Showing posts sorted by relevance for query sisal rugs. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query sisal rugs. Sort by date Show all posts

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sisal Rugs: Environment Friendly Flooring Decor

A sisal rug is an environmentally friendly, natural and biodegradable type of flooring decor. Sisal rugs are versatile, long-lasting, sound absorbing, water and fire resistant with some insulating properties. They are also naturally stain resistant, resilient and less expensive than other traditional rugs. These rugs are also very easy to take care of and maintain. Made from the sisal agave, commonly known as a cactus, the plant was first discovered in the Yucatan and was named after the port where the fiber was first exported.

These plants grow in humid climates in huge plump leaves from which the sisal fiber is flattened and frayed until only the fibers remain. The fibers are then soaked before exposure for drying in the sun or otherwise by searing air. It is very important to dry the fiber correctly as the value and type of the sisal depends on its moisture content. The washed, dried and treated sisal produces a sturdy, tough, expandable material suitable for rugs as well as rope, paper, buffing cloth, dart boards, handicrafts and many other uses. Their long woven fibers are stronger than coir, jute, hemp and flax. These sisal products have been utilized by people all over the world for many years.

The leading exporters of sisal fiber are Brazil, Mexico, China, the Caribbean, Tanzania and Kenya. In sisal rugs, sisal is usually blended with wool and acrylic for a softer cushion. This is accomplished by a 60% wool and 40% sisal using only its high-grade quality fibers. Their long woven fibers are stronger than coir, jute, hemp and flax. These sisal products have been patronized by professional architects and top interior designers all over the world for many years. They are gaining tremendous popularity by becoming one of the favorite rugs in the field of interior home and office design.

Sisal rugs have some unique characteristics, apart from being made from a cactus. Sisal will expand or contract depending on weather conditions. It has natural anti-static properties in addition to the fact that dust are not absorbed or retained by sisal rugs. They can be dyed to any color you prefer be it bold, natural or neutral. You can place them in heavy traffic areas where people converge. They can withstand the pressure.

You will be delighted with its fashionable and exotic beauty and you can place them in the living room, bedroom and hallway or conference room in your home or office. Sisal rugs have various texture and design schemes. You can choose those handcrafted rugs with 100% natural woven fiber with latex backing and stylish weavers. You can choose natural color rug or a dyed and bleached color flooring fixture of your choice. If you want to create a heavy visual impact, new life and vibrant personality into your rooms, the high fashion, earth friendly designer series of custom-made rugs with blind stitching edges are excellent choices.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Exceptional Quality Area Rugs

When you are looking for options to redecorate or give a fresh look to any room, Natural Area Rugs are a great choice. They attended a strong competitive position in the retail market place and developed advanced skills in importing and marketing the finest floor coverings, contemporary rugs and carpets.These are available in unique as well as traditional color designs and are marketed through distributors, carpets and rugs dealers, furniture stores and designers.

Natural Area Rugs is the right place to find the best prices and great selection on area rugs. They carry many types of rugs, including wool rugs, sisal rugs, shag rugs. The contemporary rugs are one of their personal favorites. You will love the look that contemporary rugs can bring to your home, and are much more versatile than you may think.

Many clients put their modern area rugs in trendy lofts going up across many major cities in the US, but they also have a place in the everyday home. Contemporary rugs are truly floor art and are good to bring color to a room similar to a painting on the wall. Modern rugs are a great easy way to make a bland beige room a bit more exciting.

Since many contemporary rugs make a bold statement, they are great to design around. They can certainly be the focal point of the room, so if you are redesigning a room completely you may want to first purchase your rug and then choose other elements in the room to work with your rug. You will want to choose furniture that can work with the style of your contemporary rug. These rugs really work great with furniture and walls of solid color or minimal print.

These area rugs will add comfort to your living area with their plush fibers, and natural beauty. They are easy to clean with a vacuum attachment or a damp cloth. Natural Area Rugs use hand-tufted high quality wool that is appealing to the eyes, and soft to the touch. These rugs feature a shag pile just under 1 1/2" thick to ensure a soft cushion on your floor and they are backed with canvas., so an accompanying rug pad is recommended.

Natural Area Rugs provides Colorado Indoor or Outdoor rugs made entirely from 100% polypropylene. The polypropylene weave and binding combination make these rugs resistant to mold, mildew, and stains. These durable multi-purpose area rugs provide warmth and protection during colder weather and relief from hot surfaces during those long hot summer days. Inspired by the natural look and feel of our ever-popular sisal rugs, you will love the way these rugs complement both interior and exterior spaces.

Colorado Indoor or Outdoor rugs are versatile and attractive and will enhance any kitchen, bathroom, patio or sunroom decor.

They are easy to clean, reversible, and are a perfect choice for high traffic areas.

With this selection of Polypropylene rugs, you can expect superior quality and design at the best prices anywhere.The area rugs buyers carefully select patterns based on the latest color trends and designs. The textures and patterns offered range from fresh and bold to traditional and subdued. The elegance and quality that a new area rug will add to your space is sure to be enjoyed for years to come.

Natural Area Rugs provides bamboo rugs as well. These are made entirely from the highest quality natural materials. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet and one of the toughest. This inherent strength is combined with its natural beauty to create the delightfully contemporary look of these bamboo rugs. You can experience this beautifully crafted bamboo rug collection at low price. These rugs are easy to clean and built to last. They are exclusively imported for Natural Area Rugs.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/exceptional-quality-area-rugs-448355.html

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Area Rugs and Flooring -- Two Newly Green Giants

Over the years, a debate has taken place in the flooring
industry over the impact its products have on the
environment. In 2003, a group of industry researches and
technical specialists met at the University of North Carolina
to examine the science with regard to the positive or
negative attributes of materials found in products like
carpeting, area rugs and linoleum.

The panel looked at hundreds of studies in relation to how
carpet and non-carpet materials contribute to environmental
quality and whether there's a significant concern with toxic
substances and allergens alleged to have commonly been
found.

The intention of the researchers was to try and settle years
of anecdotal evidence and set an industry standard to help
buyers and sellers of flooring products. A good portion of the
information reviewed came from the Environmental
Protection Agency, the National Health Science Libraries,
and other previously published industry experts.

A review of all of the literature led to one major conclusion:
materials found in flooring "play a significant role to the
quality of life indoors." It contributes to healthy design
factors, safety, aesthetics, climate control, ergonomics and
physical comfort. When maintained properly, carpeting and
area rugs are not at all risks to public health.

While the group's conclusion was great news for the
industry and the public, it's still necessary to examine
flooring's impact on the whole environment, including the
part played by rugs and flooring made from natural
materials.

Decorating Like Darwin: By Natural Selection

With so many types of area rugs available today, it's hard
enough to make a style selection, let alone having to take
health and environmental concerns into account. Keeping
rugs clean and in good condition will go a long way in
alleviating any concerns. Area rugs do have material
differences, though. Here's a quick look at natural fiber rugs
and other natural flooring:

WOOL RUGS

Water, water everywhere, so keep it away from wool. Water
is one of the biggest enemies of wool rugs. Wool, popular in

href="http://www.a1-discount-area-rugs.com/Oriental-Rugs.html">Oriental rugs
, has a high moisture regain and is
susceptible to microorganism attack. That may sound like
the bad plot to a Hollywood horror film or an episode of Fear
Factor. Nevertheless, keep something that requires water,
like potted plants, off of wool rugs.

