Even the thought of buying a luxury rug is fascinating. And the whole process that follows in deciding one that fits furthers the excitement. However, for a rug to persistently keep shining may require you to educate yourself on a few essential tips. Here, we list out six such tips from the experts at MAT LIVING who happen to be masters in terms of the familiarity of the fabric, weaving, and usage. 

1. Use Your Vacuum Cleaner

Most of the dirt on rugs comes from dust and pet dander (and if you're like me, cat hair) that blow onto your rug and get stuck there unless something removes it. Fortunately, a vacuum cleaner is one of the best things for removing those particles.

Using a vacuum cleaner ensures that the cloth fabric is preserved from damage, dulling of color, and abrasions that can sometimes come from cleaning with water. The Agra Grey rug at MAT LIVING is best suited for vacuum cleaning. It is an everyday rug with a simple but rejuvenating design.

2. Soft-bristled carpet brush

Don't use a harsh brush. In most cases, you should only go with soft-bristled brushes made from nylon or polyester that won't damage your rug's fibers. Also, while using the carpet brush, handle with care. Remember, if you have a delicate fabric rug, don't scrub too hard with the bristles of a brush or rub it excessively as you can damage it. The Bergamo White rug on MATLIVING with a captivating square motif can be best cleaned for dust using a soft-bristled carpet brush.

3. Remove the Rug from the House for Drying

Give your rug a good shake upon getting rid of all that loose dirt by vacuuming it up. That will help bring even more dust out of it. But don't stop there. Your rug may ask for a more deep but delicate cleaning. If it is wool, silk, or other soft fabric, take it outside and run a cool stream of water over the rug to remove more dirt.

You'll want to do this, especially if your rug is thickly napped or chenille: these kinds of rugs tend to trap more dirt than flat-woven ones and may damage if not handled carefully.

You can use a garden hose for this purpose or even a bathtub, as long as the rug is completely submerged and you bear in mind that running water may carry some dirt back onto your rug. Else, you can curl up the edges of your rug and give it a good shower with cold water to accomplish the job.

Let it dry in the open air. If your rug is indoors, hanging it out to dry like the Lienzo Blue (image above) on MAT LIVING or putting it in an area where there's a fan blowing will help expedite the process.

4. Use cleaning fluids sparingly and only on certain kinds of rugs

If your rug material can withstand water, such as cotton or polypropylene, you may be able to get away with using some cleaning fluids. It includes most household cleaners like vinegar and ammonia (but not all). Initially, use a small amount of liquid and see if it works to remove the dirt.

Also, use solvents such as alcohol and turpentine carefully. These can discolor or damage the fibers.

5. You Can Use Salt to Get Rid of Stains

On the other hand, if you have a rug like the Terraza Grey, that you think might be stained but is made from a water-safe material, you may use salt as a cleaning agent. Mix the salt with water and apply as a paste to gently brush the dirt out of your rug's fibers.

You can also use baking soda for this purpose, but it works best when combined with hydrogen peroxide. It is an excellent way to clear blood stains from traffic areas on rugs.

6. No Dry Cleaners or High Heat

Do not take your rug to the dry cleaners unless you have to: professional cleaning may result in excessive shrinking of fabric and more wear on the fibers of your rug. Also, never put a rug in a washing machine or subject it to high heat as this may lead to unprecedented damage.

Experts recommend that you not use an iron on your rug either. Also, never fold up a rug with wet spots, leading to mold growth and stains. And if you roll up a wet rug, make sure you keep it rolled in the same direction for unraveling once it has dried completely.

Rug cleaning can be a demanding process that requires a lot of attention and care, but it is worth caring if you want to keep your rug in top condition for a long time to come. You'll have no difficulty going through the entire process.