How To Maintain Your Persian Area Rugs
If you have a Persian area rug, you know how beautiful it can be. The intricate patterns, rich colors, and soft feel of this type of rug are unlike any other. However, as with any carpeting, it is important to care for your Persian rugs so they continue to look great for years to come. Here are some tips for maintaining a Persian rug, so it lasts for years to come:
Clean Spills Immediately
When accidents happen, clean them immediately. Use a soft, dry cloth to soak up the spill, and then blot with a clean towel or rag. If there is a stain, use mild detergent and water as directed on its packaging to treat it. Rinse well with cold water until all traces of soap are removed from the rug. Then let it dry, and do not spray odors (such as in front of an open window).
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuum your Persian area rug regularly to remove dust and debris. You should use a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush head or beater bar, but not both. A rotating brush head is ideal because it will pull and release dirt from the fibers of your rug, allowing it to circulate back into the air rather than being trapped in the fibers of your rug.
If you have hardwood floors in addition to rugs, you may want to consider using a vacuum with two heads—one for hard floors and one for carpets—so that you can easily switch between surfaces without having to change attachments or re-adjust settings on each machine.
Rotate Your Area Rug
One of the best ways to maintain a Persian rug is to rotate it at least once every few months. Whether you do this on a regular schedule or just when you notice that one side of the area rug has become more worn than another, rotating your rug will help it last longer and prevent wear and tear. Rotating should also help prevent your area rug from developing a "spot" (or several spots). It's easy enough to do: just move one side of your area rug towards another wall so that half is facing one direction, then flip it over so that the other half is facing outward with fresh carpet fibers exposed for people to walk upon.
Trim Back Long Pet Nails
Keep your Persian area rugs looking as good as new by trimming back long pet nails. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see the quick (the pink part) at the end of your cat or dog's nail, it's time to clip. You may need to consult an expert if you're not sure what this looks like.
If you have a pet who scratches up your rug, trimming back their nails is an easy way to prevent further damage—and keep them out of trouble!
Protect Your Area Rug From Direct Sunlight
One of the most important things you can do to protect your Persian area rug is to keep it out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade the colors and discolor the fibers, causing them to become brittle and break apart over time. It also dries out your rug, which causes mold or mildew that can stain it. Additionally, direct sunlight will cause your Persian area rug to fade over time if left exposed for long periods of time. This means that if you have a room with no curtains or blinds on the windows and absolutely must leave a window open in warm weather (which we recommend against), then make sure there is some covering, like an extra curtain or even a piece of plywood covering up whatever part of your window faces outside so that none of its direct light gets into your house!