CARE TIPS TO KEEP RUGS LOOKING GOOD

When you invest in a beautiful area rug, you want it to last.

Thankfully, quality rugs are often well-made tapestries that can last for decades — but that doesn’t mean they don’t require a little tender love and care.

“One of the beautiful things about owning a good-quality area rug is that they are made to last a lifetime and require very little maintenance,” says Nasim Qasemali, the founder of Ariana Artisan Rugs in Langley. “But there are a few things you can do to increase your rug’s life.”

The first step to ensure your rug endures the wearand-tear of a high-traffic household, according to Qasemali, is to opt for a rug in the right fibre for your new floor decor — one that matches your needs and your budget.

“Silk is the strongest fibre,” he says. “If you make a rope using pure silk, it will be stronger than steel, so you can imagine how durable silk is. But, having said that, the cost of a silk rug is triple that of a wool rug.”

Natural wool, he says, is the second strongest fibre — and a much more affordable option in comparison.

“A wool rug is durable, easy to wash and can last hundreds of years,” he says.

Consider the room in which your rug is placed, because your rug needs a little air.

“Make sure your area rug is in a well-ventilated room,” Qasemali advises. “As wool is a natural fibre, it needs to breathe.”

Beyond that, he says, a good-quality rug requires “minimum maintenance.”

When vacuuming your rug, be sure to avoid using the roller brush head and opt instead for an attachment that’s less likely to pull, catch or tear the fibres.

“You can occasionally vacuum your rug using the suction hose of the vacuum,” Qasemali says.

“And give a good professional wash every two to three years, or when necessary.”

Easy as that.