How long will my rug last?
A stylish, quality rug can be a fair-sized investment. This is especially true if you are in the market for a much larger rug or a handwoven rug made from more luxurious materials. When buying a rug, you may find yourself asking:
“How long is this rug going to last?”
We would love to be able to tell you that your rug will last you ‘X’ number of years, but unfortunately, the lifespan of your rug isn't a clear cut number. This all depends upon several different factors, including:
The type of rug you are buying
Where you are going to place the rug
How much footfall the rug will see
How much exposure the rug will get to sunlight
How likely the rug is to be subjected to dirt and spills
The style of rug and your expectations for its condition
The good thing is - once you understand the various factors that can make a rug last less time, you can mitigate these factors in order to help your rug last longer. In this guide, we are going to walk you through the various aspects that come into play when it comes to rug longevity. It’s just a short read - but it could drastically increase the lifespan of your beloved rug.
Traffic
The first question to ask yourself when assessing the lifespan of your rug is exactly where you plan on placing it.
How long your rug lasts will depend largely on how often it gets walked on. For example, a rug hidden away in a spare room that only gets used occasionally would likely last much longer than the same rug used in a busy entrance hall.
When many people are regularly walking over your rug it can negatively impact its lifespan in two ways. Firstly, the physical impact of being walked on continuously can add up over time and result in the fibres of the rug becoming old and frayed. Secondly, any mud and dirt on peoples shoes can come off on the rug making it look tatty and even potentially damaging the fibres over time.
Underlay
It isn’t just where you lay your rug that can impact its lifespan, but also what you lay it on.
Using an anti-slip underlay is an often overlooked essential that has been proven to extend the life of any rug. This is because when you use an underlay the continual rubbing between the underside of the rug and the floor surface that it lays on is greatly reduced on account of greater friction between the two surfaces. The more friction there is, the harder it becomes for the two surfaces to rub and wear.
So simple, yet so effective!
Material
Unsurprisingly, the rugs construction and the materials that have been used to make it will also play a huge factor in its life expectancy.
For example, polyester rugs are non-absorbing and resist UV rays - making them ideal for areas that are exposed to sunlight. Although wool rugs can offer a highly luxurious finish, they can also fade in colour very quickly if placed in direct sun.
Children and pets
We all know the mess that children and pets can create; long claws, sticky hands.. need I say more?
Choosing a rug that is stain-resistant and easy to clean will of course increase its life span. A rug with long fibres or a thick pile may not be the best choice when your house is the home to little ones or furry friends.
The main thing to remember is, if you're living in a home with either children or animals, then proper carpet care is even more essential - both to keep those you love safe and healthy, as well ensuring that your rug stands up to the test of time.
When do You Need a New Rug?
Arguably, some rugs can look better with age such as luxurious woollen Persian rugs which benefit from some wear and tear over time. However, other rugs such as super sleek modern rugs or very light coloured rugs can look old and tatty with just a few scuffs and marks.
So, it will really depend on your own standards as to when you need to replace a rug in your home. For example, some people will want to change their rug as soon it has a small stain or starts to look a little bit older. Others will be happy with a more worn rug being in their home for a longer period of time.
Before you decide to buy a new rug, it is always well worth cleaning it to see if you can restore it back to its former glory. For tougher stains or dirt, you may also try getting your rug professionally cleaned, which can do wonders for how it looks. Cleaning your rug is beneficial both for your wallet and the environment.
If you have a much larger rug and it has a stain on it, you may even decide to layer another smaller rug over the top to cover it up. Not only does this help conceal small accidents, but it can actually look fantastic if you pair the rugs correctly.
If you decide that you really do need a new rug, it can be worth trying to sell or giving away your old rug to avoid it going to the landfill. Even though the rug may be worn to a level that you are not happy having it in your own home, others may be very happy with it. Even badly worn rugs could be useful to others for all sorts of reasons and purposes.
Rug Longevity: Summary
It is clear that how long your rug lasts depends widely on a number of factors ranging from the materials used to make it right through to how much sunlight it is exposed to, by understanding these factors, you put yourself in the best position to take action and ensure that your rug is kept in peak condition for as long as possible.
- Posted On: 5 October 2021