Water aside, wool's long, coarse fibers have the ability to
maintain indoor air quality and, unlike synthetic fibers, can
absorb indoor contaminants. Since discarded carpet
accounts for a tremendous amount of waste – 4.7 billion
pounds in 2002 according to the EPA – any rug that lasts
longer, like a hand-knotted wool rug, is going to get the seal
of approval from the Green Party.

JUTE RUGS

Once used primarily as carpet backing, Jute has made it to
the big time. As a full-fledged member of the area rug and
carpet family, Jute, which ranges from light tans to browns,
is one of the finest and softest of natural floor covering
materials.

Composed mainly of plant materials, Jute is a rainy season
crop that grows best in warm, humid climates like parts of
China and India. While it may grow in rainy weather, the Jute
rug won't stand up to areas with high moisture levels. Unlike
wool, jute is resistant to microorganisms, but the material
will in fact deteriorate rapidly when exposed to moisture.

BAMBOO RUGS

Gilligan's Island no longer corners the market on bamboo
flooring. You don't need to live in a hut to use this material.

Bamboo, which is also a trend in cutting boards and
hardwood floors, has become a popular option for area
rugs. And its environmental friendliness is obvious. No
trees to cut down, no waste. Bamboo is technically a grass,
and moreover a highly renewable resource. Maturing in less
than six years, bamboo is harvested over and over from the
same plants. Its strength combined with a natural beauty
can add a contemporary touch to any living space.

SEAGRASS RUGS

Seagrass is not something you may have thought was
illegal. You can't grow it in your backyard, but it does look
great in the house. Created from tropical grass mainly
imported from China, Seagrass, which only comes in a
natural organic green color, is smooth to the touch and
extremely durable and stain resistant.

SISAL RUGS

Sisal is another natural fiber that has recently gained
popularity among designers. The material is derived from a
cactus plant, grown in semi-arid regions liked Brazil and
Africa.

Sisal is stronger and more durable than other natural fibers,
making its staying power ultra-environment friendly. Water is
not Sisal's friend, either. The rug should never be used in
the bathroom or other moist areas of the house.

CORK FLOORING

Now you may be thinking how a rug is made from cork?
Well, it's not. Cork has been slipped in to this discussion
simply because it can be considered a cousin in the natural
fiber family. Used as durable hardwood-type flooring, the
cork tree is the only one whose bark can regenerate itself
after harvest without damaging the tree or the environment.
The tree is never killed or cut down and can produce bark for
centuries. Furthermore, almost all of its harvested materials
are put to use.

Cork is known for its sound environmental policy, and when
feet hit the floor, it's known for its durability. Cork may seem
elastic when compared to wood, but its "natural memory
ability" and resistance to liquid penetration can make it an
attractive alternative.

LINOLEUM FLOORING

This is no joke. Linoleum is back. So break out the disco
ball and platform shoes. Vinyl nearly sent linoleum to the
flooring scrap yard, but just like bell-bottoms, linoleum is
making a comeback. It's contemporary and gets the green
seal. While vinyl is synthetic and petroleum-based, linoleum
is made entirely of natural materials, linseed oil being the
main ingredient.

The resurgence of natural and retro products is behind
linoleum's rebirth. As a natural product, linoleum can be
recycled and is hypoallergenic, which benefits those who
suffer from allergies or asthma. Linoleum also contains
antibacterial properties that help stop the growth of
microorganisms.

About the author:

Based in Los Angeles, Ron Neal is a free-lance writer, editor and owner of Writemind Media. With more than 20 years of experience, including six at the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Neal has produced and edited hundreds of articles on a variety of subjects, including flooring, home improvement and area rugs of all kinds, including braided and sisal rugs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Neal

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Area Rugs and Flooring -- Two Newly Green Giants

Over the years, a debate has taken place in the flooring
industry over the impact its products have on the
environment. In 2003, a group of industry researches and
technical specialists met at the University of North Carolina
to examine the science with regard to the positive or
negative attributes of materials found in products like
carpeting, area rugs and linoleum.

The panel looked at hundreds of studies in relation to how
carpet and non-carpet materials contribute to environmental
quality and whether there's a significant concern with toxic
substances and allergens alleged to have commonly been
found.

The intention of the researchers was to try and settle years
of anecdotal evidence and set an industry standard to help
buyers and sellers of flooring products. A good portion of the
information reviewed came from the Environmental
Protection Agency, the National Health Science Libraries,
and other previously published industry experts.

A review of all of the literature led to one major conclusion:
materials found in flooring "play a significant role to the
quality of life indoors." It contributes to healthy design
factors, safety, aesthetics, climate control, ergonomics and
physical comfort. When maintained properly, carpeting and
area rugs are not at all risks to public health.

While the group's conclusion was great news for the
industry and the public, it's still necessary to examine
flooring's impact on the whole environment, including the
part played by rugs and flooring made from natural
materials.

Decorating Like Darwin: By Natural Selection

With so many types of area rugs available today, it's hard
enough to make a style selection, let alone having to take
health and environmental concerns into account. Keeping
rugs clean and in good condition will go a long way in
alleviating any concerns. Area rugs do have material
differences, though. Here's a quick look at natural fiber rugs
and other natural flooring:

WOOL RUGS

Water, water everywhere, so keep it away from wool. Water
is one of the biggest enemies of wool rugs. Wool, popular in

href="http://www.a1-discount-area-rugs.com/Oriental-Rugs.html">Oriental rugs
, has a high moisture regain and is
susceptible to microorganism attack. That may sound like
the bad plot to a Hollywood horror film or an episode of Fear
Factor. Nevertheless, keep something that requires water,
like potted plants, off of wool rugs.

Water aside, wool's long, coarse fibers have the ability to
maintain indoor air quality and, unlike synthetic fibers, can
absorb indoor contaminants. Since discarded carpet
accounts for a tremendous amount of waste – 4.7 billion
pounds in 2002 according to the EPA – any rug that lasts
longer, like a hand-knotted wool rug, is going to get the seal
of approval from the Green Party.

JUTE RUGS

Once used primarily as carpet backing, Jute has made it to
the big time. As a full-fledged member of the area rug and
carpet family, Jute, which ranges from light tans to browns,
is one of the finest and softest of natural floor covering
materials.

Composed mainly of plant materials, Jute is a rainy season
crop that grows best in warm, humid climates like parts of
China and India. While it may grow in rainy weather, the Jute
rug won't stand up to areas with high moisture levels. Unlike
wool, jute is resistant to microorganisms, but the material
will in fact deteriorate rapidly when exposed to moisture.

BAMBOO RUGS

Gilligan's Island no longer corners the market on bamboo
flooring. You don't need to live in a hut to use this material.

