Maybe you’ve decided to redecorate your home and get rid of some rugs that you don’t feel like using at the moment. Or maybe you feel that while rugs are great accessories during winter, they aren’t so useful in summer. Whatever the case, you should never throw away a good rug until you are certain that you won’t use it anymore.
Although rugs generally aren’t fragile items, storing them properly is essential to avoid them getting damaged.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about storing rugs.
- Cleaning the Rug
Before you do anything else, you should clean the rug(s) that you want to store.
First, you need to dust your rug. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum it thoroughly. Repeat these two processes until your rug is dust and dirt-free. Dusting and vacuuming will get rid of dust, entrenched hair, dust mites, flea eggs, etc., that could cause odours over long periods of storage.
Also, if your rug can be washed, consider having it done professionally. Apart from deep washing your rug, professionals will include an insect repellent as well, which is another plus.
- Rolling and Wrapping the Rug
You should always roll your rug, never fold it. Folding it, will create creases or cracks that are very hard to remove and could permanently damage the rug.
In order to determine which way to roll your rug, check both the back and the front. The pile (the front part) is usually more delicate, which means that you should roll your rug with the pile facing inward.
While you are rolling it, make sure that you keep your rug as straight as possible. Also, make sure that you don’t roll it too tightly. Doing that can weaken both the backing and the glue, which will cause your rug to curl up when you try to unroll it.
Once you’ve finished rolling the rug, you should use twine to secure it. Using twine is a great option since it keeps everything in place without putting too much pressure on the rug’s surface. Before securing your rug with a piece of twine, just make sure that the fibres of the rope are soft enough.
The next step is wrapping your rolled-up rug — it’s best to use a muslin sheet or Tyvek paper to do this. In order to keep your rug fully protected, wrap it at least one and a half times. Then, secure the wrapping with either polyester twill tape or with a piece of cotton.
All of these wrapping methods will do the job — you can select the one that you find most practical and affordable. Just be sure not to wrap your rug in plastic since that will prevent it from “breathing”.
- Storing the Rug
Now that you’ve prepared your rug for storage, it’s time to find a perfect place to store it.
Although your basement, attic, or garage may look like good solutions, they aren’t. Why? Because fluctuations in temperatures can damage and age your rug.
A storage unit is the perfect solution for storing your valuable rugs.
Not only will you save space at your home, but you will also ensure that your rugs are kept in good condition, even if they are stored over long periods of time.
Just remember to always place your rug vertically and make sure that there is nothing stacked on top of it. The vertical position will protect your rug from moisture. Moreover, if you store your rug up high, the chances that something will fall on it and damage it will be minimal.