WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A RUG?

Measure and get the dimension of the area rug that you actually need (getting the smallest and largest you would want to go). It will be much better if you know the dimensions before actually buying the area rug for your purchase satisfaction.

To be more confident with your choice of area rug in the store, it will be easier if you brought a cushion, fabric, paint swatch or anything that will aid in selecting a closer colour and design that you would like.

Three considerations in the manner of how area rugs are constructed: density, twist and fiber. The denser the material is made, the longer is the life span of the area rug. The tighter the twist, the more durable it is. The natural fibers normally offer longer life span too. Natural fibers include wool, bamboo, jute, cotton. While synthetic fibers will include nylon and polypropylene or olefin.

Natural fibers are good choices but are sold at higher price. If budget can be a real concern, consider lower maintenance synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers offer more colorful designs at lower cost.

The bottom line is that you are pleased with the rug (s) you select and that you like the look and feel of the rug(s) in your home.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY RUG?

Proper care and maintenance will greatly enhance both the beauty and the life of your rug. The main maintenance of your rug is to vacuum regularly. If you have a wool rug, then beater bars are to be avoided as they may damage a rug’s foundation and you will find many loose fibers.

Clean spills immediately by blotting (never scrub) with a like colour cloth or sponge and professional cleaning is recommended every couple of years.

Rug protectors are recommended for your safety, for the protection of your rug (rugs wear from the back up), for the underlying surfaces and to prevent color transfer.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY COWHIDE?

Vacuum with head brush in the down position or give rug a shake outside. You can wipe cowhide smoothly in the direction of the hair with a damp cloth with mild soap and water. Do not wash in a washing machine or dry clean. Brushing with a hard plastic brush helps to keep the hair soft and fluffy and helps remove dirt.

For common spills like wine, coffee, tea, juice, food, soup, urine & vomit – soak up spills with a paper towel or sponge immediately. Remove solid matter with a blunt edge of knife by scraping gently in the direction of the hair. Then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth using mild soapy solution. You can wipe & rub the hair vigorously in any direction. Finally clean with a damp cloth using a diluted 1% white vinegar & 99% water solution, this balances the PH levels and helps eliminate unpleasant odors.

Cowhides do not like to be damp or wet for long periods, please avoid this.  On a sunny day, you can put your cowhide outside with the underside facing the sun to air out.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY SHEEP SKIN?

Machine wash, using mild liquid detergent, spin. Hand warm minimum wash, using mild liquid detergent. Spin to remove excess water.

Dry – Do Not tumble dry. Dry flat and stretch to shape while still damp.  Dry away from direct sunlight or artificial heat.

Drycleanable.

Brushing – Regular brushing and shaking will help maintain the soft, fluffy appearance and feel of the lambskin.

AREA RUG CARE & MAINTENANCE

The usual maintenance would be to vacuum the area rug as least once a week. Doing it twice a week is even better.

Sprinkle some baking soda on the area rug and leave on for a few minutes before vacuuming to freshen it up a little.

Placing a rug pad beneath any rug will protect it from wear and keep it from moving or wrinkling.

By allowing the natural fibers in your rug to breathe, a rug pad will increase its lifespan.

Rotate your rug every 6-12 months to even out the wear caused by household traffic and to even out the fading caused by exposure to direct sunlight. Fading is natural as a rug ages, but keeping it out of the sun will keep the colours vibrant longer (especially in natural fiber and Persian rugs).

Should a stain or spill occur, warm water and a mild soap may be all that is needed for the clean-up.

Even with good weekly vacuuming, rugs will collect some dust and dirt over time, so a professional cleaning should be done at least every two years.

• First, identify which area you want to put the rug on.
• Then, get a measuring tape and get the dimension of the area rug that you actually need (getting the smallest and largest you would want to go). It will be much better if you know the dimensions before actually buying the area rug.
• To be more confident with your choice of area rug in the store, it will be easier if you brought a cushion, fabric, paint swatch or anything that will aid in selecting a closer colour and design that you would like.

 

Rugs can be used in many ways, both practical and decorative.

All rug owners/users should use rug pads. Rug pads should be used under rugs no matter where the rugs are placed (ie. On carpet or hard floors). This is because rugs wear out from the bottom, caused by friction when the rug is walked on. The Rug Room carries SUPERGRIP Non Slip Rug Protectors made of Polyester. This rug pad not only keeps your rug in place, but also helps keep your rug in good condition and adds to the life of the rug.

In a sitting area, it is common to have the front legs of the chairs on the rug, however, try to avoid having more than two feet of empty rug behind the furniture. It is best to arrange the rug and chairs in a sitting area so that the people seated in the chairs can have both feet on the rug.

Under the dining room table, add 27-30 inches all around. This allows space for the back legs of the chair to remain on the rug.

For rugs in a bedroom, multiple smaller area rugs can be used effectively by placing one at the foot of the bed and one or two on each side of the bed.

One great way to display an area rug is simply in spaces where there is no furniture on the rug (ie. In front of a fireplace, in the middle of a room, in front of a bookcase, or in front of a sink). Rugs used in open areas can provide a splash of colour to give the room more personality.

Rugs used in an entryway can create a welcoming and cozy feeling.

One large rug is often best if you want to have the elements of a room match or complement each other; while multiple rugs can divide the room into different areas.

The most common decorating tips that apply when using more than one rug in a room indicate that the rugs should complement each other without being clones and that they have at least one aspect in common; whether it’s design, color, or size.

When coordinating a rug with upholstery:

• A floral pattern offers a pleasant contrast with geometric designs.
• Rug patterns that are “busy” go well with less ornate designs.
• A large pattern and a small pattern can go together well.

If you want your furniture to be the focal point, you’ll probably want to select a rug that picks up the colours in the patterns of the furnishings. Different patterns can usually be mixed as long as they are colour-coordinated.

If you want your rug to be the focal point, a rug with a bold design works well when the sofa and chairs are a solid colour or a subdued pattern.

A rug with a small pattern or a light colour makes almost any room seem more spacious.

Deeper, darker colours in a rug can create a feeling of warmth or coziness in a room.

Don’t limit your decorating plans to include only rectangular rugs. Give consideration to round, oval, hexagonal and octagonal rugs as well, since they can really add flair and elegance to your floor.

Three considerations in the manner of how area rugs are constructed: density, twist and fiber. The denser the material is made, the longer is the life span of the area rug. The tighter the twist, the more durable it is. The natural fibers normally offer longer life span too.

Natural fibers include wool, bamboo, jute, cotton. While synthetic fibers will include nylon and polypropylene or olefin.

Natural fibers are good choices but are sold at higher price. If budget can be a real concern, consider lower maintenance synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers offer more colorful designs at lower cost.

The bottom line…is that you are pleased with the rug (s) you select and that you like the look and feel of the rug (s) in your home.