Area Rugs

1. A Room-size area rug can be used to pull together furniture groupings; arrange furniture and select an area rug large enough for all the legs of the furniture grouping to rest on the rug. If a smaller area rug is used as a focal point, sofa and chair legs should all be positioned outside of the rug area.

2. If placing your area rug on a wood floor, allow eight to ten inches of wood exposure around the area rug's parameter. In dining areas, add 24 to 30 inches all around your table for proper sizing.

3. To increase the life of your area rug, reverse and rotate it periodically to keep traffic and sunlight exposure even throughout your area rug.

4. Using the proper padding under area rugs creates a buffer between the area rugs and the floor; pads add durability and comfort, plus stabilize and properly position area rugs. Quality padding usually ranges from 1/8-1/4-inches thick, in vinyl mesh, solid vinyl, and natural fibers for use on hard floors, and dry adhesive padding is used over carpeted areas.

5. The Carpet and Rug Institute is marketing Green Label area rugs that pass strict guidelines and requirements for low indoor emissions. This is a huge advancement since studies show the pollutant levels inside the home can be up to five times higher than they are outside.

6. Many area rug manufacturers are going green by using natural fibers with natural dyes or un-dyed wools resulting in subtle colorations of ivory, blue-gray, beige, tan, and chocolate.

7. Hand-knotted and -tufted area rugs should be vacuumed on a regular basis with the pile level set on high. Do not let the vacuum catch on the fringes.

8. Hooked area rugs should be vacuumed with an upholstery attachment. Do not use a rotary vacuum with a beater bar. Use scissors to carefully cut any pulled threads, but do not pull them.

9. Small area rugs are hard to vacuum and should be taken outside and shaken vigorously until dust and dirt are no longer evident. You can also hang rugs on a clothesline and beat them with a broom.

10. Quickly remove animal hair between vacuuming sessions by wiping over the rug's surface with a garden glove that has plastic or rubber nubs, or moisten a rubber glove and run your hand over the affected area. For colorfast area rugs, mist the rug with a solution of 1 cup of water to 1-teaspoon of fabric softener and use a soft-bristle brush to remove hair.