Oriental rugs bring an elegant and international flair to your rooms. Its Handicraft has a beautiful collection of handcrafted oriental rugs that will make your interiors fresh, elegant and vibrant. Their workmanship, designs and patterns are second to none. The refinement, utility and charm which oriental rugs brings cannot be had by normal rugs. So, it is important to care and maintain these unique pieces of art.

You can use the following methods to keep your rug looking beautiful even after years of use and increase its life.

• Vacuum carefully: Vacuuming rugs is an important part of their maintenance. Oriental rugs should be vacuumed quite regularly so that their natural fibers do not become compact due to regular use or traffic on them. Oriental rugs have delicate fibers, so avoiding the beater brush or power brush is recommended so that these fibers do not get torn or damaged. If the rug is a woolen one, then vacuum the back of the rug by rotating brush or beating bar. Then vacuum gently by turning it over. The beating bar or rotating brush can be used on both sides in other types of rugs. The fringes should not be vacuumed.

• Use hand brush: Pet hairs, dirt, dust etc. in rugs are quite common. Even after vacuuming a considerable percentage of these tend to stick in the rug. In such cases, it is best to clean the rug thoroughly by hand brush.

• Keep rotating: Rotating the rugs is essential to ensure that the rug develops even wear and tear and maintain the consistency and keep the original look and value of the rug as best as possible. It is best if the rug is rotated every three to four months. Also avoid folding the rugs, roll them when needed.

• Spin the rug: Fringes are a very common element of oriental rugs. But they easily get tangled and coiled. Using a comb to remove them is not recommended as combing might damage the delicate natural fibers of the rug. Spinning and flipping the rugs end over end is better so that the tangles get straightened more softly and naturally.

• Use rug padding: Using anti slip rug underlay or rug padding is very essential. It helps the rugs from wear and tear to a good extent. Rug padding helps hold the rug in place and not develop wrinkles or skid on the floor which can easily lead to accidents. Also rugs become softer and more comfortable.

• Avoid sunlight: Too much or prolonged contact with direct sunlight can cause the rugs to fade quickly. So, it is better if rugs are placed in areas which get least amount of direct sunlight. If this is unavoidable, at least rotate the rug once in two or three months so that the fading is consistent.

• Instant cleaning: Stains and spills should be removed immediately. It is quite normal for things like beverages, sauce, food, colors etc. to spill on the rug. When this happens, the area must not be rubbed. 100% cotton cloth should be used to clean the stain by blotting. Never apply any spot remover directly to the area. Take it in a cotton cloth or cotton and blot with it. After that the area should be dried forthwith.

• Special cleaning: Rugs should be cleaned at least once a month by special rug shampoos. Taking a mixture of one part of white vinegar and three parts of water in a cotton cloth and blotting the rug with it is an effective way to counteract pet odors.

• Let it dry in sunlight: Moisture, mildew and mold might form in the rug over time. To stop such growth and reduce various odors, spread out or hang the rug out in the sun in every four to five months for a few hours. Same can be done anytime and everytime the rug becomes damp or contacts moisture either accidentally or deliberately.

• Expert cleaning: Even after regular cleaning and maintenance, oriental rugs should be taken to the professional rug cleaners for perfect cleaning and care at regular intervals.

Try out these tips and get the best performance out of your oriental rugs.