Rugs are an important addition to any space and can be the final addition a room needs to be exactly right for your home. Rugs are an invaluable investment into your interior decor, and quality carpet care can keep your rugs looking immaculate for years to come. This comprehensive guide will highlight how to care for the several types of rugs available on the market.

An appreciable way to incorporate texture, colour and patterns into the space, it is important that time is spent choosing the correct rug for your home. Wearability, material, size, shape and ease of care are all important considerations in the rug buying process. As there is a wide variety of rugs available on the market, this guide can be utilised to narrow your search - allowing you to analyse which rug type is best suited for your home and lifestyle.

perfect rug

Placement: Finding the Perfect Rug for Your Space:

Before picking a rug, it is important to consider where the rug will reside within your home. Areas of high traffic will require rugs with higher durability, otherwise you run the risk of having to replace your rug due to damage from wear. Softer, less durable rug types will be better suited to areas of low traffic, such as under a table.

The shape and pattern of the rug also come into play. Our modern rugs highlight the best design trends of the recent years and is a great starting place if you are unsure what rug will work best in your space. Geometric patterns and bold patterns are in-vogue now, and vastly improve the aesthetic of your space.

Remember these rules of thumb when it comes to rug placement:

Larger and rectangular shaped rugs make spaces like entry rooms appear bigger. These rugs accentuate a space and make it appear larger. If this is your goal, our Visions rugs are the perfect place to start. However, this style isn’t the best choice for highlighting furnishings, as it can dwarf them.

Smaller circular or shaped rugs are a perfect choice for highlighting furnishings. When placed at the end of the bed or under a sofa, the shape draws attention to how the furniture interacts with the space. Our Bondi rug is perfect for this, adding a captivating element to the room.

bondi rug

Runner rugs are super durable due to the strength of their pile. This makes them the perfect addition to high-traffic areas, like hallways. This shape is perfect for revitalising the space, whilst simultaneously protecting your floors from dirt and wear.

Living Room:

Less is certainly not more when it comes to your living room. Smaller rugs will cause the room to appear crowded and cluttered, a disservice to the communal nature of your living space.

Larger rugs will shine within this space, especially when traditionally centred within the room. This creates the illusion of space, making the room appear bigger and more inviting to guests. Our Visions - Winter Grey Modern rug is a smart choice for living rooms, as the neutral colours will go with most room colour schemes without distracting from the furniture within the space.

living room

Dining Room:

Bespoke dining rooms are all about proportion, so the size of rug that you need for this space differs depending on the furniture you have. A handy hint is to make sure the rug is large enough so that all your dining chairs remain on it even when pulled out.

Larger wins over smaller rugs for this space, as again, the illusion of openness is what you want to achieve. This creates an inviting atmosphere, which is pivotal for communal spaces.

Large round rugs are an excellent choice for those who are wanting something different for their dining room. The trendy Matrix rug’s geometric pattern is perfect for those wanting an eye-catching centrepiece for the room, or for those who have smaller spaces.

Dining Room

Study:

Home offices are where smaller rugs shine. Highlighting a desk or book nook with a small, modern rug is a fantastic way to create a comfortable atmosphere within the room. A rug can also be used to add texture and colour to a smaller space, without compromising on room for storage and furniture.

Rugs protect the floor against weighed-down furniture and traffic from office chairs. Thus, rugs are a practical addition to this space.

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How to Keep Your Rug Clean: Materials Guide:

Rug care differs depending on the material used to create the pile. This guide will provide handy care hints for varied materials, making your rug care stress-free.

Natural Materials:

Environmentally friendly and able to add texture to a space - natural materials such as hemp should not be used in damp places due to the risks of mould.

Natural fibres are super durable and are well suited to areas of high traffic. Tough pile means this type of rug can handle a lot of wear - meaning you can rest easy knowing your walkways have met their match.

Standard vacuuming should suffice at keeping your biodegradable rugs in good nick. However, if a stain or larger mess occurs, a simple solution of 50/50 white vinegar and water or mild detergent will do the trick. Remember to go light on the water - most natural fibres are super absorbent, meaning you will have to leave them outside to dry if they become exposed to water. A hassle - so, take it easy.

Wool:

Wool is super popular among rug buyers due to its durability and natural stain resistance. These rugs are extremely durable and easy to clean. They have a lovely texture, commonly found in tufted, flat-woven and shag.

