Though we see only the top surface of a rug, a lot goes in to its installation. As you may be aware, a rug is not just laid on top of a finished concrete or a wooden floor. Though one may do it, it is certainly not a desirable or an appropriate way of doing it. Well, if you come to think of it, having a properly laid rug pad of good quality is as important as the main rug.

In a number of ways you will be able to distinguish if a correct rug pad has been used in the desired way. The converse is also true, as an improperly laid rug of low quality doesn’t take long to get recognized, though in a different way!

There are three good reasons that make it important to use a quality rug pad.
It acts as a cushion between your expensive rug and the floor, meaning it shares a part of the load on the main rug thus adding years to its life. As the lower side of the rug is not coming in direct contact with the floor it bears less of friction thus reducing its wear and tear. If the rug-pad is not laid by you, keep a watch while it is being laid by some body else. Make sure that the rug-pad is of proper thickness and of appropriate size to hold the whole of the rug, from edge-to-edge. You may realize that once the rug is in its place, you have no means to find how accurately the pad was laid except by removing the entire rug, and that perhaps you would hate to do.

Apart from providing that cushioning effect to the rug and thus imparting it a longer life, a rug pad helps the main rug to better maintain its looks and symmetry. A proper pad ensures that the rug lays the way it should. A rug that doesn’t flush with the floor is an eyesore. Not only that, it may prove to be cause of an accident as an uneven rug often causes one to stumble on a piece of furniture, and God forbid on one of your delicate glass wares.

Last but no less important benefit of having a quality pad is the additional comfort it offers while you walk on the main rug by acting as a buffer between the rug and the floor beneath. The rug pad may be a couple of millimeters thick, yet you can feel the difference in the level of comfort, especially when you walk on the rug without shoes. .

Now that you know the role that a pad beneath the carpet plays to provide you additional comfort while prolonging life of your rug, won’t you take care to see that a quality pad is properly installed.

A good rug is expected to last a lifetime and we do come across rugs that have been handed over from one generation to the next. But, invariably such old treasures ten to lose their original color and beauty. However, a well looked after carpet would last longer without losing its original beauty. Here are some helpful hints, which go a long way in keeping your rug looking great all the time and thus add years to its life.

Never place a rug directly on the floor, especially not the cheap one. Make sure that you provide padding beneath, it irrespective of the kind of flooring you might have. The idea of having a rug-pad is to hold the rug more firmly and reduces its wear and tear by preventing it from in direct contact with floor. Depending on the material used for its making a rug may tend to get slippery at times on certain kinds of flooring. The thickness of rug-pad may be from 3-6 mm and its size should match that of the rug to withhold the latter completely. Periodically check the rug-pad and replace it as it wears out.

Like the wheels of your car, a rug needs to be rotated so that its surface wears out evenly. Wearing is caused by foot traffic and bright sun shine. If its position is left unchanged certain portions may get faded or worn out more than the other parts, thus making it lose its original brightness. Keep turning it by 180 degrees at periodic intervals. It may not be possible to turn around some of the rugs with designs that can only be viewed when the rug is in a particular position. That feature you may need to take into consideration at the time of purchase.

Frequent cleaning of your rug is as important as its turning. If you are unable to do it yourself, send it for dry-cleaning. That also helps to keep the bugs away.

Delicate rugs should not be vacuumed as it could prove to be harmful for its fibers because of the powerful suction. While drying a rug take care not to hang or drape it. Just lay it flat on the ground and ensure that it is not tramped upon while it is spread out for drying.

Rugs should be kept away from direct sun light. Use a curtain to save them from harsh sunlight that causes their colors to fade.

If you are required to shift a rug from one place to another, see that they are not folded; just roll them up for any shifting. Another precaution you need to take while shifting your house is to keep them on top of the rest of the baggage so that these do not get crushed. On relaying the rug, you may notice that its corners don’t sit flat on the floor. The best way to tackle the problem is by keeping a heavy object like a book or a brick over the corner. In due course of use any creases formed due to transportation will vanish.

In case you want to store away the rug for sometime, it’s advisable to get it cleaned professionally. As already mentioned, you may roll it over but not before you have kept a few mothballs in-between the layers. Finally cover it with a fabric that can breathe. Plastic covers are not healthy for a rug as such covers facilitate accumulation of moisture that may ruin the rug for ever.

You will agree such simple precautions and preventive measures are not difficult to follow. Just a slight effort at periodic intervals coupled with simple precautions would give it a long life and everlasting brightness.