Rugs add accent and interest to your home, and at the end of the day, they’re really just a smaller version of your carpet- right?

Wrong!

So, what’s the difference, and why does it matter when it comes to care and cleaning?

Density

Rugs are usually made with a very dense pile to withstand a lot of traffic, which leads to wear and tear. The

Vacuuming is a constant chore but helps protect your carpets from damage due to dust.

density makes a great place for dirt and other outside nastiness to get caught, and because of the construction, a vacuum cleaner won’t be able to pull out much of it from between the fibers. This is why you will see people hanging up their rugs and beating them to shake the dirt loose, but these days, you can trust a professional cleaner to do the work for you!

Delicacy

Carpets are a straightforward, single piece- all one fabric. Rugs can often come with extra concerns, like delicate fringe and other decorative details that need to be carefully managed so they maintain their look for as long as possible. Area rugs with intricate patterns can also “bleed” if cleaned incorrectly- the dyes from one area of a rug can run into another area, turning your piece of art into a muddled mess! To prevent bleeding or fading, it’s important to always use not only the right cleaning products, but the right methods.

Cleaning wool rugs is delicate business.

Another factor in some rugs that is not present in carpets is a process called “antiquing,” a series of acidic washes or dyes that make a rug appear more antique and vintage- and also more expensive. Not all rugs undergo this process, but cleaning them can potentially remove the tea staining, which is the dye used to make a rug look older. If this happens, you can still re-apply that stain after the cleaning is finished!

The bottom line

There are many different types of rugs, just as there are different types of carpet, and no two of them will need the exact same treatment. This is why you shouldn’t trust just any carpet cleaner to take care of your rugs as well- they need proper training in how to handle them and keep them looking their best

Keeping valuable rugs clean prolongs their life.

. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when interviewing a potential company! They should be able to provide you with answers and reassurance so you know your rugs are getting the best care possible and won’t end up damaged or worn down.

If you have questions about your rugs or need to find someone you can trust to handle the job, please give us a call here at All-Star Chemdry. We’d love to chat with you and make sure you’re getting exactly what you need to keep your rugs beautiful for years to come!