Bamboo, which is also a trend in cutting boards and
hardwood floors, has become a popular option for area
rugs. And its environmental friendliness is obvious. No
trees to cut down, no waste. Bamboo is technically a grass,
and moreover a highly renewable resource. Maturing in less
than six years, bamboo is harvested over and over from the
same plants. Its strength combined with a natural beauty
can add a contemporary touch to any living space.

SEAGRASS RUGS

Seagrass is not something you may have thought was
illegal. You can't grow it in your backyard, but it does look
great in the house. Created from tropical grass mainly
imported from China, Seagrass, which only comes in a
natural organic green color, is smooth to the touch and
extremely durable and stain resistant.

SISAL RUGS

Sisal is another natural fiber that has recently gained
popularity among designers. The material is derived from a
cactus plant, grown in semi-arid regions liked Brazil and
Africa.

Sisal is stronger and more durable than other natural fibers,
making its staying power ultra-environment friendly. Water is
not Sisal's friend, either. The rug should never be used in
the bathroom or other moist areas of the house.

CORK FLOORING

Now you may be thinking how a rug is made from cork?
Well, it's not. Cork has been slipped in to this discussion
simply because it can be considered a cousin in the natural
fiber family. Used as durable hardwood-type flooring, the
cork tree is the only one whose bark can regenerate itself
after harvest without damaging the tree or the environment.
The tree is never killed or cut down and can produce bark for
centuries. Furthermore, almost all of its harvested materials
are put to use.

Cork is known for its sound environmental policy, and when
feet hit the floor, it's known for its durability. Cork may seem
elastic when compared to wood, but its "natural memory
ability" and resistance to liquid penetration can make it an
attractive alternative.

LINOLEUM FLOORING

This is no joke. Linoleum is back. So break out the disco
ball and platform shoes. Vinyl nearly sent linoleum to the
flooring scrap yard, but just like bell-bottoms, linoleum is
making a comeback. It's contemporary and gets the green
seal. While vinyl is synthetic and petroleum-based, linoleum
is made entirely of natural materials, linseed oil being the
main ingredient.

The resurgence of natural and retro products is behind
linoleum's rebirth. As a natural product, linoleum can be
recycled and is hypoallergenic, which benefits those who
suffer from allergies or asthma. Linoleum also contains
antibacterial properties that help stop the growth of
microorganisms.

About the author:

Based in Los Angeles, Ron Neal is a free-lance writer, editor and owner of Writemind Media. With more than 20 years of experience, including six at the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Neal has produced and edited hundreds of articles on a variety of subjects, including flooring, home improvement and area rugs of all kinds, including braided and sisal rugs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Neal

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Natural Fiber Rugs

Many people feel that a bare floor is much more elegant than a floor with carpeting or floor rugs. Houses decorated with natural fiber rugs have a warm open air attached to them. Natural fibers used in rug making include among others Sisal, Seagrass, Coir, Jute, Hemp, Bamboo, and Conifer.

You can obtain natural fiber floor rugs in almost any size or shape. They also come in variety of edge bindings such as serge, wide canvas, extra wide cotton, and micro fiber. Most of the natural fiber rugs have the same natural shades as the fiber used. However the variety of natural shades is huge. In addition one can obtain them in artificial colors too if one so prefers.

A plant called Agave Sisalana grows in several tropical countries with hot humid climates such as Brazil, Philippines, Kenya and Tanzania, as well as in Central American and Caribbean countries. Fiber obtained from plant’s leaves which grow to about four feet long, is used to make twine and rope in addition to rugs. This plant is sometimes called Sisal Hemp but it is not hemp. Sisal rugs are not suitable for wet areas. They also stain easily. However there are protective coatings that can be applied to prevent stains on these rugs.

Natural fibers used for these kinds of area rugs are extracted from plant reeds that grow in saltwater marshes in Asia and Europe. Seagrass used to make floor rugs is not the same as seaweed which are algae, not plants. Seagrass rugs are water resistant and inexpensive, a useful combination when it comes to floor rugs.

Bark of plants belonging to genus Corchorus which grows in the hot moist river valleys in East India are used to make jute. This fiber is also used to make gunny and burlap sacks, twine, rope, as well as carpet and linoleum backing. It is resistant to molds and water, but tends to fade in direct sunlight.

Hemp fiber is stout and durable. Hemp fiber rugs tend to be tough but they soften with use over time.

Coconut husk are used to make coir fiber. Ropes made of coir are tough and resistant to decay. So are the Coir floor rugs.

A feature common for all natural fiber rugs is that they can be easily cleaned using a vacuum cleaner. Natural Fiber rugs with strong backing will last five to fifteen years if properly taken care of.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=84720&ca=Home+Management

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

3 Great Tips to Choose the Best Area Rugs for Your Home

span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Area rugs have gained great popularity in interior design through the recent years. When it comes to the best interior design items at affordable prices, the area rugs are the ones to look for. With very easy maintenance and simple installation, the area rugs are the most preferred objects by the best Interior designers. Though the area rugs come in all shapes and sizes, not all of them are suitable for every home. There are certain factors that have to be taken into account for selecting the best area rug. Just keep reading on the article to know the 3 most wanted tips to choose the best area rug that perfectly suits your requirements.

1. Selection of the material

From cozy wool to stylish bamboo, the area rugs are made out of different types of materials. There are area rugs that come with a Sisal-wool combination too. The main benefit of using such sisal-wool area rug is that they can be easily cleaned by using a conventional vacuum cleaner. Moreover, the sisal-wool area rugs have great sound absorbing capabilities too. Hence if your rooms produce much echo, the Sisal-Wool area rugs will be perfect for you. There are pure woolen area rugs if you love natural materials rather than synthetic ones. If you like to be environment friendly, then the woolen rugs are made for you. The added advantage of the woolen rug is that they are highly durable and can last for a lifetime in its entire splendor. When it comes to environment friendliness along with great looks and durability, the bamboo area rugs are the ones to look for. They are stain resistant and the bamboo area rug maintenance is very simple. There are other rugs like silk area rugs, Persian area rugs and so on.

2. The Size factor

Once the material of the area rug is chosen, next comes the size. The area rugs should perfectly fit the place where you are installing it. Hence before choosing the size of the area rug, you must first decide where to install it. The area rug size selection has to be done based on the spot where you choose to place the area rug. Most of the people make a mistake by buying the area rug and then searching for the best spot to place it.

3. The Price factor

When it comes to the area rugs there are very costly ones and very cheap ones. It’s always good to spend some time in the Internet before buying the area rug for your home. With a very high competition, the area rug sellers are offering great discounts now. For example, you will find an area rug for $750 at some place and moments later you will be able to find the same rug at a discounted price of around 600$ at some other place. However, along with the discounts comes the online scam. Hence you shouldn’t rush to buy an area rug by just seeing the discounted pricing. You should make sure that the source is genuine before you proceed with the purchase.

