You’ve invested a good amount in your area rugs as a way to jazz up your home or business — don’t let that investment go to waste! Properly caring for your area rugs will not only keep them looking much nicer, but it will also help high quality rugs last for generations.

Cleaning Area Rugs

Keeping your area rugs generally clean is the first step to proper care. Vacuum the surface of your rugs periodically to pick up any crumbs, pet hair or other debris that may have fallen between the knots over time. However, do not vacuum the fringes, as this will likely damage the fringe (and it can cause minor damage to your vacuum, too). It’s best to turn off the beating brush or use an attachment to vacuum it for optimal results that won’t cause damage over time.

To keep your designer area rug looking great, you should take it to a professional to be washed at least every five years. Do not attempt to steam clean it yourself or wash it in a machine washer — this will not give you the results you want and will likely cause damage to your rug instead of cleaning it. If you spill something on the rug, carefully blot it with a towel until all the excess moisture is absorbed (don’t rub it in). Let the area dry by hanging the rug on something so both sides are exposed to air, or use a blow dryer on low heat to dry it more quickly. While it’s drying, comb the nap in the appropriate direction. If you have an antique rug or one that is extremely delicate, consider taking it to a professional instead of cleaning a spill yourself.

Repairing a Designer Area Rug

Whether your dog has chewed on your rug’s edging or unexpected wear has occurred, rugs that are high quality and hand-knotted can be repaired by a master weaver. Talk to local rug stores in your area to see what options are available for repair — the size of the area that needs to be repaired and the kind of rug you have will determine the cost of the repair. In some cases, it may not be worth the cost of repair, which is why it is best to catch wear and tear early before it spreads.

Area Rugs Storage

Sometimes you need to store area rugs for a long period of time. If you do, wrap the rug in cloth to protect it — handmade rugs need to breath and a plastic covering may promote mildew developing. All rugs can be stored for long periods when laid flat on top of each other (just look at how they store rugs in stores). Another effective way to store them is to keep them rolled up in a cool, dry place accompanied by moth crystals that are replaced every few months. Have large area rugs you need to store? Roll large area rugs around a pole, and let the ends rest on blocks.

With the proper care, a designer area rug can last for generations and will truly be an investment for your home.

Allison Edrington is a business writer for Alyshaan, an area rug store in Arizona providing fine handmade area rugs in United States. They are having a large stock of rugs with unique varieties including contemporary area rugs, tribal rugs, custom rugs, antique oriental rugs and other various types with unique design, style, pattern and color.