Introduction
Do you ever wonder what brings comfort to your home? Is it the television which showcases interesting serials and movies? Is it the couch where you can lie on after a long, hard day at work? The truth is: our house feels like a home because of the various things we associate with it. We may not give our rugs a lot of significance but they are a part of our home and a reason why we feel comfortable, warm and special. They are also majestic proofs of tradition; whether it is rich Kashmiri tapestry or a vibrant dhurrie from Rajasthan.
TIP ONE
The first tip is to vacuum the rug every month. We do not have to vacuum very heavily but with a gentle touch. The vacuum should not have any type of rotational machinery; the rug only needs a touch of suctioning. If it is a very soft silk rug from Srinagar then you must clean it using a soft brush. Some people also shake rugs so that the dust can be removed from it which is a very useful method.
TIP TWO
The second tip is to rotate the rug every six to twelve months. It is very natural that with time the color of the rug fades out and it starts to wear down but rotating the rug can have a magical impact. It sustains the color the rug. One must be extra careful if the rug is under heavy furniture or a huge amount of sunshine.
TIP THREE
The third tip is to take care of the fringes and edges of the rug. If one fringe of the rug is ruined, there is a chance that the entire rug will eventually be damaged. The fringes do not only exist as decorative purpose. If the children in your house have a habit of tugging or pulling the fringes, kindly tell them to not do so. Once in a while, it would be beneficial to take a wide comb and comb the fringes of the rug. If the edges of the rug are starting to fray, put a little amount of weight over it like a stack of magazines.
TIP FOUR
The fourth tip is to have to your rug cleaned by an expert at least once a year. This kind of deep cleaning is necessary to maintain your rug. You should not get it cleaned by a company which uses chemicals or cleans with the help of steam. You must go to a rug specialist who knows to cleanse the rug with gentle dyes and naturally. Your rug is a part of your house so it is significant to take good care of it.
TIP FIVE
The fifth tip is to clean the spills as soon as possible. If your rug is placed in a room where you or your family sits and eats, then there is a high possibility that that water or a drink or any food item can get spilled. If you do not clean it immediately, a mark will remain forever. Therefore, you should blot the area with a clean cloth. You can add a slight quantity of dish soap and water to the cloth and blot the rug once or twice.
TIP SIX
The sixth tip is the easiest but the most essential. Please keep your rug out of harsh sunshine. You should close your curtains when there is the peak amount of sunlight in the afternoon. If you keep your rug near a lot of light, the color of the rug will completely change.
Conclusion
If you take good care of your handwoven rug, you will preserve a wonderful decorative piece of your house so that your future generations may also use it well.
Author
Shreeja Mukherjee