A quality rug is an investment. The difference between a rug that looks tired after five years and one that looks better after fifteen is almost entirely care and maintenance. The good news: it's not complicated. Here's everything you need to know to keep your rug in excellent condition for decades.
Vacuuming — The Most Important Habit
Regular vacuuming is the single most important thing you can do for your rug. Dirt that sits on the surface is relatively harmless. Dirt that works its way into the pile abrades the fibres from the inside with every footstep, gradually cutting the pile and wearing the rug from within.
How often: High-traffic rugs (lounge, entrance) should be vacuumed twice a week. Lower-traffic rugs (bedroom, study) once a week is sufficient.
How to vacuum correctly: Vacuum in the direction of the pile, not against it. For thick shaggy rugs, use the upholstery attachment rather than the beater bar, which can pull and damage long fibres. For flatweave and low-pile rugs, a standard floor setting works well.
What not to do: Don't vacuum the fringe on Persian rugs with the main vacuum head — this pulls and eventually damages the fringe. Vacuum carefully around the edges or flick the fringe gently by hand.
Rotating Your Rug
Rotate your rug 180 degrees every 6–12 months. This ensures even wear across the entire surface. Without rotation, the areas with the most foot traffic wear noticeably faster, creating an uneven appearance over time. It also ensures even exposure to natural light, preventing one section from fading faster than another.
Dealing With Spills Immediately
Speed is everything with spills. The faster you act, the less likely a spill becomes a permanent stain.
The correct method:
- Blot immediately — never rub. Rubbing spreads the spill and works it deeper into the pile
- Work from the outside of the spill inward — this prevents spreading
- Use a clean white cloth or paper towel
- For liquid spills, absorb as much as possible before applying any cleaning solution
- For solid spills, scrape up as much as possible with a blunt knife or spoon before treating
Cleaning solutions by spill type:
Water-based spills (wine, juice, coffee, tea): Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of cold water. Apply sparingly with a clean cloth, blotting repeatedly. Follow with cold clean water to rinse, then blot dry.
Oil-based spills (food, butter, makeup): Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the spill and leave for 15 minutes to absorb the oil. Vacuum up, then treat the residue with a small amount of dish soap solution as above.
Pet accidents: Blot up as much as possible, then apply a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. The vinegar neutralises the ammonia in urine. Blot dry, then sprinkle baking soda to absorb odour. Vacuum after 30 minutes. For persistent odour or large accidents, professional cleaning is advisable.
What to avoid: Hot water (sets stains), bleach (damages fibres and causes colour loss), excessive water (can cause shrinkage or mould), rubbing (spreads and embeds the stain).
Rug Pads — Non-Negotiable
A rug pad under your rug does three things: it prevents the rug from slipping (a safety issue, particularly for elderly family members), it protects the floor beneath, and it provides additional cushioning that makes the rug feel more luxurious underfoot.
Rug pads also extend the life of your rug significantly by reducing the friction between the rug and the hard floor surface beneath. Without a pad, every footstep grinds the rug against the floor. With a pad, the rug moves slightly with foot traffic rather than being abraded against a hard surface.
Use a pad that is slightly smaller than your rug — about 2–3cm smaller on each side — so the pad is invisible from all angles.
Sunlight and Fading
Direct sunlight causes colour fading in all rugs, but natural-fibre rugs (wool, cotton, silk) are particularly vulnerable. South African sunlight is intense — a rug in direct sun through a glass window can show noticeable fading within a year.
Solutions: Rotate the rug regularly so any fading occurs evenly. Use UV-filtering window treatments. Or position the rug away from the most direct sun exposure if possible.
Polypropylene rugs are the most fade-resistant, making them the best choice for rooms with significant sun exposure.
Professional Cleaning
Even with excellent home maintenance, all rugs benefit from professional cleaning every 2–3 years. Professional cleaning removes the deep-down dirt that vacuuming can't reach, refreshes the pile, and restores the rug's original lustre.
Signs your rug needs professional cleaning: it looks dull even after vacuuming, there's a persistent odour, or it hasn't been professionally cleaned in more than three years.
When choosing a professional cleaner in South Africa, look for one that uses a wet wash process rather than dry cleaning — wet washing is more thorough for most rug types. Ask specifically whether they have experience with the type of rug you have (Persian rugs and shaggy rugs require different techniques).
Storage
If you need to store a rug, clean it thoroughly first — dirt in storage leads to permanent staining and attracts moths. Roll it rather than folding (folding creates permanent creases). Wrap in breathable material like cotton sheeting — never plastic, which traps moisture and causes mould. Store flat or on its end in a cool, dry location.
Specific Care by Rug Type
Shaggy rugs: Vacuum with upholstery attachment. Shake out regularly outside to dislodge debris. Fluff the pile by hand or with a soft brush after vacuuming.
Persian and Oriental rugs: Vacuum in pile direction only. Avoid beater bars. Professional cleaning every 2–3 years. Keep out of direct sunlight. Repair any loose knots immediately before they spread.
Flatweave rugs: Reversible — flip occasionally for even wear. Vacuum both sides regularly. Very easy to spot clean.
Outdoor rugs: Can be hosed down and left to dry in the sun. Bring inside during extended rain periods to prevent mould under the rug.
Need Advice?
If you have a specific care question or a stain you're not sure how to treat, contact us — we offer free advice on any rug, whether you bought it from us or not. We'd rather help you save your rug than see a beautiful piece ruined by the wrong treatment.
Browse our full collection at rugsoriginal.co.za — and don't forget our Winter Sale is currently on with up to 50% off selected rugs.
Rugs Original has been South Africa's leading rug retailer since 1984. Free advice on any purchase. Free delivery on orders over R1,500.
