How To Properly Store Your Rug

Posted by Admin

January 19, 2017 03:35:56pm

Need to store your Oriental rug?  Here’s how to do so properly in order to protect your investment and make sure that when it comes out of storage it’s ready to enjoy!

Clean – First and foremost, have your rug professionally cleaned.  If the rug is not thoroughly cleaned prior to storing, it will be highly susceptible to moth infestations.  Any larvae that may be hidden in the rug fibers need to be removed during cleaning, or else they will go into storage with the rug where they’ll be able to feast on its fibers in the dark, unbeknownst to you.  Even if your rug is larvae-free, the soils, dust, and contaminants that are present need to be removed.  Otherwise, they’ll remain compacted in the rug’s fibers, etching into the fibers, and may even dry out the cotton foundation threads of the rug, causing dry rot.  Simply put, it’s critically important to have your rug deep cleaned by a highly rated professional rug cleaning company before your rug is put into storage.  (Sidenote: A great professional rug cleaner will also perform most of the subsequent steps as part of most standard cleaning packages, so your life just got easier!)

Apply Moth Repellant – Have a moth repellant applied to your rug.  As part of the cleaning process, a good rug washing company will offer moth repellant, and since moths and their larvae thrive in the conditions that most storage facilities are known for, it’s best to take the precautions you can for your rug.

Dry – Make sure your rug is completely dry.  Any residual moisture left behind from cleaning could allow mildew and mold to grow, and otherwise wreak havoc on your rug while it sits in storage.  All great rug cleaning professionals know the importance of allowing a rug to dry thoroughly after cleaning.  Dedicated “drying towers,” “float tables,” and other rug cleaning equipment is designed specifically for this purpose.  

Roll – Once the rug is completely dry, roll it.  Do not fold your rug for storage, unless absolutely necessary.  The creases created by folding would be extremely to remove, and impossible to remove in some cases.  The only time you would want to fold the rug is if it’s extremely large, in which case you could fold it once, lengthwise, with pile facing out (which allows the foundation fibers to bend less), and then roll the folded rug.  Roll the rug from the end up, and in the direction of the pile.  In this way, though you won’t be able to roll the rug as tightly as you may want, the pile will be protected from crush marks and better protected in the long run.  

Wrap – Wrap the rug in order to protect it from dust.  Always roll your rug in paper, which allows the rug to breathe, and never in plastic.  If a rug (particularly a wool rug) is wrapped in plastic, even the tiniest amount of moisture will get trapped, causing mildew and mold to grow.  

Find the Right Spot – After cleaning, drying, rolling, and wrapping, the last step is to find the perfect spot for the rug in storage.  If you simply lay the wrapped rug on cold, damp cement floor, all prior work will be in vain, as the rug will surely become damaged by the cool, moist flooring.  Instead, store the rug on storage rack, off of the ground and away from any windows.  Do not stack heavy items on your rolled rug, and don’t prop it up next to any other items in the storage location that may spill, burst, or otherwise cause damage to your rug.

Check on Your Rug – If your rug is to be stored long term, check on it at least annually.  Make sure the packaging is secure and has not become torn, look for signs of mice, bugs, and other pests, and check for flooding or even high moisture content in the air.  

RugPro Oriental Rug Cleaning is the best rug cleaning company Jacksonville FL rug lovers trust with their treasured rugs.  We specialize in deep cleaning fine Oriental rugs by hand.  Hand washing a rug is the best and most trusted way to get a rug thoroughly clean in order to maintain it, protect it, and prolong its life, whether you’re going to unroll it back in your living room, or store it safely.  Northeast Florida homeowners in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, Atlantic Beach, and Riverside trust us with their heirloom rugs, knowing that with RugPro, they get the absolute best care for their rugs.  Let us provide the same for you!