ll go through similar problems to other rug owners out there. But, you don’t have to panic as there’s a number of different things you can do to help solve these common problems on your own! Here’s a list of common rug problems that you may encounter, and things you can do to help resolve any issues:
Rug Pile Wear
This will probably be the most common rug problem you come across, and is especially true if you use your rug as a cushion for your furniture. An easy way to avoid this is to rotate your rugs or rotate your furniture on a regular basis. This will help distribute the weight and give the rug time to recover, especially on the spots which were receiving the brunt of the furniture weight. Alternatively, you can use furniture foot pads to help distribute the weight.
Shedding or Fluffing
You may notice that there’s some fibre shedding in the early stages of having your rug in the house, especially in wool rugs. Shedding is very normal, but excessive shedding is not. If you believe your rug is shedding too much, then it may be cause for concern. In the first instance, it’s a good idea to talk to the manufacturer of the rug or an expert like ourselves to try and ascertain why the rug is shedding. In the meantime, regular vacuuming should help get rid of excess fibre to help keep your rug looking presentable.
Fading Colour
The colour of your rug will naturally fade away over time as it ages. However, natural fading can be accelerated, especially if your rug is exposed to direct sunlight on a daily basis. The sun and your rug are not the best of friends. Fading can also happen faster if you use chemical-based cleaning agents and pesticides. To help avoid unnatural rug colour fading, make sure that your rugs aren’t directly in the sunlight. You can also rotate the rug, or move the rug to a different spot regularly to make sure no one side is exposed at all times.
Stains
Rug stains are most commonly caused by liquid spills such as coffee, fizzy drinks and even food. To help minimise staining you can use blotting papers or a cloth to absorb the liquid – this should be done immediately after a spill. If there is a stain one the liquid is dry you should seek professional help to remove it, refrain from using any chemicals as these can damage the rug and cause the colour to fade. As a quick fix to help before you can book your rug in for professional cleaning, you could use one of our Spot & Spill Removers.
Pulled Loops
Pulled loops are usually caused by sharp objects against a rug. This could be caused by your pets, especially cats and dogs that like sharpening their claws on materials like rugs. To hide the signs of Pulled Loops, don’t pull out the pulls. To make your rug look even you can trim the pulls that are coming out.
Soiling
Rugs are not resistant to dirt, dust and soil so these things can easily get trapped in the rug base. Soiling can be caused by things like dirty shoes, and to avoid this you should make rug vacuuming part of your weekly cleaning routine. There’s no need to vacuum your rug on a daily basis as this can damage the fibres of the rug, but having a regular vacuuming schedule can help minimise soiling.
Insect Damage
Rugs can be the perfect home for insects such as dust mites, carpet beetles, moths and more. Insect damage can be caused by not giving your rug the care, cleaning and maintenance that it needs. Just like soiling, this can be resolved by giving your rugs regular cleaning and vacuuming. If there is an insect infestation in your rug, it’s best to call in the professionals to handle the problem. We have the right equipment and skills to handle this kind of issue!
All of the issues listed can be avoided if rugs are looked after properly, and that includes regular washing! If you’re looking to give your rug a regular clean then please get in touch with us today!
You can fill out our form to receive a free quote, give us a call on 01269 842497 or email us at hello@theruglaundry.co.uk.
Source: A Comprehensive Guide to Oriental & Specialty Rug Cleaning by Ellen Amirkhan & Aaron Groseclose
