Rugs and carpets can lose their shape and condition, and attract pests and odours if they aren’t stored well. Learning how to keep your rugs and carpets protected in storage is therefore crucial to ensure they remain in excellent condition for as long as possible.
To store rugs and carpets,
- Give rug a deep and thorough clean.
- Moth-proof rug.
- Roll the rug up tight.
- Wrap rug in a protective, plastic cover.
- Store in a climate-controlled environment.
1. Deep Clean Rug
As you can imagine, rugs and carpets harbour a lot of dirt and bacteria over time. For this reason, it is crucial that you give them a deep and thorough clean before they enter storage. If you don’t, mould and other nasties can grow and ruin the fabric.
Depending on the type of rug or carpet, you might want to get it specially cleaned — in fact, we at Falconer Removals would highly reccomend a professional rug/carpet cleaning service. Although you can hoover and wash a carpet yourself, the experts will be able to restore your rug to near-perfect condition — something that is not possible with regular tools. Check out this video from Insider, which walks you through how a rug is professionally cleaned.
If you would like to clean the rug yourself, we’d reccomend that you give it a thorough vacuum to start. If you have a vintage or antique rug, place a nylon screen over the rug before you vacuum. Once this is done, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your specific rug or carpet.
2. Moth-Proof Rug
Even the cleanest carpets can attract moths. Once your rug is clean, moth-proof it with a commercial treatment or your own home remedies (sachets with dried lavender have been a popular choice). If you decide to go with a professional rug cleaner, they should be able to do this for you.
3. Roll Rug Up Tight
Next, roll the rug up as tight as possible. Lay the rug flat and ensure that it is straight and aligned when you begin to roll. A straight edge can be used to help keep everything in alignment. Once rolled, you can use twine, or another gentle tie, to secure the roll in place.
If you fold the rug, it can gain permanent crease lines that are near impossible to remove, as well as weaken the fibres at the bend points, so avoid this at all costs.
4. Wrap Rug in Protective, Plastic Cover
Once rolled, wrap the rug in a protective plastic or canvas cloth cover to protect it from dust and insects. Do not use plastic if your rug will be subject to temperature changes, as this will cause condensation.
5. Store in a Climate-Controlled Environment
The good news is that you can ensure your rug and carpets are kept safe from condensation and other temperature-related issues with a climate-controlled storage space. These are purpose-built and modern spaces that are climate-controlled, dry, secure and insured for your complete peace of mind. Climate control is the most important factor for rugs and carpets as fluctuations in heat and condition can cause long-term and irreversible damage.
…and there you have it, your rug or carpet is ready to go into storage.
To learn more about our purpose-built storage facilities or removals service, take a look at out our website or contact Nathan. At Falconers we use meticulous moving techniques, passed down and perfected through generations for over 132 years, to ensure your rugs, carpets and other items are stored and kept in perfect condition. Rest assured that your move will be completed with expert precision.
For more expert advice on how to pack, move and store your belongings — or other important information on how removals work — check out our blog page.