All the above mentioned tips will help you to choose the best suited area rug for your home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/3-great-tips-to-choose-the-best-area-rugs-for-your-home-707700.html

Thursday, June 18, 2009

How to Clean a Sisal Rug

Sisal rugs, derived from Agave Sisalana plant fibers in Central America, get stained, soiled and stepped on just like any other rug. Cleaning a sisal rug is easier than it looks—or sounds! (Sisal is pronounced see-szal or sai-szal.) Just bear in mind the following tips, and you too can have a sparkling clean yet ruggedly natural sisal rug.

Sisal is harvested and stripped for their durable fibers, thus making an extremely flexible, strong rug. But while your rug may be hearty, it can still be affected by external forces. When it comes to cleaning, clean your rug with care to avoid surface damage and uneven coloring. Don’t clean your rug with an excess amount of liquid; sisal rugs tend to shrink when this happens. Keep your rug away from moisture or areas high in humidity. The wetness can distort your area rug, warping it into a shadow of its former self. Instead, keep your rug in its current shape by lying it down in a dry place, preferably an area where spills are less likely to occur. If you spill on your area rug, clean it as quickly as possible by blotting it with a dry cloth and without rubbing the liquid into the fiber. Say you spill something that could stain—clean your sisal rug with a mild soap and water solution. Alternatively, you could a half vinegar half water solution, or try spot cleaning with a cleaning product recommended by your rug’s manufacturer. Dip the cloth in the soapy substance and blot the rug, but keep in mind to blot it dry afterwards. And remember to use a small amount at a time so your rug doesn’t absorb the liquid. Repeat on the underside of the rug if you need to.

Clean off dry materials like dirt by scraping them off with a blunt edge, like a wooden knife. Special cleaning powders for sisal rugs are useful as well. Remember to vacuum your rug regularly so you pick up accrued dirt and such right away. Vacuuming frequently also prolongs the life of the rug because dirt embedded into the rug can destroy the rug fibers. Even all the durability of a sisal rug can’t save itself from poor maintenance. If you’re truly concerned that your rug is looking less than perfect, many manufacturers suggest dry cleaning. Check with the manufacturer first, and be sure not to wet-shampoo or steam clean your rug! Again, all that excess wetness will pucker your rug into something unrecognizable. Sisal rug are tough, robust, and versatile—but only if you let them be. Spot clean when necessary and keep your sisal rug dry, and you’ll be enjoying it for years to come.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-clean-a-sisal-rug-227465.html

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Quality Area Rugs Transform a Room

Area rugs hold a lot of fascination for consumers, collectors, and interior decorators. Rugs are no longer limited to the traditional designs we were accustomed to in our childhood days. Currently, area rugs are being designed by new leading designers, architects, and famous fashion designers. Interior design firms have also jumped on board to lend their talent and vision to the creation of attractive carpets. People are beginning to complain that wall-to-wall carpeting is dull and insipid and mostly seen in neutral colors. With wall-to-wall carpeting, the rooms continue to look empty. It is believed that a carefully selected area rug will add value to all the artwork, furniture, and all other articles in the room without highlighting vacant space. There cannot be two opinions that area rugs can transform floor space instantly. By using an area rug you can define an area, create false walls, and define hallways. By using different color area rugs you can divide a large room into separate spaces.

There are three general types of area rug available in the market.

Hand-knotted rugs the quality and price of these rugs are determined by the quality of the wool used; the number of knots per square inch; and the wash. Machine made – this type of area rugs is as the name specifies – made by machine and not hand-made. Hand-tufted – this kind of rug consists of yarn forced into a grid followed by an application of latex or fabric backing. Present day area rugs are typically designed in modern styles, although there is an abundance of patterns to select from. Regardless of your budget, you are sure to find contemporary rugs to fit in with your area rug decorating ideas. Area rugs are fairly easy to maintain and there are many styles, textures, materials and sizes to choose from.

There are three different styles of rugs – Casual Floral, Color and Modern. Casual Floral are said to provide the ambience for a comfortable, relaxed traditional setting. Color rugs are of a bold patterned type that can add spice to your space. Modern rugs are of a trendy style and now widely sold. Persian rugs continue to be rated as the best rugs on earth. The matchless superiority of the Persian rugs are due to their strikingly rich vivid colors, enchanting designs, high knot count resulting in a tighter weave and high quality of materials like wool, silk and dyes.

If it is your intention to transform your room quickly and without spending much, consider using an area rug. An area rug is a brilliant way to instantly warm the room up too. Before buying an area rug, decide what you will use the rug for and how you propose blending the area rug with the existing décor of the room.

You can place a small rug on a tabletop or other elevated area for a unique touch. Framing and hanging area rugs on walls well add a touch of class to your interior. Of course, you can use area rug on the floor in places such as in front of a fireplace or in a small passageway thereby adding a touch of warmth and coziness to the ambience. If you accustomed to changing your room decor often, then choose synthetic rugs — polypropylene or nylon rugs which water proof and UV-resistant. If you are environment-conscious, opt for plant-based fibers such as sisal, jute, and bamboo that are not only biodegradable but made from renewable resources.

Tag : rugs,floor rugs,rugs decor,area rugs

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/quality-area-rugs-transform-a-room-606635.html

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Area Rugs Online

If you want to update the look and ambience of your home and office, you might want to consider buying area rugs.

Rugs create a warm and inviting space in any room, providing style, comfort and ambience with minimal effort. Popular choices of carpet and rugs in America are those made from natural Oriental materials such as seagrass, sisal and jute. These materials are appealing since they are affordable, sturdy and easy to maintain.

There are online stores that sell area rugs, offering designer quality at an affordable price. Choose from Persian, Oriental or modern materials. There are a variety of patterns and designs with a large array of pleasing colors available. Custom-made rugs can also be purchased online.

Area and accent rugs are the top choice of interior decorators to lend a casual and relaxed aura to a space. Popular fibers that are used come from plants that grow in Brazil, Africa, Asia and Mexico.

The use of natural fibers in flooring, such as area rugs, provides a modern appeal to your home. There are various area rug options to fit your particular needs.

You can choose from a vast array of mountain grass rugs or other natural materials for your rugs. They come in all sizes and shapes for each area in your home. You may place them in the bedroom, sitting area and kitchen to add style and class. There are also various shapes of rugs to choose from oval, round, rectangular and rug runners.

Before deciding on the area rug that is perfect for your home, consider its price and durability. Consult the Internet for a list of online stores that sell high-quality affordable area rugs.

Area Rugs provides detailed information on Area Rugs, Discount Area Rugs, Cheap Area Rugs, Contemporary Area Rugs and more. Area Rugs is affiliated with Contemporary Wool Rugs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Sturo

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Texture in Plush Rugs and Carpets

Improving your home builds equity. Yet when you improve your home, you want to add quality to get the most equity, since price verses quality is important. If you purchase cheap materials they may not last long, which as the fabrics start to wear, it will not look good in your home. While shag rugs are near obsolete, these carpets are still sold on the market today. Shag carpets offered today give you choice of colors and styles.

Shag carpets are often installed wall-to-wall. This is a thick, plush, pile carpet style with focal points, the focal point. The focal points, includes texture, design colors, density, height, piles. Most people choose neutral colors when opting to buy shag or plush carpets.

