Maintaining Clean Area Rugs in High Traffic Areas

Many people choose to cover high-traffic areas of their carpet with area rugs to protect the appearance of their carpeting and preserve its integrity. However, how do you protect those rugs from wear and tear while they are doing their job? While it may seem like an impossible task, there are some effective ways to keep your rugs looking their best and ensure they stand the test of time. With the proper care and attention, you can even maintain clean area rugs in high-traffic spaces.

Your Plan for Keeping Area Rugs Clean

Clean area rugs can do so much more than extend the lifespan of your carpeting and protect that precious investment. They can also be used in areas with hard flooring to provide the warmth, comfort, and sound-muting effects of carpet without the expenditure of having wall-to-wall carpeting installed. 

Furthermore, area rugs bring a splash of color to your home and change the overall look and feel of just about any space instantly. Whether you use rugs to make your decor choices more cohesive or to boost the coziness of a certain room, these pieces need to be cared for properly to ensure they’re able to do the hard work you demand of them.

For best results and consistently clean area rugs, we recommend taking these steps:

Choose the Right Materials

There is more to choosing a rug than picking one with a stunning color or plush texture. You also want to select a material that is known to be durable and long lasting. 

This is particularly important for high-traffic areas. In these areas, the type of rug you choose can make a huge difference in how long it will last before it must be replaced. Nylon and wool carpets are great choices for area rugs. They are made from high-performing materials that withstand a lot of wear and tear. 

Plan Ahead

One of the best ways to protect your rugs is to reduce the amount of dirt and moisture that enters the home. Using walk-off mats or welcome mats in your entryways will help eliminate much of the dirt that would otherwise get tracked in on your shoes or the shoes of your guests. This simple precautionary method is an effective way to keep your rugs clean and minimize the potential for spots and odors to arise. To give your rug even greater protection, you may want to try removing your shoes at the front door and instituting a “no shoes policy” for your household. 

Vacuum Often

Frequent vacuuming is an essential part of caring for your rugs, especially in high-traffic areas. A proper vacuuming routine will help remove dirt before it has the chance to settle into the rug’s fibers, where it is much harder to reach. 
The more traffic an area endures, the more often it should be vacuumed. In some cases, this may even mean vacuuming daily to keep dirt and soil to a minimum. 

Take Immediate Action

Areas that are subject to a lot of traffic are also more likely to fall victim to spills and accidents. If a spill does occur, be sure to take immediate action to absorb the offending liquid with a white cloth or paper towel. 

As a rule, always dab, never rub or scrub, in your attempt to clean area rugs. The faster you absorb the liquid, the less will be able to set in and form a stain. For stains resulting from particularly color-saturated liquids, your best bet is to call on a professional rug cleaning company for stain removal.

Deep Clean Regularly

Keeping rugs and carpets clean in high-traffic areas requires routine maintenance and efficient cleaning methods. However, these strategies cannot replace the work of professional cleaners. With regular deep cleaning using innovative processes, professionals can make sure your rugs, and thus your home, look as bright and clean as possible.  

Fortunately, getting started with deep cleaning is easy when you know where to look. Simply turn to Chem-Dry for professionals who are trained to clean virtually all types of rugs, from Oriental to Persian.

We always use specialized tools and equipment designed for the specific kind of rug you have, enabling us to thoroughly and effectively clean area rugs while restoring the textile’s original beauty. 

Ready to learn more about how our professionals clean area rugs and how we can help you maintain a beautiful living environment? Simply call Chem-Dry at (800) CHEM-DRY today for details about our rug cleaning services and expertise!