Properly caring for your rug can help maintain its beauty for many years to come. By following these simple care guidelines, you can keep your rug looking its best. First and foremost, always check the care instructions provided with your rug for any special directions. Rug construction and material will determine how to best clean each piece.

For day-to-day care, vacuum your rugs regularly to remove dirt and dust. This preventative cleaning can help preserve your rug from wearing out. Always check your vacuum’s settings and adjust according to the height of the rug, and do not vacuum over rug fringe. If small enough, you can also take your rug outside to shake off exccess grime.

Turn your rugs once a year. This helps even wear from foot traffic and fading from sunlight.

For spills and stains you should address the problem immediately. Use a dry cloth to blot up any access liquid. If necessary, use a cleaning solution, but make sure you test it first on an inconspicuous spot on the rug to make sure it doesn’t cause color fading. Again, look for any special instructions on the product care label before treating the rug at home or professionally.

Smaller rugs known as accent, runners or mats are often machine washable. These easy care rugs will often have a latex backing and can either be laid out flat to dry or put on a tumble-dry low setting in your dryer. Larger area rugs usually require spot treatment with air drying or professional cleaning.