© 2018 – 2025 Living Space Furniture and Decor Limited. All Rights Reserved
Complete Rug Care Guide: How to Keep Your Rugs Clean
The Importance of Rug Care in New Zealand
Rugs are a vital element of any home, providing warmth, elegance, and a touch of home to your living areas. Just like other home furnishings, you need proper rug care & maintenance to retain the excellent condition of your rugs. Regular cleaning and maintenance can not only help to preserve the looks but also play a very important role in the prevention of pests and thus the cleanliness of your home as well.
It is our aim in this guide to show you the best ways for rug care, such as how to avoid common pests and how to maintain your rugs for a long period.
Buy Premium Quality Rugs in New Zealand Now!
Table of contents
- The Importance of Rug Care in New Zealand
- 1. Understanding Common Rug Problems
- 2. How to Get Rid of Pests in Your Rugs
- 3. Routine Cleaning and Rug Maintenance
- 4. Preventive Measures for Prolonging Your Rug’s Lifespan
- 5. When to Seek Professional Rug Care
- 6. How to Properly Store Rugs When Not in Use
- Conclusion: A Clean, Pest-Free Rug Is an Investment in Your Home
1. Understanding Common Rug Problems
Rugs in New Zealand can develop different problems over time caused by normal wear and tear or pets. The case is even worse when they get heavy foot traffic, spills, or attract pests. Consequently, we urgently need to review some of the most common challenges homeowners face when it comes to their rug care.
a. Dirt and Debris Buildup
- After sometime, fibres in your rug can get dirty due to dust, dirt & debris. Hence, losing it’s look & shine. At the same time, regular cleaning will eliminate this buildup and give your rug a brighter and fresher look.
b. Pests and Insects
- Rugs are notorious for harboring pests like carpet beetles, fleas, and moths. They can chew up rugs and cause severe damage. If you want to save long-term damage, look out for the infestation at an early stage.
2. How to Get Rid of Pests in Your Rugs
a. How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Your Carpet In New Zealand
Rug owners must have their pets in good health if they are to enjoy a trouble-free life because fleas can be a sure headache for some. Here is what you can do to get rid of fleas in your carpet in New Zealand:
- Vacuum your carpets to clean up fleas, larvae, and eggs every time.
- You can also use flea sprays, which can be used on carpets or go for natural means like diatomaceous earth.
- Wash your rugs in hot water (if washable) to kill fleas. In case the situation does not improve, it is essential that you seek professional pest control services.
b. How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles and Moths
Sick of beetles and moths chewing your rugs at home? The problem is easily solvable, though.
Point the problem:
- Check for small holes and irregularities in your carpet.
- a vacuum cleaner to eliminate the eggs and larvae from the rug.
- Use moth repellents that are safe for humans. These include cedar, lavender, and essential oils.
- Throw your rug in the freezer: To kill the eggs and larvae of the suspected infested rug, you should place it in the freezer for a couple of days.
3. Routine Cleaning and Rug Maintenance
a. Regular Vacuuming:
- The best way to clean a rug and keep it in perfect condition is by vacuuming.
- Vacuum your rug at least once a week to maintain its original, new look for a long time.
- Prefer a vacuum cleaner with the ability to adjust its height if you are dealing with wool rugs or any other type of delicate rug to avoid tearing the fibers.
- Stay away from using a beater bar on a high-end rug; this will bring grime and cause splits over it over time.
b. Spot Cleaning and Deep Cleaning
- In the case of a spill or a stain, quickly reacts so that it does not get into the carpet and become a permanent stain.
- Take a paper towel and gently wipe the spilled substance with it and a little mild soap solution, too, if necessary.
- Remove the stains as soon as possible.
- A professional cleaning service should be scheduled once every 6-12 months, according to the use of the rug.
c. How to Stop Rugs from Moving on Carpet
Here are the ways to stop a rug from moving on the carpet in New Zealand:
- Use a hard slip-resistant rubber pad because it would hold the rug in its place and stop it from shifting.
- Use double-sided tape under the rug to fix it to the carpet.
Check out these new Lounge Suites in New Zealand that’ll go along with your rugs!
4. Preventive Measures for Prolonging Your Rug’s Lifespan
a. Protecting Your Rugs from Sun Damage
- UV rays from the sun may fur rugs if the sun shines directly on the spot for a long time. Change the orientation of your rugs frequently to maintain their condition. UV rays can fade your rugs.
