Care of Rugs

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 23, 1905

Do not use a carpet-sweeper on a rug, and do not beat it on the back, which breaks the threads. Orientals never beat their rugs as we do in this country. They never step upon them with the shoes worn in the street. When they become much soiled, they wash them, and spread them in the sun to dry. The best way to clean a rug in your own home, if small and dyed with vegetable colors, is to put it in lukewarm water in a tub, soap it well, and brush with a clean brush.

In the summer, rugs may be hung on a line or railing, and the hose turned on them. For the daily or weekly care of rugs, keep a clean broom, not too hard, for their especial use. Sweep the rug with the pile with the dry broom, then sweep gently against the pile; lastly, dampen the broom in salt water or ammonia water and sweep with the pile. In the winter, the sweeping is best done out of doors. After shaking the rug, or beating on the right side (a piece of rubber hose is an excellent thing to beat with), spread on the snow and brush off with snow. The reason for the luster in antique rugs is that the constant brushing and cleansing make the face even, and gradually bring out the inimitable gloss which is inherent in the wool of the animal.

A rug in daily use is not troubled with moths, but rugs used for hangings are apt to invite colonization. An occasional brushing or exposure to the air, especially in winter, is usually sufficient to keep them all right; but if the dreaded enemy of the housewife should get in, shake out all the dust, dampen the rug, and press the back with a hot iron.—Twentieth Century Home.