Area rug mishaps will happen. Enthusiastic dogs will romp around on the New Zealand wool. Children will use an orchid flower as a coaster for their grape juice. Significant others will absent mindedly forget to remove their soccer cleats.

You’ve spent a lot of time and effort to find the perfect area rug. Naturally, you want to enjoy it for as long as possible. So how can you best preserve your rug for years to come?

Pets

Keep your pets’ nails trimmed so they don’t tug the fibers. Use enzymatic cleaners to clean up any pet accidents.

Spills

Clean up spills as soon as they happen. Use an absorbent towel to remove the liquid and scrape off any remaining material. Then use a carpet cleaning spray to remove the stain.

Dirt

Try to keep shoes off the rug. Vacuum regularly to prevent dirt from building up and being ground into the carpet. If dirt is allowed to build up it can become difficult to remove.

Fading and Wear

If your rug is exposed to direct sunlight, try closing your blinds during that time of day to minimize fading. Keep an eye out for loose threads, and trim them close to the surface to minimize pulling. If you see traffic patterns start to appear, try rotating the rug regularly to minimize uneven wear.