An In-Depth Guide to Storing Your Rug
When you buy a new rug all you want to do is display it proudly. It’s more than just decoration – it’s an investment in yourself, your family, and your home. Sometimes, however, life gets in the way and you might have to temporarily put your rug in storage.
If you are not careful to properly store your rug, you might take it out of storage and find that it is moth eaten, that the color has bled, or that it has been creased. Whether for just a short period or for many years at time, it’s important to protect your investment while it spends time in storage. Here are some helpful tips we recommend to make sure your rugs stay in perfect condition.
Preparing Your Rug
Before you even put the rug away, it’s important that you inspect it thoroughly for any damage prior. Look for loose threads, stains, or tears. It’s best to address these concerns before placing the rug in storage so they don’t get worse while it’s tucked away.
It’s also a great idea to get your rug professionally cleaned beforehand. Dirt and other debris can cause damage even while the rug is just simply sitting in storage.You can bring it in to Azari Rug Gallery and we would be happy to help prepare your rug for its time out of the spotlight by cleaning and/or restoring it!
Once your rug is clean and pristine, it’s time to assume the position! Your rugs should always be rolled, never folded. Folding will cause creases that will be difficult or impossible to remove. To roll your rug up safely follow these steps:
-Lay your rug on a clean, flat surface.
-Cover your rug in acid free paper. This can help prevent color bleed and friction that might otherwise cause damage to the fabric.
-Slowly roll your rug with the pile (soft side) inward.
-Secure your rug with soft ties. Do not use rubber bands or other harsh materials that are likely to cause creases or other damage.
When rolling your rug, it might be tempting to wrap it in plastic to keep it free from dust and pests; however, this is not recommended. Plastic wrap can cause “sweat,” or moisture, as a result of temperature changes, causing color transfer and mold. If you want to wrap it, do so in paper (such as Tyvek) to keep it safe from pests and moisture.
Choosing Your Storage
Once your rug is all prepped and ready to be stored, it’s time to think about where and how it will actually be put away. The first thing to consider is temperature: you want to make sure you choose a temperature-controlled area as excess heat, cold, or temperature fluctuations can affect the quality of your rug. Avoid any place that is humid or prone to pests, such as unfinished basements or attics. You can store your rug alongside cedar chips or mothballs to keep any pesky creatures at bay.
It’s also best to store your rug off of the ground. We recommend getting palettes or other shelving to allow your rug to breathe and keep it away from pests, floods, or other potential hazards. You want to keep your rug out of the sunlight; avoiding UV rays can help to prevent color fading. Avoid setting anything on top of the rug so you don’t end up with strange creases.
During Storage
It is absolutely essential to check in on your rug periodically if you are storing it for an extended period of time. We recommend checking on it at least every few months, looking for any damage that may have been caused by accidental moisture, pests, debris, or sunlight. It’s easier to address concerns as they come up than it is to do a major restoration when you are ready to take your rug back out.
After Storage
When you are finally ready to pull your rug back into the limelight, you will want to get it cleaned just one final time. Once again, Azari Rug Gallery is the perfect place to do such a thing – we would be happy to remove any dust or fix any damage that may have occurred while your rug was tucked away. Come pay us a visit and we will help make the process of storing your rug as safe and smooth as possible!
Go Back If you are not careful to properly store your rug, you might take it out of storage and find that it is moth eaten, that the color has bled, or that it has been creased. Whether for just a short period or for many years at time, it’s important to protect your investment while it spends time in storage. Here are some helpful tips we recommend to make sure your rugs stay in perfect condition.
Preparing Your Rug
Before you even put the rug away, it’s important that you inspect it thoroughly for any damage prior. Look for loose threads, stains, or tears. It’s best to address these concerns before placing the rug in storage so they don’t get worse while it’s tucked away.
It’s also a great idea to get your rug professionally cleaned beforehand. Dirt and other debris can cause damage even while the rug is just simply sitting in storage.You can bring it in to Azari Rug Gallery and we would be happy to help prepare your rug for its time out of the spotlight by cleaning and/or restoring it!
Once your rug is clean and pristine, it’s time to assume the position! Your rugs should always be rolled, never folded. Folding will cause creases that will be difficult or impossible to remove. To roll your rug up safely follow these steps:
-Lay your rug on a clean, flat surface.
-Cover your rug in acid free paper. This can help prevent color bleed and friction that might otherwise cause damage to the fabric.
-Slowly roll your rug with the pile (soft side) inward.
-Secure your rug with soft ties. Do not use rubber bands or other harsh materials that are likely to cause creases or other damage.
When rolling your rug, it might be tempting to wrap it in plastic to keep it free from dust and pests; however, this is not recommended. Plastic wrap can cause “sweat,” or moisture, as a result of temperature changes, causing color transfer and mold. If you want to wrap it, do so in paper (such as Tyvek) to keep it safe from pests and moisture.
Choosing Your Storage
Once your rug is all prepped and ready to be stored, it’s time to think about where and how it will actually be put away. The first thing to consider is temperature: you want to make sure you choose a temperature-controlled area as excess heat, cold, or temperature fluctuations can affect the quality of your rug. Avoid any place that is humid or prone to pests, such as unfinished basements or attics. You can store your rug alongside cedar chips or mothballs to keep any pesky creatures at bay.
It’s also best to store your rug off of the ground. We recommend getting palettes or other shelving to allow your rug to breathe and keep it away from pests, floods, or other potential hazards. You want to keep your rug out of the sunlight; avoiding UV rays can help to prevent color fading. Avoid setting anything on top of the rug so you don’t end up with strange creases.
During Storage
It is absolutely essential to check in on your rug periodically if you are storing it for an extended period of time. We recommend checking on it at least every few months, looking for any damage that may have been caused by accidental moisture, pests, debris, or sunlight. It’s easier to address concerns as they come up than it is to do a major restoration when you are ready to take your rug back out.
After Storage
When you are finally ready to pull your rug back into the limelight, you will want to get it cleaned just one final time. Once again, Azari Rug Gallery is the perfect place to do such a thing – we would be happy to remove any dust or fix any damage that may have occurred while your rug was tucked away. Come pay us a visit and we will help make the process of storing your rug as safe and smooth as possible!
