What's the difference between a rug and carpet?

What makes taking care of a rug different to carpet? Anyone who owns a fluffy rug, old rug, new rug, oriental rug, heirloom rug or flying rug - you need to hear this! Your local JAE team can ensure your precious rugs look and feel great for years! There's something so special about rugs. They anchor a room, bringing everyone together and create a cosy and beautiful heart of any living space. At JAE, we love rugs and we know many of you do too. That’s why we spoke to our rug expert, John Smith, who has worked in the industry for over 50 years, to get his lay down on rug rules so that you can keep your rugs looking great for as long as possible.

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RULE #1

Rugs are not just carpet! There’s a reason why the JAE rug cleaning process is inherently different from our carpet cleaning process. Rugs are a delicate, specialty item and require a particular cleaning method. So as a general rule, carpet cleaning methods can often be harmful to rugs. Even the classic Grandma’s recipe for spot stain removal can cause colours to be stripped from the delicate fibres of rugs. That’s why we’re here to help.

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RULE #2

Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! The more often you vacuum, the less soil, grit, animal hair, and dust will settle into your rug. This is especially important in keeping your rug looking (and smelling) fresh. Remember to take extra care when vacuuming the fringe or salvage edges of your rug as these can be particularly delicate.

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RULE #3

A (not-so) secret that will prolong your rug life is to use a rug pad. Rug pads can be purchased at most rug retailers to ensure that your rug lies smoothly across the ground and doesn’t move around. When your rug is lying flat, it is more likely to wear evenly over a much longer period of time rather than some areas wearing more than others fairly quickly.

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RULE #4

How do I remove stains from my rug? This is one of our most frequently asked questions. It happens to everyone! It’s fundamental to remember Rule #1 – avoid removing stains on a rug as you would with carpet. The key is to try and remove the spills as promptly as possible. If the spill is liquid, blot immediately to soak up as much as possible, don’t rub! Then, sponge with cold water and blot dry. For solids, scoop up as much as possible, then either let it dry and vacuum up, or sponge with cold water and blot dry. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to give your local JAE experts a call for professional advice.

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‍RULE #5

The time will inevitably come when your rug needs a really good clean. Be sure to consider why it's so important to get your rug cleaned professionally. The process actually takes around a week. The reason for this is because rugs need to be taken away for a controlled process of extensive vacuuming and dusting (the most important step), then repeat cleanse with specialised stain treatment if required to get the best results. It is then important that rugs are finally rinsed with cold water to remove any residual cleaning products before an optional stain and moth protectant application.

These steps are imperative to ensure that there is no colour bleeding (especially for oriental rugs), and that no damage or degradation of the fibres occur. If your rug has soiled or stained fringes, this is the first sign of poor condition. Rugs returned with bright and clean fringes are evidence of professional expertise.

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Where water or smoke damage has occurred, or you have a beloved pet that has left urine odours or stains on your valuable rug, a professional rug clean should be undertaken to ensure your rug is returned to its former condition.

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So, for any rug concerns you have, be sure to give your local JAE experts a call for advice and help from specially trained and qualified technicians. Check out some of our before and after photos below!

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For other carpet and rug care tips, please see our articles on Will professional cleaning cause my rug to fade and Do I Need a Professional to Treat Stains.