Do all your visitors have wrinkled noses? How to freshen up your rugs

Does my house smell is something that most people worry about from time to time. In this day and age there isn’t much excuse for a smelly home because there are so many different products on the market to keep it smelling nice but most of them tend to mask rather than remove and prevention is very much better than cure. It is difficult to avoid cooking smells while the dinner is actually in the oven and indeed, the smell is a large part of the enjoyment of any meal so no one wants to get rid of it altogether. It is when it is still hanging around two days later the trouble begins and the problem is that smells linger in fabrics and most especially in carpeting and rugs. Buying cheaper rugs and carpets and replacing them is one option, but keeping them clean isn’t too difficult however it is important to treat some fibres with care.

Never soak a wool rug

Wool rugs are lovely but they are difficult to clean if they get a really bad spill on them because they should never be soaked with any liquid. If something like wine is spilled on a wool rug it should be blotted as far as possible and any cleaning fluid should be tried on an inconspicuous area first. But for simply freshening up, you can dust some bicarbonate of soda into the pile and leave for a few hours or overnight. After that, the wool rug should be vacuumed gently and if possible given a thorough shake outside. The bicarb will have soaked up any stale smells and the rug will smell like new again. Some people like to sprinkle some lavender on the rug at this point and this will certainly make it smell nice, but this is not recommended for light colours, because the oils from even dried lavender can stain.

If you can wash your hall runner, then do

Some rugs are of course much more prone to being smelly than others and in particular these are bathroom rugs, kitchen rugs and hall runners. Hall runners have to take whatever the visiting feet throw at them and grubby shoes can carry all kinds of things into the house on them, which can get ground in and smell quite nasty. The trouble is that few people are aware of the smell of their own house and it is a bit ironic that the smelliest rug – the hall runner – is the one that people encounter first. Ideally, these rugs should be washed weekly and if you have two to change around regularly then so much the better because you should always make sure they are completely dry before putting them down again – if they are damp, they will smell musty after a while and so the matter will be even worse. Bathroom rugs should certainly be washed or aired at least once a week and more if the family is large. Natural rugs are a good choice in the kitchen, being easy to vacuum and also easy on the feet on the usually hard floors in that room.

Mixing and matching shapes and sizes of rugs for a co-ordinated look

When you move into somewhere new or just fancy a change, using rugs to stamp your personality is a really easy thing to do. Are you a bit of an old-fashioned person who likes to hang on to family pieces and memorabilia? Traditional rugs will probably suit you best. Do you like to chop and change and move the furniture around? Looking for rugs for sale at bargain prices will probably be your best choice, because you can make a difference without spending a fortune. If you like minimalist designs and not too much clutter, you can make a statement with a shaggy rug in an accent colour. But to stop it all looking a bit like a ‘bulk buy’ you can use different shapes and sizes in the same overall style.

Large rugs

Most rugs come in a variety of sizes and you can use this to your advantage whatever style you choose. Traditional rugs, even totally modern ones, use certain design features which are repeated in a specific way. This means whether you choose a  small, medium  or large size rug, you will always have a common element which ties them together, even if you choose different colourways. Using one large rug in the main room and then continuing the theme round the house using smaller rugs or even carpet runners in the hall and up the stairs will make your home seem very calm, even if you choose bright shades. It is the repetition which makes a cohesive décor look and this is subliminally calming.

Keep all the features except the shape

This is another way of making your rugs all ‘hang together’. Whether you go for shaggy rugs, designer rugs or traditional ones, choosing round rugs in some rooms where you have had square or rectangular in others still has the all-through effect. Shaggy rugs in particular look great in the round option and if you have an open plan lounge/diner you can use different shapes in the different areas, sticking to the same colour (or colour family) and texture. Many coloured rugs come in a palette – keep to just one such as autumnal, blues and greens; red is best kept alone as it clashes with almost everything, even itself!

Designer rugs with carved pile

A very popular choice for an accent in a room is a cut pile designer rug. These often have very bold colours and are best left as a statement, but by taking one of the background colours and buying a neutral rug, you can tie the look together very stylishly. In this particular instance, you can also keep to the same size or proportions – changing too much at once can lose the all-in-one design element in your décor. Whatever you decide, with rugs which share a design feature, you can change rooms as and when you wish without spending any more money.

Noisy neighbours and what to do (and what not to do!)

An Englishman’s home is his castle, or so the saying goes and most people find that they are much happier when they can be in their own home and shut the door for some privacy. But lots of people find that the noise made by neighbours ruins their enjoyment of their own space and increasing numbers are contacting their councils or even the police to make peace. In some extreme cases people have actually resorted to physical violence when a neighbourly dispute gets out of hand.

Simple measures first

Unfortunately, arguments between neighbours are given coverage on the media when they result in horrendous situations involving court cases and even bodily harm. Most are dealt with much more simply and perhaps the easiest thing is just to tap on the door and mention that the noise is not acceptable. Make a joke of it if you can and certainly don't go in all guns blazing. If you live below someone in a flat and they seem to have a herd of elephant up there, why not treat them to a thick modern rug for the lounge or a hall runner if that is the problem area. Choose a neutral rug so it will go with any decor and they should be suitably grateful. Don't make trouble in the first instance should be your watchword.

Don't try tit for tat

If friendly approaches haven’t worked or if you feel it has got worse after your first attempt, don't try and drown the noise with some of your own. This can be used against you if things escalate so it is best to just behave as normal and don't start DIY projects at three in the morning just to get even. Without making an undue fuss about it, visit other neighbours to see if they are affected. If a group of you makes an approach, it might have more impact. If you did try buying your heavy footed neighbour a shaggy rug to try and minimise the noise, don't ask for it back if it doesn’t work – that will only make things worse.

