How to Properly Store Your Area Rugs – Prescott Valley AZ
Are you getting ready to move and aren’t sure if you’ll be using your rug at the new house? Or maybe you need a little change in décor and are considering putting another rug down but don’t necessarily want to get rid of the rug you have currently. These are just two of the many reasons people need to store their rug either temporarily or long term.
I’m Ruthie with Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care and I’m going to share with you a few tips (and a few no-nos) to help keep your rugs safe while being stored.
First of all, don’t make the mistake of simply rolling your rug up and shoving it under your bed or in a closet to be forgotten about. I can guarantee that moths are on the lookout for this exact scenario. Moths look for two things when it comes to finding a place to lay their eggs (which then hatch into little wool-eating maniacs) – a food source (wool!) and a home that is dark and quiet where they will be left undisturbed. In other words, they need your wool rug to be under your bed or stuffed in your closet, totally unprotected!
At Arizona Oriental, we can assist you in preserving your rugs for times you need to store them. Having us clean them and remove soil, spills, etc. is the first step. Many spills are protein based and protein is a food source that moths are looking for. So don’t give them even more of a reason to nibble on your rug!
Secondly, have us moth treat your rugs. Our moth treatment is odorless and invisible, but it definitely gives the moths the message that you do not want them near your rugs! This special, wool (and silk) safe treatment adds a very distasteful layer to the rug fibers that send the moths off in another direction entirely.
The third proactive thing to do is to wrap the rug in a breathable wrap that allows the wool to breathe while keeping unwanted critters out. NEVER EVER wrap rugs in plastic because wool holds moisture and when sealing it in plastic and not allowing the wool to breathe can create big problems for your rug’s foundation and face fibers.
All of the above services are available to you here at Arizona Oriental! My Ruggies and I are more than happy to assist you with the proper care for your beloved rugs.
One last thing – NEVER fold a rug for extended periods of time! RUGS SHOULD ALWAYS BE ROLLED! I have seen folded rugs that came out of an attic with severe damage to the face fibers (kind of like when we sleep too long on one side of our face) that may not be correctable. The folds also tend to stretch out the rug’s foundation, which can ripple the rug to the point that it will never lay flat again.
Till next time, enjoy your beautiful art for your floor and remember a clean rug is a rug that can last you a lifetime!
Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care serves Prescott Valley, Prescott, Sedona, and much of the Northern Arizona areas. We meet the highest standards in professional cleaning of area rugs with rug wash specialists having earned the highest training, including certification as WOOLSAFE FIBRE CARE SPECIALISTS through the WOOLSAFE ORGANISATION. Such extraordinary certification ensures the area rugs of our client’s receive the utmost in care.
Call us for additional information or assistance with properly preparing fine area rugs for storage at 928-445-1718, visit our website at www.ArizonaOriental.com, or stop by Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at our rug washing facility at 565 EZ Street, Prescott, AZ 86301 (pick-up and delivery also available). (01-12-17)
