Top 5 Dos & Don'ts When Buying a New Rug

Thinking of buying a rug? Don't miss our top tips to help you buy a rug that will last!

As the weather gets cooler, rugs are a great way to introduce warmth into your home.
We've been cleaning rugs for 40 years and have learned a thing or two about which rugs represent value in the long-term!

We put together a list of Dos and Don'ts to avoid some of the most common pitfalls we see time and time again.

Dos:

1. Do Choose the Right Material: Opt for materials like wool or synthetic fibers that are durable and easy to clean. These materials are well-suited for high-traffic areas and will maintain their appearance over time.
2. Do Apply a Stain Protector: After purchasing your rug, apply a stain protector to help prevent spills and stains from setting in. This extra layer of protection makes routine cleaning easier and extends the rug's lifespan.
3. Do Measure Your Space: Ensure the rug is the right size for your room. A properly sized rug should fit under the front legs of your furniture or cover a central area, with some floor space visible around the edges.

Don’ts:

1. Don’t Choose Difficult-to-Clean Materials: Avoid rugs made from viscose, art silk, bamboo silk, banana silk, jute, sisal, or coir, as these materials are impossible to clean effectively and get water stained very easily!
2. Don’t Opt for Thick Pile in High-Traffic Areas: While thick pile rugs can be plush and cozy, they are harder to clean and maintain as soil gets trapped beneath the thick pile.
   For high-traffic areas, choose a low or medium pile rug that’s easier to keep clean.

Learn from our experience!

We've heard countless stories from customers who have bought very expensive rugs that ended up being permanently damaged as they were made from viscose or plant-based "silks".  Any kind of moisture destroys the shiny flat surface of these types of fabrics, which causes the individual fibres to lose their lustre, leaving a flat dull patch that cleaning cannot fix. They are also extremely delicate and crush easily under any kind of pressure (including traffic lanes and furniture).

Similarly, jute, sisal, and coir are highly sensitive and susceptible to water marking and cannot be wet cleaned as the fibres will shrink. These rough fibres seem durable and long-lasting but they will mark very easily and these stains cannot be removed.

Hopefully, the above tips will help you pick a rug that you will be able to enjoy for a long time!