Shag rugs come in the 3-inch thick textures. Flokati, Stain Master and various companies create the shag rugs. One of the highest-grade shags is made by Samson. The carpets are made of polyesters blended with specks of many colors. You can choose colors and textures. The 3-inch is the tallest pile, which you can order the rugs online. The companies offer these rugs are located in Dalton, Georgia.

Shags come in a variety of colors from gray, burgundy, hunter, purples, black and so on. Some carpets have square, rectangular, round, U-shapes, octagonal, or other styles that give you options. The multi-colored shags are made of nylon and polypropylene with blends of polyester.

When choosing shags style and colors are important, since you want to coordinate the patterns to fit your room. Shag rugs are often durable, versatile yet the style will wear under heavy traffic. When you consider the patterns to fit your room, make sure that you consider a room with less traffic. Shag carpets give you the option of changing patterns and texture, as well as colors to fit your moods or the time of year. You can install wall-to-wall shags, or the carpets that allow you to roll them up and move them to another area.

Shag rugs compliment most furnishings and wall patterns. Shag rugs give you a couple of options, since you can install smaller shags in rooms where traffic is heavy and larger shags in rooms where traffic is less. Throw shags can help protect hardwood floors.

Shag area rugs are another style of rug sold by some of the top manufacturers. You can find these carpets at most Mills, Home Improvement stores, or over the Internet. These carpets save energy. Energy is saved since the carpets thickness provides your home warmth, comfort, etc. Shag area rugs give you the option of covering your wall also, which helps to save energy. Wall shags make nice trimmers.

Shag rugs, such as the area carpets last, since the fabrics offer you protection against heavy traffic.

About other rugs:
Other types of rugs, include machine-made rugs, wool-hand tuft, braided, hooked, flat weave, luxury area, wool-hand knotted, Sisal and Flokati carpets, outdoor, Tibetan, traditional, modern, oriental, transitional, contemporary and so on.

How to find rugs:
You will find any type of rug or carpet to your liking on the Internet. Many stores sell some of the top brands. One of the top selling stores is Decora-Rugs. This is a top seller since the store offers you a wider variety than some of the other stores. This store sells shag area rugs and standard shag rugs as well. You have a choice from Arose collections sold from the Surya Company. The store offers a collection of chameleon olives, multi-color, gold's and so on. These rugs are the top of the line Feizy area shags.

About The Author:
Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Choose the Best Oriental Karastan Rug

If you want to add more life to your flooring, you might probably consider using pieces of Oriental area rugs. But how would you determine the difference of a genuine rug from the other one that looks like one? Knowing some basics about rugs could help you a lot in this endeavor. Once you have a better understanding on quality rugs, you will have more chances of purchasing the best pieces, right for your taste and your existing floor layout.

Here are some things to remember while you shop for your pieces of Oriental area rugs.

1. Composition
- Rug fibers are usually made up of wool from moderate to upper end.
- Rugs made out of cotton, sisal, and sea grass are classified as moderate.
- Synthetic fibers like the acrylic, polyester, nylon, and even olefin are found in economical rugs.
- Most rugs that are resistant to stains contain these synthetic fibers but are not that luxurious and soft.
- Rugs made of natural fiber are prone to staining especially when spots are not immediately cleaned.

2. Quality
- Quality of the rugs largely depends on the kind of dye used.
- Fine wools are dyed with roots of plants, vegetable, and fruits.
- Synthetic dyes are being used to color cheaper wools.
- Focus on the fiber and check its integrity and make sure it's not unraveling.
- Very fine wool of fiber often appears soft like silk if you are inexperienced in checking quality rugs.

3. Handmade or Machine-made
- If you see a clear pattern in the back portion, the rug is hand-made.
- A machine-made Karastan rug is done using interlocked unit to ensure durability while getting a look of a hand-knotted rug.

Beware: Handmade rugs having cloth backings might be hiding flaws. Also, a rug with glue backings tends to wear out when it is moved or cleaned.

If you are still unsure, you should check the back portion of the rug and look at the fringe. If it is sewn, it's not an original piece of an oriental rug.

Basically, the border of an original piece of Oriental rug comes straight out of the material being part of the loom rather than sewn afterwards. A genuine piece can be easily checked by looking at its price. Hand-knotted rugs differ roughly twice higher than hand-tufted rugs.

Introducing Karastan Rugs

Karastan started its business on oriental rugs on 1928 in Leakesville, North Carolina. The company rolled off its first oriental rug, called Axminster loom, in 1933 in a World Fair held in Chicago. It was used to cover the whole flooring. This loom is considered to be one of the best of its kind that buyers started to notice a handmade rug is no different than machine-made rug. Approximately, 5 million people crushed their feet into the stylish rug. Mr. Field managed to divide the whole thing into two, making the first half of the rug a sample. He had it cleaned, and the other half was used to simply show that even after a very heavy traffic, a Karastan oriental rug was still durable and elegant. Indeed, Karastan rugs have surpassed the test of time.

Investing your money with Karastan rugs is not expensive at all. Instead, you save on a lot of money while you enjoy seeing your home being touched by elegance for years to come.

About The Author:
For additional information about Karastan , click on Area Rugs Club and see the variety of Karastan rugs you may want to own.

http://www.articleclick.com

Monday, May 9, 2011

A Consumer's Guide to Oriental Rug Care

Area rugs have gained significant market share over the past decade. As more consumers remove carpeting in favor of hard surfaces such as wood, ceramic tile, laminates, and stone, rug ownership in the US has skyrocketed. Ken Snow, President of The Original Hagopian, a flooring and rug retailer and cleaning company in Michigan says: "We sell and maintain carpet, wood, laminate flooring, and Area rugs. We've noticed a proportional increase in rug sales and a general decline in wall-to-wall carpet sales over the past decade." Snow continues: "Consumers love the beauty and resilience of hard floors, but still want aesthetic contrast in color and texture as well as a bit of warmth and softness under their feet. Because of these needs, area rugs are the perfect companion to hard flooring surfaces."

Considerations

With more rugs in homes and businesses, cleaning and maintaining them has become a growing concern amongst consumers. Before delving into proper care, it's important to identify the basic construction of the rug. There are two main categories of rugs: Synthetic and Natural. There are also rugs which are created with both synthetic and natural materials and these are referred to as "Blends". Cleaning and caring for synthetic rugs is very similar to Cleaning and caring for installed carpet, so for purposes of this Consumer's Guide to Oriental rug care we'll stick with Oriental-style rugs constructed of natural materials.