Acting quickly when spillages occur and making sure to wipe them up with a paper towel should save you from most headaches. Regular vacuuming will reduce dust build-up and using a light spritz of water followed by brushing will help remove any stubborn patches.

One thing to be mindful of is new wool rugs may shed for the first few months of ownership. This can be annoying, but regular vacuuming will help reduce the mess. This will go away as the rug is worn in and will eventually subside completely.

wool

Polyester:

Affordable, easy to clean and super soft, polyester is perfect for high traffic areas. With minimal shedding, it is less work than wool rugs during the first few months of ownership.

Begin by shaking the rug outside to remove excess dirt. If your rug is too large to shake, hang it over something and beat it to shake some of the dust build-ups. Follow this up by vacuuming the rug, following the steps outlined below.

Deep cleans of a polyester rug are simple due to the durable nature of this fibre. Prior to the deep clean, perform a patch test with your cleaning mixture. During the deep clean, hose it down thoroughly outside and then follow with a warm wash with a detergent mixture (mild, diluted with water). Use a soft brush to lather the soap whilst scrubbing, before allowing the soap to sit for 5-10 minutes. Wash thoroughly, roll the rug tightly and stand to drain excess water. Allow to air dry.

Cotton:

Cotton is a natural fibre and is durable. Smaller cotton rugs can be machine-washed if they are shaken out beforehand. Laundromats can wash larger cotton rugs for ease, otherwise a steam cleaner can be used.

Polypropylene:

Polypropylene is a synthetic fibre that is very affordable, difficult to destroy and easy to clean. Non-shedding, this rug is very beginner-friendly. Children will meet their match with this rug, due to its near-indestructible nature.

The colours in polypropylene rugs remain consistent due to the phase in which the fibres are dyed. They are dyed at the creation of the fibre rather than being added as an afterthought, vastly reducing bleed or inconsistencies.

Polypropylene rugs are hassle-free to care for and pet friendly. These rugs can be cleaned in five minutes. Give them a good spray down and use a quality liquid detergent. Scrub with a nylon brush and then dry. Make sure to clean all the detergent from the rug, as dust may become trapped in any excess. Dry with a carpet-dryer or air dry.

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Construction:

Construction is a key consideration in purchasing a rug due to the differences in care needs. Machine made rugs are durable, have piles and have consistent designs. They are also more affordable.

Handmade rugs come in three distinct styles - woven, braided and loomed. Some hand made rugs do not have a pile, allowing them to be reversible. Handmade rugs tend to require higher care than machine-made equivalents. Professional cleaning is recommended due to the potentially delicate nature of these rugs. If in doubt - spot clean and call in a professional, as damage may be an eyesore that is easily avoided with correct care.

Stress Free Guide to Cleaning Your Rug

Here are some of our winning tips for keeping your rug clean.

Vacuuming:

  1. Choose an optimal vacuum for rug cleaning. Cannister vacuum cleaners with no breaker bars are the best for cleaning rugs. Gentle cleans can be achieved with brooms but avoid using handheld vacuums. If you really must, opt for the handheld attachment where possible.
  2. Avoid running over the edges of the rug. Lift the vacuum carefully onto the rug or avoid the edges altogether, utilising a brush instead. Handheld attachments can be used but are not optimal.
  3. Handwoven rugs need extra care, as the suction can pull on the weave of the rug. Alternatively, shake or beat the rug where possible to minimise damage.

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Stains:

  1. Clean stains immediately. Quick action is vital in preserving the quality of your rug. Once a stain has set, it becomes immensely difficult to remove.
  2. Blotting is your friend. Always blot spills, never rub. Use a dry cotton cloth or paper towel and work from the outer edges of the spill towards the middle. This minimises spreading.
  3. Residual staining can be removed by dampening a cotton cloth or paper towel with lukewarm, clean water. Blot to absorb moisture from the rug. Be aware that Viscose or Tencel rugs should never be cleaned with water or liquid, consult a professional for these rugs.

Rugs are an important staple of interior decoration, adding texture, colour and pattern to a space. They should be well cared for to maintain the longevity of your rugs. Through this guide, we have highlighted the various materials and techniques for caring for them. Thus, your rug care can be stress-free.