- Use window treatments to protect them.
b. Rug Care for Specific Rug Types (Wool, Synthetic, etc.)
Materials for different rugs, like wool, will not be cleaned the way nylon is cleaned. Woolen rugs are fragile, so their condition is essential while maintaining them. Cleaning can be done using some methods on a synthetic rug. However, avoid the use of bleach, wring the rug, or misuse the fabrics in any form during the cleaning process!
Wool Rugs:
- The rug can be cleaned by vacuuming it weekly, keeping away from the use of chemicals, and also professionally cleaning it.
Synthetic Rugs:
- Most of the time, they are easy to clean, and you can wash them often. However, use bleach only if you want to discard the items.
Natural Fiber Rugs:
- Use a vacuum that is light on carpet to remove these types. Do not apply water on the rug.
5. When to Seek Professional Rug Care
Once in a while, all the efforts you apply might not be sufficient, so a professional hand is needed on several occasions.
Here are some signs that your rug could use professional help:
- The stain is so stubborn that even after applying DIY methods, it still refuses to come off.
- Bed infestations are not always successfully eliminated by home treatments.
- Very noticeable fray or wear and tear that is not going away by simply washing or shaking off.
6. How to Properly Store Rugs When Not in Use
If you want to store your carpet, you have to do it in such a way that there is no damage to your rug, something that you will otherwise regret later as a foolish decision.
Draw your rug up:
- To prevent creases, always roll your rug rather than folding it. Do not use plastic, but instead, use mesh and other types of storage bags that are not airtight so that the carpet can have air and light even during storage. This will prevent mold growth due to humidity.
Prefer a cool, dry place:
- Keep the covering in a place that is dry and out of direct sunlight or moisture.
Looking for A NZ Made Sofa set that’ll go along with your rugs at home?
Conclusion: A Clean, Pest-Free Rug Is an Investment in Your Home
Proper rug care is instrumental in the sense that it not only keeps the rug in good shape but also is a way of investment protection. If you make regular cleaning, spot cleaning, and pest control a tradition in your house, you are sure to keep your rugs in excellent condition all the time. You can visit the Easter Livingspace Furniture & Decor for more tips or to have a look at our collection of rugs.
How to prevent a rug from sliding on carpet?
A good rug may slip, but you can prevent it by using a rubber- or felt-made non-slip rug pad or by attaching double-sided carpet tape or rug grippers to the rug’s backside.
How do I keep my area rug from rolling up on the carpet?
Using a non-slip rug pad or doubling up with double-sided rug tape is an effective way of keeping your area rug from rolling up or bunching on your carpet.
Why is my carpet bumpy after cleaning?
If a carpet turns out to be bumpy or rippled after cleaning, it is generally moisture absorption and the subsequent enlargement of the carpet backing or fibers that are to be blamed especially if the carpet wasn’t properly dried after cleaning had been done or if the cleaning process was too wet.
How to keep a rug from getting dirty?
To maintain the cleanliness of your carpet and minimize dirt accumulation, make sure that you vacuum it often, clean up any spills immediately, think about applying a rug protector, and put doormats at entryways.
How often should I wash my rug?
Routine cleaning for your carpets is a good habit to pick up if you want them to last for a long time. As for the frequency, these should be cleaned once in 6-12 months or as the need arises due to dirt and traffic. Never let it get too dirty, so vacuum it from time to time, and quickly handle any spills to ensure the long life of your rug.
What happens if you don’t wash your carpets?
Neglecting your carpets without cleaning them can result in low air quality indoors, meetings of an ongoing odor, mold, and stain growth, attacks by pests, premature wearing, and tearing and thus could further worsen the state of your health and decrease the lifespan of your carpets.
How long do you have to wait between carpet cleaning?
Freshly cleaned carpets need to be politely walked away from until they dry out completely, which takes about 6-8 hours. If you have no option but to walk on them, it would be best to walk carefully and try to use foot covers or clean socks.
How long can a rug stay wet?
Rugs should not be kept wet for more than 1-2 days to avoid mold and damage. Be quick to dry them, particularly if they are very wet, because mold can start growing on them in that hour.
Why does my carpet look worse after cleaning?
Your carpet can look worse after cleaning for several reasons, such as the carpet’s age and condition, the use of the incorrect cleaning products or methods, incomplete rinsing, and the carpet not drying properly, which leads to wicking and residue buildup.