Protecting your rug from the sun

Rugs are often the last item of the room to be thought of. After all, they lie on the floor that we all walk on, when was the last time that you looked down at your rug lovingly and cooed about that time you walked on it last?

Rugs really are the one of the better definers of your room(s). If you want a jungle themed room, a leopard patterned rug is your first choice, not a traditional red rug; if you are looking to increase the elegance of your dining room, you don't buy an Andy Warhol styled rug with pastels.

But homeowners don't typically think of rugs until something happens. A stain, a rip or a complete change of design are usually the reasons - Rugs need to be thought of first and then walked on, not the other way around.

With that said, you need to learn how to protect your area rug from the sun so as to increase it's lifespan and ensure that your investment lasts longer. Some rugs are colorfasted, especially a handmade or Persian rug, but others are not, especially if you bought it from a department store or from Aunt May's friend in the school parking lot - not all rugs are created equal.

You can protect your rug(s) from the sun with a few simple steps:

1.) turn your rugs around every so often - like every two months, especially if there is a direct sunbeam coming from the window on only part of the rug

2.) alternate rugs - switch them around from room to room every six months to keep them breathing and away from direct sunlight

3.) take them outside and beat them to keep them looking fresh. Vaccuuming doesnt' always do the trick.

The idea is to keep them moving and away from direct sunlight so they aren't exposed for any real length of time. Keep them moving around, give them a little care and they'll last a much longer time.

How to Protect your Rug from the Sun

As we welcome the summer and the wonderful rays of the sun, we should also be prepared for the effects that it can do to our precious rugs. Sun fading on a rug is not impossible to correct, but is very difficult. In this case, there is only prevention, and a costly cure. When you purchase a new rug or when you’re placing a rug in your home, you should also be aware of how the light from your windows can affect the rug. Be particular about skylights as well. You can also try to observe how the light falls and streams through you window at different times during the day.

When a rug fades unevenly, the color is impossible to even out. Keep your rug out of direct sunlight, if possible. The rays of the sun damage by causing the rug to fade where the light hits it. Consider window tints that can block out most of the sun’s harmful rays.


Antique rugs that were made with natural substances are especially susceptible to sun fading. Chemically washed rugs will still show some fading over time as well. Rug areas that are under direct sunlight will fade and look uneven compared to the other parts of the rug.


So what can you do to prevent your rug from fading? Frequently rotate your rug especially when it’s under direct sunlight. Or rotate it at least once a month. The rug will tend to fade but the color will at least be uniform. If the rug is not under direct sunlight, you can rotate it four times in a year or every season. If your valuable rug is inside a rarely used room, you can close the curtains and preserve the original colors. For more tips and ideas on how to protect your rugs in your home - see these videos on rug care provided by the folks at RugSale.com - 50,000 Designs, Just One Site....

Choosing the Right Rug for Your Room

It could be quite frustrating choosing the right rug with the large variety of rug sizes and with some different from the other with just a mere inch. But selecting the right rug size is easy once you can see the difference. Sizing the rug to fit your room the right way will make it more comfortable, better define its purpose and save your hardwood & laminate floors from damaging wear and scratches.











Shop for Round Rugs, Shop for Runner Rugs


Floor Space
To make a room look proportioned, most people feel that they should leave at least 18”(45cm) of the bare floor around the rug. If the room is small, it can be less than 18”(45cm) and this applicable to halls and the foyer. But it is best that you take a look at your room and figure out how much area you want a rug to cover. If you want to showcase your beautiful hardwood floor, you may want to go for a smaller area rug just to add a little color or warmth to the room.











Shop for Contemporary Rugs

Plan around your Furniture
Before you determine the size of your new area rug, you should arrange your furniture first. If you want a large area rug for your living room, all the legs of your furniture should be resting on the rug for a more “pulled together” look. Do not put your furniture on the rug anymore if it is not enough to cover the whole area. Place the rug instead on the center and arrange the furniture around it.













Shop for Traditional Rugs

Do not place a rug under your dining table if the chairs will appear half on and half off. A small rug will make the dining room crowded and uncomfortable. It will also allow the chairs to scratch the floors. The right size rug allows your guests to sit comfortably & increases the room’s visual appearance. This also protects your floors, avoiding costly refinishing expenses













Shop for Traditional Rugs

For a rug to look balanced in the bedroom, it should extend beyond the sides of a King or Queen size bed for at least 18”(45cm) and for a Full or Twin bed, 12”(30cm). It also depends on your room size but you should never go smaller with the rug extension.

Measure the room
To make it the decision easier in choosing a rug size, you should measure your room. Using tape measure. Decide which part of the floor you want covered and how much of the floor you want to show. Some people prefer to place rugs in the area where there is heavy traffic. You can also place a rug under the coffee table to make it the focal point of the living room. Bring the measurements to the store with you. You may not find a rug that measures exactly but at least you can have an idea of the size that you need.

There are really no rules of thumb in choosing the right-sized rug but these tips can help in your decision making process in choosing the right area rug for your home.

RugSale.com presents - Helping Your Rugs Last

Keeping your Area rug , Persian Rug or Silk Carpet in tiptop condition is quite easy. When it comes to keeping them cleaned and well-maintained,all you have to do is carry out some basic area rug care every once in a while. Do not let your rug dertioriate into a rubbish pile. Each area rug is a valuable piece of work and with adequate care,it will maintain its look and value for several years.

One simple but important tip is to keep your rug away from direct sunlight. This preventive tip will keep your rug from fading over time. This might not be always possible but you can use curtains or blinds to keep the sun away. But if this really can’t be avoided, what you can do is rotate your rug every once in a while so that the fading would be equal for all parts of the carpet. Do the same if your rug or carpet gets a lot of foot traffic, especially when its placed in a hall or walkway. Turn it at a 90 degree angle every once in a while so that the wear is equally distributed throughout.

If you are worried about mold, especially if you have this problem in your home, you can air-dry the rug by lifting it above the ground and placing a support underneath. Placing it above clothes airier for a few hours should do the trick. Moth larvae and Silverfish thrive in damp environments, there are products in the market that can get rid of these right away to prevent an infestation.

Another important fact to remember is not to overdo vacuuming. It is very important to vacuum but the available vacuum cleaners on the market today have powerful ducts and large suctions that can stretch the fibers of your rug. You can also wash your carpet, but don’t overdo this as either. Follow manufatcurer’s instructions for washing your rug, an average area rug should only need to be washed every three to five years. This may also depend on circumstances but when it comes to maintaining your rug, following a routine is best. Taking note of these simple tips will give your rug a longer life.