Carpets, rugs and living spaces

Carpets and rugs add character to the room. When choosing carpets for your home make sure you choose the right kind. Keep in mind that the carpet should obviously complement your walls and decor, and should be easy to maintain. Originally, carpets and rugs were made from wool or cotton. Today, you have a choice between several natural or synthetic fibres. So how do you know what to buy? It all depends on how much traffic the area will receive, how easy the rug is to maintain and, of course, how much you're willing to spend.

Natural fibres

Wool can be dyed easily, is durable, soft, and easy to clean. Cotton is softer than wool but less durable. Jute is probably the softest of all natural fibres. When exposed to direct sunlight, jute may fade or darken in colour. With prolonged exposure to moisture, the fibre disintegrates.

Synthetic fibres

Acrylic is highly resistant to sunlight, stains and mildew. You'll mostly find acrylic fibres in bath mats and rugs. Polypropylene is the most stain-resistant synthetic fibre in the market today. Polypropylene will repel water and stains. It is usually less expensive than other fibres. Nylon is versatile, durable, and easy to maintain and clean. It withstands heavy foot traffic too.

Irrespective of the fabric you decide to go with make sure you use a 'rug pad'. A rug pad is a fabric used below the carpet. This is a very critical piece of fabric as it helps keep the main carpet in position without sliding and wrinkling. The rug pad acts as a buffer and reduces the impact of footfalls.

During monsoons when there is extra moisture in the air, proper care of the carpets are recommended. The best thing would be to roll them up and put them into vinyl casings padded with naphthalene. However, it may not be a practical proposition. You might want to invest in synthetic fabrics as against natural fabric as they withstand moisture better. You may also check to see if the carpet has been sprayed with an anti-stain water repellant in the manufacturing process. You can achiever the same impact spraying the carpets after they are bought too. The most effective treatments are added as part of the manufacturing process. Finishes 'applied' later are not as longlasting. Heat setting is a manufacturing process that reinforces the twists of the yarn plies to add durability.

You will of course need to ensure you use foot mats at the entrance of the main door and bathrooms. Consider using rubber-backed foot mats here as these will trap dust from footwear and will be easy to clean. Carpet is available with stain-resistant fibres and finishes, welcome news to homes with children and pets.

Taking proper care of your carpet throughout the year will prolong its life and appearance. Vacuum your rug regularly to remove loose soil, taking special care when vacuuming fringe and edges. Have a professional deep clean your rug often, at least once in six to 12 months. Several cleaning methods will work, but to prevent rapid resoiling, it is important to completely remove any cleaning agents.