Q&A: Will a rug discolor my floor? How often should I vacuum? What measures should I take to prolong the life of my rug?

Question:

-Anonymous

Response: 

Placing a rug on your hardwood floors will not discolor the floors if you take proper precautions.  It is very important to have a padding underneath your rug, as it's important for both rug and floor to breathe.  In addition, you will want to rotate the rug and padding periodically as outlined below.

In regards to vacuuming or sweeping under the rug, it's a great idea to clean underneath.  However, full cleaning need not be frequent. Proper attention to the rug and pad is as follows:

Full sweep out from under the rug every 3-6 months. If you decide to mop, at least allow a full day for the floor to dry in a normal climate. Every week, however, it is advisable to flip each side and end back 2 feet or so (of both rug and pad) to sweep out dirt and grit around the perimeter. This will help prevent any high abrasives from dulling your floor.

The front of your rug will need some attention as well! Especially if it's an Oriental, which should be vacuumed on the face every week, or as needed.

Every 6-12 months, do a more thorough vacuuming: Vacuum first the back of the rug with a beater vacuum (helps push dirt and abrasives out through face of the rug) then vacuum the front.

To prolong the life of your rug, you'll want to lift and rotate both pad and rug periodically, 180 degrees every 2-5 years to keep traffic patterns even.  It is very important to encourage even wear of your rug to preserve not only it's value but it's appearance as well. I have seen from experience how important it is that rugs be rotated every year.

Also you'll want to stay away from walking on your rug too much with sneakers, don't route wires under the rug (as this will create lumps susceptible to wear) and check for uneven floorboards.  The biggest enemy to an Oriental Rug include dirt, grit and staining.  Be sure to vacuum as necessary, and treat any and all stains immediately.

As a final note, if your floors were recently redone or brand new, they will need at least 30 days to breathe without a rug (also check with your flooring expert). This is very true in the instances of natural wood, and treated wood. For purposes of proper curing, this grace period is essential.
 

-Rug Rag

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For all those interested in submitting a question to the Rug Rag Editors:  We'd be more than happy to help, please send some photographs of the reverse side of the rug very close up with a quarter placed on the knots, plus a picture of the fringe, the whole face of the rug and detail shot of the pile.  If the rug is worn, please include photographs of worn areas.  For rugs of any age, please be sure to check for dry areas, moth damage, odor, and whether or not the rug is straight/has right angles where called for.  If you have any questions about our assessment request feel free to send us an email.  Otherwise, we are looking for something similar to these images posted here. 

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