Want to keep that gorgeous oriental rug in your home looking great for decades?
Great, because oriental rugs aren’t floor coverings. They’re investments.
Handmade works of art that are designed to last for generations.
Except that… few homeowners realise how the change of seasons can slowly but surely destroy their precious rugs.
The good news? The right seasonal care routine will ensure that rug remains bright, bold and beautiful for many years to come.
Better still, most of these seasonal oriental rug care tips are completely free and super easy to implement.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Spring Cleaning Essentials for Oriental Rugs
- Summer Sun Protection Strategies
- Fall Preparation and Maintenance
- Winter Storage and Care Tips
- When to Call in the Professionals
Contents
Why Seasonal Care Matters for Oriental Rugs
Here’s one thing most rug owners don’t consider…
The changing of seasons brings specific threats that can damage oriental rugs. From UV rays in summer to humidity changes in winter, hazards lurk all year.
With the right maintenance, a high-quality hand-knotted oriental rug can last 50 to 100 years. Ignore seasonal care? Life expectancy plummets.
Imagine dirt as sandpaper for rug fibres. With every footstep across a dusty rug, the particles slowly wear away at the threads. Before long, irreversible damage is done to the rug design and foundation.
Cleaning oriental rugs isn’t just for aesthetic purposes. It’s about protection. Whether the rug needs a deep clean or oriental rug repair, seasonal care is the difference between a rug that lasts a lifetime and one that fades away in years.
Spring Cleaning Essentials for Oriental Rugs
Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to give oriental rugs a thorough refresh. After winter months of indoor foot traffic and heating, rugs accumulate dirt and debris.
Begin with proper vacuuming. But not just any vacuuming…
Flip the rug over and vacuum the backside first with a beater brush. The back texture soaks up grime that regular front-side vacuuming never addresses.
For rugs with long fibres or fringes, deactivate the beater brush before doing the front. Otherwise, damage to the weave is virtually inevitable.
Other spring cleaning tasks include:
- Check for moth damage/larvae (they love wool fibres)
- Spot treat any stains accumulated over winter
- Rotate rug 180 degrees to ensure even wear
- Air the rug outside on a dry overcast day
NEVER sweep an oriental rug. The bristles of a broom can disrupt the hand woven weave pattern and damage fibres permanently.
Summer Sun Protection Strategies
Sunlight, more specifically, ultraviolet radiation, is the biggest threat to oriental rug colours during summer.
In fact, UV radiation causes about 40% of all rug fading. And here’s the scary part. Even one hour of direct sunlight exposure each day can cause noticeable fading within a year.
Persian and oriental rugs often use natural vegetable dyes. While beautiful, natural dyes are more vulnerable to sun damage than synthetic dyes.
Here are some things you can do to protect rugs during summer:
- Position rugs to avoid direct sunlight exposure
- Install UV-blocking window films/treatments
- Use blackout curtains/blinds during peak sun hours
- Consider Low-E glass windows which block about 95% of UV
Furniture placement also plays a strategic role. A well-placed couch or chair can shade parts of the rug during peak sun. Also, remember to rotate rugs more frequently during summer to ensure even sun exposure.
Fall Preparation and Maintenance
Fall is all about preparing for the upcoming season.
Before the start of the busy indoor season, give oriental rugs one last thorough cleaning to remove summer dust and prepare fibres for increased foot traffic during winter.
Inspect for any summer damage. Look for faded patches, loose threads, worn out pile areas, etc. Small issues now become bigger problems later.
Fall maintenance checklist:
- Deep vacuum both sides of the rug
- Inspect fringes for unravelling/damage
- Check for colour bleeding/dye migration
- Ensure rug padding is still in good condition
- Schedule professional cleaning if necessary
Rug padding deserves extra attention. Firm padding protects against wear, tear and slippage. It also enables more effective vacuuming.
If rugs haven’t received professional cleaning in the past two years, fall is the ideal time to schedule that service.
Winter Storage and Care Tips
Winter is all about humidity issues which can wreak havoc on oriental rugs.
Moisture is the enemy of textiles. A damp rug creates a perfect environment for mould and mildew. It can even shrink the rug.
Keep oriental rugs far away from humid areas during winter. Bathrooms, basements, rooms with poor ventilation are all danger zones.
For rugs that will be stored during winter:
- Clean thoroughly before storage
- Roll rug tightly (never fold) to avoid creases
- Wrap in breathable cotton sheets/muslin fabric
- Store in a cool dry location
- Never use plastic wrapping that traps moisture
Indoor heating also creates winter challenges. Dry air from indoor heating systems can make rug fibres brittle over time. Use a humidifier to maintain an optimum balance.
Rotate rugs at least quarterly during winter months. Furniture creates pressure points that can permanently indent fibres if they stay in one position too long.
When to Call in the Professionals
Some oriental rug cleaning tasks are best left to professionals.
Professional rug cleaners have specialised techniques and know-how household methods cannot replicate. From how different dyes react to various cleaning solutions to specific fibres, professionals know.
Signs it’s time to call in the professionals:
- Deep-set stains that resist spot cleaning
- Persistent musty odours despite airing
- Visible moth damage/infestations
- Fringe unravelling/severe wear patterns
- Rugs not professionally cleaned in over two years
For households with kids or pets, professional cleaning every six months is ideal. Otherwise, once a year is a perfect frequency to maintain rug condition.
Wrapping It Up
Seasonal care for oriental rugs doesn’t have to be difficult.
It’s as simple as understanding the threats each season presents and taking simple preventive measures. Spring cleaning removes winter build-up. Summer protection prevents UV damage. Fall preparation prepares rugs for heavy indoor use. Winter care prevents moisture damage.
To summarise:
- Vacuum regularly using proper technique
- Rotate rugs quarterly for even wear
- Protect against direct sunlight exposure
- Control humidity levels year-round
- Schedule professional cleaning when necessary
A well-maintained oriental rug is not just a floor covering. It’s a family heirloom that can be passed down for generations. Start with implementing these simple seasonal oriental rug care tips today and watch that oriental rug thrive for decades to come.
