We all know the struggle! Large area rugs are a pain to clean and maintain. If your area rugs are looking dingy, don’t fret! We’ve got the solution to getting them dirt-free, pet hair-free and smelling great!

Basic Area Rug Care

1) Vacuum: Make sure you vacuum your rugs regularly to remove any dirt that will wear out your rug. If your rug has a fringe, don’t vacuum the fringe! You could easily damage it.

2) Get rid of pet hair: Sometimes a vacuum won’t get out all the pet hair. Remove what’s left using a large brush. Brush in the direction of the nap of the rug. As an alternative, get out basic rubber cleaning gloves. Put them on and get them wet. Run your hands over the carpet, and all of the hair will stick to the gloves. When the gloves are covered in hair, simply rinse them.

3) Turn your rugs: Family members constantly stepping on the rug can cause wear and tear. Turn them a few times a year to even out the wear.

How to Care For Special Rugs

1) Sheepskin, fur, and hides: Get your hands on unscented talcum powder and sprinkle it over the rug. Allow it to sit for several hours. Brush the powder through the hair and then shake it out. Do this several times, depending on how long the hair is. Clean the back of the rug with warm soapy water and a cotton cloth. Rinse with a clean cloth and set the rug out to dry.

2) Handmade, oriental, and antique rugs: When vacuuming the rug, protect it by placing a piece of nylon screen over it and weighing it down with books. Then vacuum over the screen. As an alternative, you can place a piece of nylon mesh over the vacuum attachment and change the mesh as dirt accumulates. Have the rug professionally cleaned once a year. Rotate the rugs a few times a year and avoid direct exposure to sun, as it can fade the color.

3) Woven rugs: Check the rug for any stitching breaks before you clean. Check the label to see if it’s washable. If washable, place them in a zippered mesh laundry bag and wash in cool water on a gentle cycle. Tumble dry low. For large rugs, place them on a vinyl or concrete floor and sponge carpet-cleaning foam over them. Rub it in and rise or vacuum according to package directions. Allow it to dry completely before placing it back on the floor.

4) Sisal and grass rugs: Vacuum them often and remove the rug to vacuum underneath them. To clean stains, first protect the floor underneath with a plastic drop cloth and a towel. Scrub stains with a brush dipped in soapy water and rinse. Blot the rug until it’s as dry as possible. Allow the rug to dry completely before using it again.

Photos: Enlighten Me, Parviz Rug, The Daily Nest.

There are certain rules everyone seems to follow when decorating their home. These rules are never questioned, and people don’t feel comfortable doing things out of the ordinary because of these so-called rules. Most of the things you hear about decorating are guaranteed myths, and we’re here to tell you that you don’t have to follow along! Take a look at our top 7 decorating myths, and think outside the box!

1. Sofas Always Go Against a Wall

This has got to be the most bogus rule we’ve ever heard! You can put the sofa wherever you like! You don’t have to push it against a wall, put it where you think it will look good! Putting the sofa against the wall does give you a lot of floor space, but it also changes the flow and feel of a room if you angle it in a corner instead.

2. Low Light Hides Dirt

If the lighting in your room is dim, this can actually make the room look dirtier. If your furniture and decor is worn and old, and you don’t have much money to spend to replace it, try investing in more lights. A bright room looks newer and cleaner.

3. All Ceilings Must Be White

People usually paint their ceilings white because it opens up the room and adds more light. The lightest color in a room will always draw the eye. So, if your ceiling is bright white, it will draw people’s attention upwards. If your ceiling is darker in color, eyes will be drawn to other areas of the room.

4. Small Rooms Need Small Furniture

Having a few large pieces in a small room instead of many smaller pieces of furniture can be more efficient. A love seat and a chair with thin arms and backs can seat more people than two chairs in less space. Adding a day bed gives more sitting space, and it has storage underneath. The key is to minimize the amount of clutter in a small space.

5. Pick Rugs Last

The rug is always the base of your room design. Designers always pick the area rug first to define the palette of colors for the room. Basically, the area rug needs to tie the other colors of the room together. Buying the rug last makes it more difficult to find one that matches all your other furniture. Pick a rug first and build the rest of your room around that.

6. White Rooms Look Bigger

When people’s eyes move across a space, their eyes go from dark to light. Uniformity in color keeps your eyes steady. Walls that have different colors make your eye move between them to differentiate the distance between the walls. Basically, uniformity is the key that gives rooms a bigger feel.

7. In Decorating, There are Rules That Need to be Followed

Actually, professional decorators break rules all the time. Have fun, and be creative when decorating your home. Always remember that you’re never breaking any rules, only starting new trends.

Photos: West Wing, LPC Furniture, The Budget Decorator, Vissbiz.