When discussing synthetic and natural rugs, it's important to understand that the face fibers (the "up" side of the rug) or foundation/backing may be synthetic, natural, or both. For example, a "Wool rug" usually describes the face fibers; however the backing may be synthetic or natural. Both the backing and face fibers are of equal concern to the Oriental rug cleaner. It's safer to clean any rug with the Cleaning solution and method designed for the most sensitive part of the rug. Generally speaking, synthetic materials aren't as sensitive as natural materials. Therefore in the "Wool rug" example above, even if the rug has a synthetic backing, it's safer to treat the entire rug as a Wool rug. More about Cleaning solutions and methods below.

rug Construction

Wool is the most popular naturally-constructed material found in the face fibers of Oriental style rugs. Other natural rug face fiber materials consist of cotton, silk, grass (sisal, jute), animal skins, and even obscure materials including leather and paper. If you are the owner of an animal skin, silk, grass, leather, or paper rug, I highly suggest you send your rug to a qualified Oriental rug cleaning company for proper Cleaning. These rugs are extremely difficult to clean by consumers and permanent damage will occur if cleaned improperly.

Dry Soil Removal

A high quality Oriental rug should last a lifetime and the best way to help it last a lifetime is by vacuuming often. How often depends on usage. Generally speaking once a week is often enough, however if pets walk on the rug or the rug receives a high amount of foot traffic, vacuuming once or twice a day may be required. Dense Oriental rugs have a tendency to hide micro-soiling and sand that builds up in the foundation. Over time these fine dry soils will prematurely wear the rug.

Lesser quality rugs, especially some hand-tufted inexpensive rugs, (usually made in China, Pakistan and India) may shed face fibers quite a bit during vacuuming. This is normal for this type of rug. Unfortunately these inexpensive Oriental rugs will probably not last a lifetime unless not walked on.

Fringe care

If your rug has fringe, please do NOT use a vacuum with a beater bar attached to it. Instead either gently brush the fringe with a brush designed for fringe, or use an attachment on your vacuum without a beater bar to remove dry soil from fringe. As the owner of a rug cleaning company with well over 10,000 rug cleanings successfully completed, the number one complaint we see from consumers is premature fringe wear caused by the consumer vacuuming the fringe with a beater bar.

Spot and Spill Cleanup

Inevitably there will come a time that you spill something on your Oriental rug or notice a spot from something that was tracked in on it. It's best to immediately blot or scoop up the excess spot or spill, if possible. I recommend using a dry WHITE cotton terry towel or white paper towels to remove the majority of the spot or spill. If you choose a towel that is not white, there is a strong possibility the color of the towel will transfer to the rug.

Before using ANY spot cleaner on a rug (including merely water), it's best to test in a small and inconspicuous Area. Unfortunately there may not be an inconspicuous Area to test, especially on a smaller rug. If this is the case test it near the edge of the rug since it's usually less noticeable than the center if the test reveals color loss or texture change. If you notice a color change, bleeding, or texture change, STOP and call a professional qualified rug Cleaning company for assistance.

After blotting and testing according to the instructions above, first attempt to remove any remaining spot with tap water. Do not soak the rug. Simply dampen a white terry towel or paper towel with water and blot, never rub. If you don't notice any improvement, the safest solution to use as a general spot cleaner is to mix 32 oz of tap water and 1 teaspoon of liquid Dawn or Ivory hand dishwashing soap. Do NOT use automatic dishwasher soap or laundry detergents as many of these products contain optical brighteners or harsh chemicals that may ruin the rug.

Cleaning

Dry soil and spot removal are important maintenance steps to take between thorough cleanings, but Oriental rugs do need to be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. Generally speaking cleaning the entire rug once a year is sufficient, but if the rug has a lot of foot traffic, is susceptible to spills and spots, or pets and kids use the rug often, the rug may need to be thoroughly cleaned every 3 to 6 months. There are several ways to clean a rug and it's well beyond the scope of this Consumer's Guide to determine the best method in every case. Having said this, the most thorough cleaning is accomplished by the Immersion Method. Immersion is accomplished by scrubbing the rug under water and safely wringing out the excess water and soil with a roller system, speed drying the rug, and addressing the fringe. I do not suggest consumers attempt to Immerse their Oriental rugs due to the many complications that can arise including bleeding, foundation shrinkage, degradation from being wet too long, and many other concerns. Please check online at IICRC Locate-a-Pro Website to locate a qualified professional rug cleaner.

Rug Padding

High quality Oriental rugs are built extremely strong and can endure many years of use. To help rugs last even longer, help make them softer on the feet, and to provide in-place stability, the use of a high quality rug pad is highly recommended. There are several types of rug pads to consider and the selection of the right pad is dependent on the surface the rug will cover and thickness of the rug.

Conclusion

When properly maintained, high quality Oriental rugs provide a lifetime of beauty and use. By following the steps above your Oriental rug should last forever. If you have any questions about proper Oriental rug care, please contact me via email at the address below.

Tag : rugs,oriental rugs,rug care,consumer,area rugs

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Area Rugs Will Add That Special Look And Feel To Your Home

Decorating with area rugs is one of the easiest ways to update, revitalize and beautify your home. Rugs can add dramatic color and design to every room; create a focal point or define areas; add warmth to the look and feel of tiles, stone, or concrete; protect hardwood floors or wall-to-wall carpeting; and tie elements of a room together. You can change rugs when the seasons change and take them with you if you move. It is not surprising that area rugs are of great interest to the do-it-yourself decorator.

Some Things to Think About

Color is probably the most important element in decorating and should top the list of your requirements when selecting area rugs. If a room has a lot of bright colors and looks very busy, choose a neutral color and a subtle design for the rug. If the colors of the room are soft and neutral, you can add a splash of color and interest with a bright rug and a dramatic design. If you want to enhance the color scheme that exists in a room, select a rug that repeats the dominant or accent colors; if the color scheme hasn’t been chosen, buy the rug of your dreams and decorate the room around it.

The pattern on the rug must not clash with patterns on the wallpaper, window coverings, cushions, and other fabrics in the room. Dark colors add warmth, and light colors will make the room appear more spacious. The amount of traffic is also a consideration. If there are children or pets, or the rug will get steady use, dark colors and intricate patterns will not show dirt as much or as quickly as light colors.

If you buy a rug for the bathroom, make sure the colors are compatible with the color of the bathmat. (Or buy a new bathmat.) It is also important that a rug in the bathroom not be adversely affected by moisture especially if it will be underfoot when you step out of the shower or bath. Maintenance is an important consideration when choosing rugs not only for the bathroom, but also the kitchen, the hall, or the room of a child. Select designs and colors that don’t show the dirt, and are stain resistant and easy to clean.

It is a good idea to add padding under a rug because it will not only keep the rug from moving, it will also extend its life, absorb sound, and make vacuuming easier. If you are placing a rug over wall-to-wall carpeting, choose a thin under-pad coated with an adhesive.

Check the Size You Need

If you want an area rug to cover most of the floor in a room, the same amount of bare floor should be exposed on all sides of the rug, even if the room is an irregular shape or there is a closet or fireplace extending into it. If you are not able to arrange that, try and have the same amount of floor showing on two parallel sides.

When defining an area – a conversational grouping, for instance – there should be no more than two feet of empty rug extending out from behind the furniture. A rug used in this fashion will unify the items placed around it if the rug is large enough to accommodate at least the front legs of each piece of furniture.

