How to Take a Rug Out of Storage
This blog is for rug owners who have been storing a rug for some time, and are now ready to take the rug out and bring it home. If you’re looking for tips on storing a rug safely, please read our blog on the topic.
Places you may have stored your rug include climate-controlled storage units, restoration warehouses, and rug showrooms. Never store your rug in an environment with smoke, strong odors, high humidity, or a lack of air circulation. The natural fibers rugs are made of, including wool, silk, and cotton, need oxygen. Rugs should therefore never be wrapped in materials that don’t breathe such as plastic. They do need to be wrapped in something to discourage pests and keep them clean. We recommend muslin or a bed-sheet.
Steps to Take Rug Out of a Climate Controlled Storage Unit
- Clean the Storage Unit
- Check the Rug for Moth Activity
- Check the Rug for Rodent Activity
- Feel for Damp Spots
- Outdoor Visual Inspection
- Professionally Clean the Rug
- Place the Rug in Your Home
You don’t want to open your rug in the unit if the unit is dirty. Look for droppings, which can indicate the presence of mice, rats, or destructive bugs. Examine the rug for moths and their eggs, which look like grains of rice. Feel the rug to make sure it’s not wet or damp. If it is, you may see mold or mildew. After inspection, we recommend professional rug cleaning. Professional rug cleaning ensures moth eggs are destroyed, removes dirt, odors, and sanitizes the rug. Regardless of whether there is rodent or insect activity, professional cleaning refreshes your rug so that you aren’t putting something musty and dirty in your home.
Don’t Want to Professionally Clean Your Rug?
If you do not want to have your rug professionally cleaned, make sure you vacuum the face and back of the rug a few times without using the beater brush extension. To make sure you’re not bringing moths, eggs, or larvae into your home, leave the rug outside in the sun for one day for the front and one day for the back of the rug. If you notice threadbare patches, mold, or areas chewed by mice, call Behnam Rugs at 972-733-0400 so that we may discuss your repair options with you.
If you stored your rug at a restoration warehouse or rug showroom, your rug should be in good condition when you pick it up. You won’t have to worry about pests, moisture buildup, or extreme temperatures that could damage your rug. Reputable restoration warehouses and rug showrooms make sure your rugs are in the same condition when you pick them up as when you brought them in. Use your own judgment to decide whether your rug needs professional cleaning after being stored in a warehouse or showroom. Visually inspect the rug for dirt, damage, or defects that weren’t there prior to storage.
What happens when you take your rug out of storage without climate control, such as a standard storage unit, attic, or basement?
While we hope you haven’t stored any valuable rugs in a space without temperature and humidity control, let’s address what to expect when you take a rug out of a less than ideal storage situation. High temperatures and humidity work together to create moisture, which is why we don’t recommend these storage options for fine rugs. These storage areas are often dark as well, and dark, damp, humid environments are mold’s favorite breeding ground.
If you’ve stored your rugs unprotected in a regular storage unit, attic, or basement for an extended period of time, expect your rug to be damaged. This damage can range from mold to color bleeding to disintegration. Be prepared to pay for restoration services if the rug is valuable and you want to salvage it. Bring it to a rug restoration and cleaning company, such as Behnam Rugs, immediately to mitigate the damage.
Final Tips
If your rug has been in storage while remodeling occurred, avoid placing it in a room with fresh paint or new wood varnish until these changes have settled and will not transfer odors or stains to your rug.
When transporting a rug to and from storage, avoid placing the rug in the back of a truck exposed to the air. Smog, pollen, and dirt will settle into your rug while you drive. To avoid these odors and pollutants, wrap your rug in plastic if it has to be transported in a truck bed. Do not leave the rug wrapped in plastic for longer than it takes to transport the rug. Rug padding should be discarded after four to five years. A clean rug needs a new pad to prevent odor transfer.
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