Whether you’re packing up to move to another place or simply have one too many carpets and rugs lying around your house, there comes a time when you need to store away these decorative floor pieces until you’re ready to reintroduce them to your home!
The tricky part here is that all carpets and rugs don’t look the same after they’ve been stored away for a long (or sometimes, short) period of time.
That’s because there is a proper way to go about storing of carpets and rugs that not all homeowners are familiar with.
To ensure that your vibrant carpets or priceless rugs remain in perfect condition when packing or storing them, there are a couple of must-dos to follow! It may take a bit of time and effort to carry out;
however, it’s a rather small inconvenience to bear when it means protecting those beloved carpets and rugs! Read on.
Step 1: Vacuum, of Course!
Although it goes without saying, we feel the need to mention it! Vacuuming of carpets/rugs is a MUST for proper storage. This is because any dust and dirt among the fibres will settle in and dull the material overtime. Even worse, the presence of dust mites, flea eggs or beetle larvae will multiply and begin to eat into the fabric. Apart from this, when carpets and rugs are stored or in transit for a long time, they start to smell mustier than usual. Hence, we advise thorough vacuuming on both sides of the carpet/rug until you are satisfied with the removal of dust and dirt.
Step 2: Scrub with a Mild Cleanser
Using a very mild solution of carpet cleaner or a homemade solution of white distilled vinegar (half cup), water (2 cups) and 2-3 drops of essential oil for fragrance, gently scrub the fibres to remove any light stains and dullness. For this, a soft-bristled carpet brush or non-abrasive scrubber is advised. Dip your cleaning tool in the solution and remove excess water before you start scrubbing the carpet/rug to avoid soaking the material.
Step 3: Dry in Indirect Sunlight
In order to dry the material properly and safely, indirect sunlight is highly recommended. This will help kill any bacteria present and dry the fabric quickly without fading (something that is caused by direct sunlight). We also advise drying carpets and rugs inside the house where there is a source of indirect sunlight as opposed to hanging them outside. Regardless of how clean you believe the air outside your house is, think again! There are microscopic air pollutants floating around that will settle and cling to damp material so it’s best not to expose your freshly cleaned carpets and rugs to them!
Step 4: Apply an Insect-Proof Treatment
Moths and creepy crawlies find their way to stored carpets where they make a warm, comfortable home for themselves. While moths make more of a mess than anything else, it’s the beetles that can cause damage. Hence, a treatment of some sort is advised. There are many commercial products you can apply to your rugs and carpets to keep them pest-free while stored or packed. The instructions are simple to follow, however, it may require some sitting time so be sure to plan ahead.
Step 5: Roll Them up
Avoid folding carpets and rugs as they leave unsightly creases that are harder to remove than one would think. For a damage-free rolling technique, consider wrapping the carpet/rug around an old water pipe to keep the fabric from getting squashed or collapsing. Ask your plumber where you can get your hands on some old pipes or simply purchase some new ones from a hardware store (they don’t cost much).
Step 6: Wrap in Breathable Material
Before you store or place your rolled up carpets and rugs in a moving van, there is one last step to protect them from dust and dirt. Choose a porous material (like an old bed sheet) that will keep dust and dirt off the carpets and rugs while allowing them to breathe. This is important as humid conditions will make the fabric sweat, especially if wrapped in polythene. Make sure that the carpets/rugs are wrapped securely for all-round protection.
When it’s time to pull out your carpets and rugs again, you can rest assured that they will look just as awesome as they always did!
For more amazing tips from our local carpet cleaning technicians visit our blog, our last post was 5 effective ways to maintain clean carpet.
