Posted on May 12, 2020 by Behnam Rugs

How to Store Persian Rugs

As beautiful as your Persian rug is, there will be times when you decide that it may be best to store your rug for a few days, weeks, months, or even years.

To make sure that your rug stays beautiful and free from moths or other hidden dangers, read the rug storing tips below.

1. First, have your rug dusted and washed by a professional rug cleaner. This step will ensure that your rug’s pile is free from moths, moth eggs, dust, and micro-dirt before storage. Avoid storing your rug in areas in which the rug will experience major swings in temperature and/or humidity levels. A non-climate controlled storage facility or an attic will have your rug sitting in summer high and winter low temperatures, which are not healthy for the fibers of your rug. Temperature and humidity changes can permanently affect your rug. Additionally, do not place your rug in an area where there is no airflow or natural light. Again, your attic, your basement, or a non-climate controlled storage unit are not ideal storage spots.
2. The next step is finding and selecting a proper storage area. Please do not store your rug in a closet, basement, or garage. We have seen far too many rugs that have been damaged due to improper storage. Moist areas are never a good idea for the storage of rugs, so we suggest a climate-controlled storage facility. Behnam Rugs offers rug storage options, but any climate-controlled storage facility will do. If you’d like to store your rug in your home, consider using a guest bedroom or an unused room as opposed to an attic or basement. This will lower the risk of damage from changes in temperature or humidity.
3. It is actually best to store your rug right on the floor. If possible, lay your rug on a table or shelf, placing a layer of cotton fabric between the rug and the table/shelf in order to keep the rug from soaking up the acids found in wood. The fabric usually is not absolutely necessary, unless you’ll be storing the rug for more than a year. Make sure to store the rug horizontally, as vertically storing your rug leads to bending and creases that can be permanent.

 Persian rugs are precious and should be stored as carefully as possible. Here, one of our team members has rolled a rug over a sturdy cardboard tube and covered it with a muslin cloth.

• You can fold your rugs, but if you do so, fold it softly and do not keep it folded for too long (no more than a few weeks). The folds could cause creases. We recommend rolling your rug if possible to avoid this issue.
• Find a cardboard tube that is longer than the rug is wide and use it to roll the rug up. If the rug’s foundation is strong enough, roll the rug with the pile in. Otherwise, roll it up with the pile facing out and the foundation facing in.
• Find a piece of muslin, then cover the rolled rug with it. This will protect the rug from insects, mice, dust, and direct light. If you do not have muslin, use an old bed sheet- any breathable fabric will do. Make sure the muslin or sheet is wide enough to cover the entire width of the rolled rug, then tuck it into the ends of the tube. You do not want any part of the rug exposed.
• Make sure the wrapping can be secured with wide ties, and tuck the edges of the material into the ends of the tube.
• If your rug is being stored or wrapped for a long period of time, check it periodically. We recommend checking on your rug at least once every year or so, to make sure there is no damage (such as dampness, holes, moths, etc.).  If the wrapping has become damp, remove the cloth, and check if the rug has also become wet or damaged. If the rug is wet, it is best to call a professional to wash and dry your rug at this point. However, if only the cover has become damp, launder the cloth and/or change the cloth, then re-wrap your rug.  While the rug is out in the open, you can air it out in the sun.  Always check for color fastness before putting your rug in the sun. For example, some Chinese rugs with pastel colors fade in the sun. You can always call us if you have any questions about your rug.

If you are worried that you may not store your rug properly, contact us here at Behnam Rugs. We can roll the rug for you or even store it here in our Dallas showroom. Give us a call. Watch this video to see how to properly roll or roll and fold for storage.