If you are going to place a large rug in the bedroom, it need not be centered but the same amount of floor should be visible on two or three sides of it. In the dining room, the rug should extend eighteen inches to twenty-four inches beyond the table. An eight- by ten-foot rug will work in most living rooms and dining rooms. A six- by four-foot or a six- by nine-foot rug will be fine if it is for a small area, such as under a coffee table, in which case, the entire coffee table should be on it and all other furniture set back from it at an equal distance.

If you have trouble visualizing what a rug will look like in a room and can’t decide what size would be best, use masking tape to define the space. If that doesn’t help, cut pieces from a paper roll or lay out bed sheets to cover the area before you decide what size to buy. You don’t want any surprises.

Create Special Effects

If a rug is to be the focal point of a room, consider purchasing one with a central medallion, which is a popular design for an oriental rug. If the medallion will be hidden for the most part by a piece of furniture – the dining room table or a bed, for example – forget the medallion and select a rug that has an allover design, or one with detail on its borders.

Oriental rugs – a term which refers, in decorating lingo, to rugs from any Asian country – are popular in modern as well as traditional homes. Expect to pay more for an imported Persian rug, considered by many to be superior to all other oriental rugs. Tibetan rugs are also a beautiful and popular choice and not as expensive, or you can choose a rug from Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, China, or from many other Asian countries.

If the room has an early American theme, a round braided rug, popular since the early settlement of North America, will probably be very suitable. Using a Navajo rug, with its geometric designs and flat weave, can reinforce a southern or desert theme. If your tastes run more to the comfort and appeal of animal fur or wool, forget the tiger skin and look for a flokati rug – a hand-woven Greek woolen rug with a thick, shaggy pile – it may create just the look you want.

Contemporary rugs come in every variety of color, design, texture, size, and price. Don’t overlook them when you are searching for the perfect area rugs, even if your house is decorated in a traditional style. Just as a traditional rug can look great in a modern home, a contemporary rug can add to the appeal and charm of a traditional home. Let your creative spirit soar – and make sure the rug can be returned or exchanged in case you discover your creative spirit soared in the wrong direction.

Cost is a Consideration

The cost of a home rug is closely related to the fiber from which it is made. The most expensive natural fiber will be found in a wool rug; other less expensive natural fibers are cotton, jute, silk and sisal (hemp). Popular synthetics favored for quality rugs are acrylic, polypropylene (olefin), and nylon.

If you are on a tight budget, look for discount and bargain outlets, but be sure the dealer is reputable, there is a wide selection, and check the warranty and the return policy before you buy.

Area rugs are available in a wide variety of styles, and there are sizes to fit every room and prices to fit every budget. Shop until you find exactly what you want.

About the Author:
Scott Gray is currently a freelance writer and enjoys providing tips to consumers who are in the market for all types of cheap area rugs, contemporary rugs, and persian rugs.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Oriental Rug Cleaning - Choosing the Right Professional Area Rug Cleaning Company

You want to have your fine Oriental area rug looking great for many years to come, to enjoy its beauty and intricate design. The key to your area rug looking its best is to properly care for it, insuring your enjoyment and pleasure for generations. Oriental area rug experts uniformly agree that the best and most appropriate method of cleaning an Oriental area rug is to hand wash it in water and without harsh chemicals. This simple, yet effective method of cleaning has been used for centuries. Although time consuming, it certainly is well worth the effort.

Professionally washing your treasured Oriental area rug is your best assurance for its protection and longevity. Over time, soil, dirt, dust and sand accumulate in your rug, hasten wear and damage the fibers. Eventually, such a rug environment becomes very attractive to mold and moth larvae.

Although regular vacuuming is important to the health of your Oriental rug, it does not take the place of professional cleaning. A true professional Oriental area rug cleaner will not take chances with your valuable and valued rug. He will not expose your lovely rug to harsh chemicals or machine washing. Such delicate work must be done by hand by an experienced, well trained and professional rug cleaner that knows the differences in rug fibers, dyes and methods of production.

To choose the proper professional Oriental rug cleaners, there are certain questions you should ask. Listen carefully to the answers given, to make sure your rug will get the best and most appropriate care.

Questions to Ask an Area Rug Cleaner:

How long have you been in business, cleaning oriental, Persian and other fine rugs?

It is best to choose companies that have been in business for over 10 years and are focused on cleaning oriental, Persian and other fine rugs. Cleaning and repairing Oriental rugs is a combination of art and science and it takes time to acquire such fine expertise. There are quite a few carpet cleaning companies, dry cleaners, and other non professional businesses who claim to clean oriental rugs, but in any metropolitan area, there is only a limited number of companies that are truly specialized and qualified to do this type of work.

How much experience do the area rug cleaning professionals on your staff have?

Professional area rug cleaning businesses must have people experienced in cleaning as well as repair for over 3 to 5 years.

What specific training and certifications do your area rug cleaning professionals have? Do you have Certified Rug Cleaning Specialists certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)?

Certified Rug Cleaning Specialists must complete rigorous training and practice. They are trained in specific techniques that are applicable for each specific type of rug based on material (Wool, Silk, Sisal), design (Oriental, Modern, Transitional) or country of origin (such as Persia, India, China), and whether it is a machine made or handmade rug. Acquiring this certification is costly and shows that the company is serious about their business.

Are you a member, in good standing, of the BBB (Better Business Bureau)?

Any reputable service company would register with the Better Business Bureau.

Is your company insured and bonded?

Area rugs may have high sentimental and monetary value. You want to make sure that while your rug is in the possession of the rug cleaning company, you are protected against the rug being stolen or damaged.

What steps are included in the cost of your service?

Typical steps should include inspection, dusting, cleaning, grooming and drying. Some companies have additional services they offer, such as moth repellent, fabric protector, custom rug pad installation, area rug repair and restoration.

What type of equipment do you use to clean area rugs?

While methods of cleaning depend on your particular rug, professional companies invest heavily in professional equipment. They typically have specialized dusting equipment, specialized drying facilities, as well as specialized washing equipment. Stay away from regular carpet cleaning companies who will just hose down your rug on the concrete floor and apply harsh chemicals. Even if it will not damage your rug, it certainly will not clean it.

Do you move furniture as part of the service cost? If so, are any pieces of furniture not typically moved?

Rugs can be damaged if heavy furniture is moved incorrectly.

Do you offer pick up and delivery? If so, does that service cover my zip code? How much does it cost?

Oriental rugs may be pretty heavy and not easy to transport. Typically, rug cleaning companies arrange the pickup and delivery. Some companies pick up and deliver free of charge.

Do you provide a guarantee for your service?

You want to make sure you rug will not be damaged. Make sure that company stands behind its promises.

Do you provide an in home quote prior to cleaning area rugs? Will that estimate be in writing? What issues might cause that estimate to increase or decrease?

Professional rug cleaners must provide an approximate quote before they pick up your rug. While the price may increase or decrease based on a further careful evaluation at the rug cleaning plant, you must be notified about it as soon as possible.

What method of area rug cleaning do you recommend for my rug?

Give the professional rug cleaner as much information as you can about our area rug: the fiber it is made of (Wool, Silk, Sisal, Nylon.. ), country of origin, whether it is handmade or machine made. The more information you provide the rug cleaning company, the more specific and comprehensive the cleaning plan for your rug will be.

