Rug Shopping, Where Do I Start?
If you have decided to invest in a quality rug, it is essential that you know your options. Unfortunately, some retailers will take advantage of your lack of knowledge and sell you an overpriced rug. These tips should help you in your rug search and purchasing process.
The Right Company For The Right Rug – Today there are lots of rug options out there. From lower quality synthetic rugs to more high-end rugs. Make sure you know your materials and what is worth paying top dollar for and what is not. Large box stores are great for every day “disposable” rugs. Think of the areas that take a beating in your home, that is where you want one of these rugs. You will not find a high-end rug that is meant to last in one of these places however. That is ok, just make sure you are buying the right rug for the proper purpose. You’ll find a quality high-end rug at antique and consignment stores, furniture and flooring stores, and of course rug galleries. Ask around with friends and family, or even whoever cleans your current rugs to find a reputable source. They will often times have good first-hand experience to share.
The Right Rug – It is important to find the right rug for the right job. Wool rugs are the best in almost every way because they hide dirt, hold up much longer and look cleaner longer than any other fiber. Another great perk is that wool rugs are a green choice since sheep are always growing a new coat and aren’t produced from synthetic materials like lower-end options. Silk rugs are beautiful but can be quite pricey. Plus, if spilled on, they will bleed so keep that in mind when you are thinking about where the rug will be placed. Buying a silk rug can also be tricky since some sellers may try to pass off a viscose or rayon rug as silk. The bottom line is to make sure you trust the seller you are buying your rug from.
Construction – Many rugs fall into two categories concerning their construction, woven (by hand or machine) and tufted. Woven rugs are solid and sturdy and will last you a long time. Tufted rugs are made to look like woven rugs, but their construction is far inferior. Instead of being woven, the wool is pulled through to the back, and then latex is poured on the back to hold it all together which is not as strong as a woven rug. Plus the latex can at times give off a bad odor. If that is the case, that smell cannot be removed. When it comes to cleaning, tufted rugs can be tricky when a contaminant like pet pee gets into the latex glue. Also, the glue does not hold up to washes very well. If you want a rug that will last, choose a woven rug.
How do you know if a rug is woven or tufted? Flip the rug over and look at the back. If you see the same pattern from the front, it is woven, if you see a material backing, it is tufted (the material is hiding the latex glue). Note that there are other rugs like custom or “crafty” rugs like “t-shirt” rugs or rugs made out of leather strips or fuzzy pom poms. Since these materials are not typically used for rugs, they can be challenging to clean (and expensive). Just keep that in mind when you are making your purchase.
We hope these tips will help you in your search for a new rug. If you have any questions or need some direction, feel free to give us a call. TruClean Floor Care delivers customers thoroughly clean floors using professional, eco-friendly cleaning techniques for tile, carpets, upholstery, rugs and more.