Caring for Your Area Rugs

Wall-to-wall carpets aren't the only type of flooring that needs care. Your area rugs may be removable, but that doesn't mean that you should toss them and buy new ones when they get dirty. Obviously, you knew this. But sometimes those smaller rugs might seem like they don't need the same level of care and cleaning as your larger, or continuous, stretches of carpet.

If you have area rugs, you also need to know the ins and outs of caring for them. Proper care can extend the life of your area rugs and make them look newer longer. Whether you just bought a new rug or you've had one for years, you need to start a care and cleaning routine pronto.

What do you need to know about caring for your area rugs?

Take a look at the top tips for keeping your carpets looking like new.

Turn the Rugs

There's a traffic pattern in your home. You walk in the front door after work and immediately traipse over your living room area rug. You tend to walk on one side and not the other. Your other area rugs are also getting a workout but in different ways. If your rug has a shape and design that can switch from one direction to another, turning the whole thing to its side can reduce the wear and tear.

Try turning your area rugs at least once, possibly twice, each year. Rugs that get more foot traffic may need a few extra turns. This helps to space out the pressure and wear on them and may make the rug last longer. Think of turning your area rugs like rotating the tires on your car. It makes them wear evenly and can extend their overall life.

Shake It Out

Smaller areas rugs are easy to pick up and clean. Instead of lugging heavy equipment in to keep them dust and dirt free, all you need to do is take them outside. Bring the rug outdoors (away from your deck, outdoor furniture, swing set and plants) and shake it — vigorously.

Keep in mind that the idea isn't to get the gunk and grime off of your rug and onto you. Shake the rug away from your body and make sure that the wind isn't blowing the dust and debris back on you.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming is a simple way to keep your area rugs clean every day. If the rug is too large to take outside and shake, vacuuming gets the loose debris (such as pet hair or chunks of dirt) and dust off. Don't forget to change the pile height for different rugs. If your rug has fringe on the ends, avoid catching it in the vacuum. You can use the nozzle tool to clean under the rug or have a helper pick up one end as you vacuum underneath.

Not every carpeting material acts the same when it comes to vacuuming. For example, wool loop carpets may fuzz and fray with constant vacuuming. Try the attachment tool instead of running the entire vacuum over the carpet. This will help to loosen and remove dust and dirt without pulling or damaging your rug.