Can your process and equipment remove urine, dust, stains from my area rugs?

Specify what kind of contamination you have on your rug. Don't worry about saying words like dog urine, spills, dirt, dust or anything else that may be on your rug. Professional rug cleaners are trained experts and they would be able to tell you what they can and cannot clean. Professional area rug cleaning might be able to remove dust, dirt, odors, urine and stains. A professional rug cleaner must be up front with you about what he can and cannot do.

Do you offer rug repairs?

Professional rug cleaners are very likely to offer rug repairs as part of their services. Stay away from companies that don't provide this service. This may signal that they are not specialized Oriental rug cleaning experts. Professional rug repairs might include fringe repair, edge serging, edge binding, rug patching and rug reweaving.

When you have complete and satisfactory answers to the above questions, chances are you have found a quality Oriental area rug cleaning professional. Once you schedule an area rug cleaning and find it satisfactory, schedule a regular cleaning session once every year or so, depending on foot traffic and general abuse your Oriental area rug is subjected to.

Oriental area rugs are sturdier than you may think. They do need periodic washing, vacuuming and rotating to prevent uneven wear and sunlight damage. However, as you care for and maintain your Oriental rug, you will enjoy the results for a lifetime.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Oriental Rug Cleaning - Choosing the Right Professional Area Rug Cleaning Company

You want to have your fine Oriental area rug looking great for many years to come, to enjoy its beauty and intricate design. The key to your area rug looking its best is to properly care for it, insuring your enjoyment and pleasure for generations. Oriental area rug experts uniformly agree that the best and most appropriate method of cleaning an Oriental area rug is to hand wash it in water and without harsh chemicals. This simple, yet effective method of cleaning has been used for centuries. Although time consuming, it certainly is well worth the effort.

Professionally washing your treasured Oriental area rug is your best assurance for its protection and longevity. Over time, soil, dirt, dust and sand accumulate in your rug, hasten wear and damage the fibers. Eventually, such a rug environment becomes very attractive to mold and moth larvae.

Although regular vacuuming is important to the health of your Oriental rug, it does not take the place of professional cleaning. A true professional Oriental area rug cleaner will not take chances with your valuable and valued rug. He will not expose your lovely rug to harsh chemicals or machine washing. Such delicate work must be done by hand by an experienced, well trained and professional rug cleaner that knows the differences in rug fibers, dyes and methods of production.

To choose the proper professional Oriental rug cleaners, there are certain questions you should ask. Listen carefully to the answers given, to make sure your rug will get the best and most appropriate care.

Questions to Ask an Area Rug Cleaner:

How long have you been in business, cleaning oriental, Persian and other fine rugs?

It is best to choose companies that have been in business for over 10 years and are focused on cleaning oriental, Persian and other fine rugs. Cleaning and repairing Oriental rugs is a combination of art and science and it takes time to acquire such fine expertise. There are quite a few carpet cleaning companies, dry cleaners, and other non professional businesses who claim to clean oriental rugs, but in any metropolitan area, there is only a limited number of companies that are truly specialized and qualified to do this type of work.

How much experience do the area rug cleaning professionals on your staff have?

Professional area rug cleaning businesses must have people experienced in cleaning as well as repair for over 3 to 5 years.

What specific training and certifications do your area rug cleaning professionals have? Do you have Certified Rug Cleaning Specialists certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)?

Certified Rug Cleaning Specialists must complete rigorous training and practice. They are trained in specific techniques that are applicable for each specific type of rug based on material (Wool, Silk, Sisal), design (Oriental, Modern, Transitional) or country of origin (such as Persia, India, China), and whether it is a machine made or handmade rug. Acquiring this certification is costly and shows that the company is serious about their business.

Are you a member, in good standing, of the BBB (Better Business Bureau)?

Any reputable service company would register with the Better Business Bureau.

Is your company insured and bonded?

Area rugs may have high sentimental and monetary value. You want to make sure that while your rug is in the possession of the rug cleaning company, you are protected against the rug being stolen or damaged.

What steps are included in the cost of your service?

Typical steps should include inspection, dusting, cleaning, grooming and drying. Some companies have additional services they offer, such as moth repellent, fabric protector, custom rug pad installation, area rug repair and restoration.

What type of equipment do you use to clean area rugs?

While methods of cleaning depend on your particular rug, professional companies invest heavily in professional equipment. They typically have specialized dusting equipment, specialized drying facilities, as well as specialized washing equipment. Stay away from regular carpet cleaning companies who will just hose down your rug on the concrete floor and apply harsh chemicals. Even if it will not damage your rug, it certainly will not clean it.

Do you move furniture as part of the service cost? If so, are any pieces of furniture not typically moved?

Rugs can be damaged if heavy furniture is moved incorrectly.

Do you offer pick up and delivery? If so, does that service cover my zip code? How much does it cost?

Oriental rugs may be pretty heavy and not easy to transport. Typically, rug cleaning companies arrange the pickup and delivery. Some companies pick up and deliver free of charge.

Do you provide a guarantee for your service?

You want to make sure you rug will not be damaged. Make sure that company stands behind its promises.

Do you provide an in home quote prior to cleaning area rugs? Will that estimate be in writing? What issues might cause that estimate to increase or decrease?

Professional rug cleaners must provide an approximate quote before they pick up your rug. While the price may increase or decrease based on a further careful evaluation at the rug cleaning plant, you must be notified about it as soon as possible.

What method of area rug cleaning do you recommend for my rug?

Give the professional rug cleaner as much information as you can about our area rug: the fiber it is made of (Wool, Silk, Sisal, Nylon.. ), country of origin, whether it is handmade or machine made. The more information you provide the rug cleaning company, the more specific and comprehensive the cleaning plan for your rug will be.

Can your process and equipment remove urine, dust, stains from my area rugs?

Specify what kind of contamination you have on your rug. Don't worry about saying words like dog urine, spills, dirt, dust or anything else that may be on your rug. Professional rug cleaners are trained experts and they would be able to tell you what they can and cannot clean. Professional area rug cleaning might be able to remove dust, dirt, odors, urine and stains. A professional rug cleaner must be up front with you about what he can and cannot do.

Do you offer rug repairs?

Professional rug cleaners are very likely to offer rug repairs as part of their services. Stay away from companies that don't provide this service. This may signal that they are not specialized Oriental rug cleaning experts. Professional rug repairs might include fringe repair, edge serging, edge binding, rug patching and rug reweaving.

When you have complete and satisfactory answers to the above questions, chances are you have found a quality Oriental area rug cleaning professional. Once you schedule an area rug cleaning and find it satisfactory, schedule a regular cleaning session once every year or so, depending on foot traffic and general abuse your Oriental area rug is subjected to.

Oriental area rugs are sturdier than you may think. They do need periodic washing, vacuuming and rotating to prevent uneven wear and sunlight damage. However, as you care for and maintain your Oriental rug, you will enjoy the results for a lifetime.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shane_Hobbs