Protect Your Valuable Rugs

When planning to put your rug into storage, your rug could be at risk aside from theft. Being stored improperly or bugs and insects can ruin a beautiful rug. Here are some safe storage tips from TruClean Rug Spa. Contact us for a pre-storage cleaning and free estimates.

Safe Rug Storage Tips

• Make sure to clean and moth-repel rugs before wrapping them for storage. Clean your rugs of any food or liquid because moths aren't the only danger. Insects will eat sugars and other food spills, and they will eat the wool fibers that are holding this meal for them too. So, an insect repellant will make your rug unappetizing to moths, but you must wash the rug thoroughly first to ensure it is protected from other pests!

• Prevent moth and carpet beetle damage through regular rug washing - Moths! Wool is eaten, but the white cotton foundation fibers remain.
  
  
• Roll your rugs starting at the bottom end to the top end, fuzzy side inside - To find the bottom end of your rug, you want to “pet” your rug to determine when you are going with the nap, and against the nap. When you run your hand with the nap, it will take you to the tassels of the bottom of the rug (where the weaver began weaving your rug). Roll from this end. Folding rugs causes cracking over time, so do not fold rugs being put in storage.
  

• Roll your silk rugs with the fuzzy side outside - Wool and cotton rugs have more “give” to them than silk rugs, so when placing silk rugs into storage, roll them with their fuzzy silk side outside. This creates less strain on the foundation fibers over time.
  
  
• Wrap your rugs in Tyvek or brown acid-free paper - Wool has a moisture content even when it is dry, so changes in heat can cause it to “sweat.” Because of this you shouldn't wrap wool rugs in plastic or you will create a potential mildew problem. Tyvek paper is best (tear and water-resistant).
  
  
• Keep your rugs off of the ground - Many storage facilities can flood during bad weather, so keep rugs at least 6 inches off the ground.

• Make sure nothing heavy is on top of your rugs - Heavy items can cause damage to the rug’s foundation.
  

• Get your rugs insured when placed in a storage unit - You also want a photograph and appraisal on file in case you need them.