Placing oriental rugs is probably the easiest way to alter interior design and it gives great overall effects to the atmosphere. Floor-covering gives many good things in terms of comfort and aesthetic, but it can be very difficult to maintain the rug’s good-looking and cleanliness, especially during winter months. With children and pets running around in and out the house, the rugs are perfect place for dirt, snow, and even mud to accumulate. Of course, you can avoid it all easily with proper yet simple preparations before winter comes as listed below.
1. Use thick welcome mats in front of the door
This is a very simple, inexpensive, instant way to stop dirt from entering your house. Good quality mat is not merely for decoration or accessory. It is the first thing that defends your house and rugs from accumulation of dirt. All kinds of dirt including coal tar, pesticides, fleas, pollens, and water can attach to shoes or slippers, but a good quality mat absorbs most of the moisture and soil even before someone steps through the door. A mat absorbs most of the dirt, so you don’t have to clean your rugs very often.
2. Leave your shoes by the door
A better way to keep your rugs clean is to remove the shoes before you enter the house. In many places in Asia and Europe, this is actually customary practice. Sometimes, a guess also uses a different type of slippers prepared by the host when walking indoor. It is not practical indeed, but certainly an effective way to prevent dirt and moisture from making contact with a rug.
Oriental rugs come at a price, so you will not want everything to ruin their beautiful details. If you take cleanliness very seriously, it is actually a good idea to build a mud room where you can keep boots, jackets, and even hats even before you step on your precious rugs. A mud room does not have to be luxurious; it can be simple minimalistic room filled storage cabinets and probably some chairs and a table.
3. Vacuum regularly
All the aforementioned tips are good to prevent most of the moisture and dirt from accumulating on your oriental rug. However, it is almost impossible to make sure that microscopic dusts or mites are not piling up on it. To prevent fiber damages, make time to vacuum the rugs regularly; it is good not only for cleanliness and aesthetic, but also for health.