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Storing a Rug? Things to Know

A lot of people want to show off their beautiful floors during the summer months and many need to store their area rugs. There are a few rules our Cincinnati clients should think about when it comes to storing a beloved rug:

  1. Be sure the rug is CLEAN before it goes into storage. An unclean rug can attract any bugs or other pests. Ewwwww. Also, removing any dirt and grime before storage helps protect the rug’s fibers.
  2. Be CERTAIN the rug is dry before considering storage. So, you’ve got your area rug all cleaned and ready to store away for the summer. Ask yourself, is this rug COMPLETELY dry? Never store a rug that is damp in any way. This will lead to mold, mildew, odor and unwanted trouble.
  3. Roll or fold? If you have the room, roll the rug. Folding can cause major stress to the rug fibers.
  4. Try to store in a climate controlled storage unit or space.
  5. Do not place items on top of a stored rug. Crushing the rug in this manner can damage the rug’s foundation and lead to cracking and other problems.

If you follow these five tips, when cooler weather arrives and you’re ready to feel a lovely rug under your feet in the mornings instead of a cold floor, you can feel confident that your area rug will be just as nice as when you stored it away.
If you have any questions about cleaning an area rug and getting it ready for proper storage, please contact us at Cincinnati Maintenance.
 
 
 
 

Tips for Storing an Area Rug

Tips for Storing an Area Rug

Lots of people ask me how to store an area rug. Either they want to redecorate and don’t want to get rid of a favorite rug or they are moving and need to temporarily store it away — whatever the reason, there are a few things you should know before you store your rug — whether it’s in an attic, basement or in a storage unit.
Never store away an unclean rug.  Never, ever.
First of all, you don’t want to attract any bugs or pests with an unclean run. Finding a pest infestation in a rug you painstakingly stored is a nightmare.
Be sure to have the rug cleaned to remove all dirt, soil and grime. This not only helps repel any insects but it also saves the rug fibers.
Storing a rug that has been properly cleaned also helps protect against dry rot. The key word here is properly. If you DIY, be sure there is no type soapy residue left in the fibers.
Lastly, please never, ever store a rug that is damp in any way. This will lead to mold, mildew, odor and big trouble.
To roll or not to roll?
Depending on the space you have to store your area rug, you will need to face the decision: to roll or not to roll the rug.
Folding rugs can help save on storage space but can also cause major stress to the rug fibers. If you absolutely have to fold a rug, you can try to minimize the stress by having the rug folded with fibers facing outward which means the foundation will bend a little less.
If you are able, it is a good idea to roll the rug tightly. Again, to lessen the stress on the fragile or antique rugs, try to roll it with the fiber pile on the outside.  Less fragile area rugs can be rolled just fine with the fibers facing in.
Some people choose to wrap the rug in paper, which is fine, but discuss with a specialist which type of paper would be best, because you don’t want paper that bugs really go for. Rolling a rug in plastic is not the optimal choice because it can trap moisture or create moisture through condensation. Sometimes plastic can even cause rugs with any wool content to “sweat” and that creates a bad odors or, worse, the dreaded mold and mildew.
A few extra tips:
If at all possible, store your area rugs in a climate controlled storage unit or space.
Do not place items on top of a stored rug. Crushing the rug in this manner can damage the rug’s foundation and lead to cracking and other problems.
If we at Cincinnati Maintenance can ever answer any questions for you about storing your area rugs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.