There may be a reason

Find out first whether there is a reason for the noise. There may be problems on the domestic front or perhaps a child who is going through a phase. Although this won't stop the noise, a little understanding makes it all a little easier to bear.

How to find out who your friends are!

Although no one likes a liar, most of us are adept at those little white fibs that keep the world going round. ‘Does my bum look big in this?’ is never asked by someone who wants the answer to be ‘Yes’. And yet sometimes, you need a friend to tell you the truth – you just have to be big enough to take it on the chin if the answer isn't quite what you were expecting.

Does this room look a bit tatty?

The chances are that if you think the room looks in need of a makeover, then it is! Living somewhere every day does make us a bit blind to its shortcomings but there are often certain moments – when a ray of sunshine suddenly illuminates a spider’s web in the corner or a hole appears in your previously treasured traditional rug – when you realise that things may have gone a bit downhill. Choose your friend with care – you want to ask someone who loves you and your house despite your faults and will not just say something nasty but will give you an answer as well, such as, ‘I think if you replaced that runner with a nice new shaggy rug the room would look great.’

Does this house smell?

Well, there’s a tricky one if you like! There are so many adverts on TV about housewives worrying about their smelly loos and other parts of the house but we don't always realise when things are not too fresh any more. Rather than spray scents everywhere it might be best to look down – an old wool rug will matt down and get full of crumbs and other smelly detritus without your noticing. Your honest friend will be doing you a favour because no one wants to think that their home is smelly. Replace your rugs if budget permits, but a good shake and a brush with some bicarbonate of soda does wonders.

And finally does your bum look big in that?

If your friend tells you the truth about your tatty living room or your smelly hall, perhaps you have found the right person to ask the million dollar question, because after all, when you bend down to look closely at your patterned rugs, you want to be sure that your rear end doesn’t look too enormous!

Buying Guide for Hall Runners

Hall runners do not only work as an embellishment for your interiors and floorings, but these also serve as a utility to prevent floor damage and slips and accidents. You may buy a carpet runner that complements your interiors and add to the value of design aesthetics, making them appear chic and stylish, while ensuring sufficient floor protection and slip-free surfaces.

When buying hall runners, you may consider various factors before you select an appropriate choice. Below are some guidelines which may help you choose suitable hall runners for your halls.

Size

The carpet runners should be smaller in width than your hall, so that these may be placed to run along the centre of your halls, leaving equal margins on both sides. You may tally the measurements that you intend to buy, with the halls’ dimensions to get an idea about whether it will suitably fit.
Furthermore, if you intend to place in front of a door, you may take care to choose a runner that when placed inside the hall will leave sufficient space before the door to not to interfere with the opening and closing of the door.

Design and style

There is a wide variety available today, in different sizes and designs. You may buy a contemporary design to complement your hall interiors, or you opt for a traditional in style. You may find elaborate and intricate designs more appealing, or you might prefer more simplicity in design. The style and design is completely subjected to your room interiors and design preferences.

Fibres and materials

Available in a variety of fibres, from synthetic to natural. Your choice of fibres should primarily be based upon the amount of traffic you expect. If you expect more traffic, your hall runners will be exposed to more walking and hence, you may choose a woven in a material that will be able to withstand heavy usage. Polypropylene, nylon and wool are durable and can withstand high traffic for longer periods.

Non-skid backing

You may even consider buying rug runners equipped with non-skid backing, which put up more resistance towards slipping and sliding on floors. In case your hall receives more traffic, it may get quite cumbersome at times to always keep in place. Non-skid backing is a feasible solution in such situations.

Lastly, if you are interested in buying, it is essential that you contact a reliable dealer or supplier, so that you are able to invest in good quality and durable hall runners. Rug Zone offers a wide range of premium quality hall runners, which embellish your floors and can sustain high traffic for extended periods, due to their premium quality.

5 Tips for Effective Cleaning of Carpet Runners

Installing hall runners is a good way to conceal floor damage, prevent your floors from further damage and add to the value your home interiors and aesthetics. Carpet runners are usually placed in halls, rooms and on staircases, but you may place it anywhere else in your house, where you might deem it suitable.





Usually installed in areas which receive high traffic and these are more susceptible to wear and tear. Hence, below are a few tips to help you maintain your carpet runners and increase their durability.


1: Vacuum Regularly

Like any other carpeted flooring, your runners too need to be vacuumed regularly. Regular vacuuming prevents the settling down of dirt and dust particles deep into the pile, ensuring to remove dirt, gravel and debris completely from the fibres. If dirt and debris is allowed to settle down into the pile it can cause considerable damage overtime.


Regular vacuuming is an efficient way to ensure regular and deep cleaning and if placed on stairs, you might consider investing in a lightweight vacuum cleaner for convenience of use.

2: Use a Suitable Brush Attachment
Use a suitable brush attachment when cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. A hose is suitable for dirt removal and can also help with deep cleaning. Using a brush roller or a beater brush attachment is particularly useful for loosening dirt and increasing the life.


3: Use a Stiff Broom

If you find vacuuming too inconvenient to practise it regularly, using a stiff broom to regularly clean is a good substitute. Though, it may not be as effective for deep cleaning as a vacuum, but still, a stiff broom is a good alternative and can be of considerable help. If you do not find it feasible to invest in a light weight vacuum cleaner, a stiff broom is a good replacement to conveniently clean your carpet runners, installed on the staircase.


4: Use a Steam Cleaner

Carpet runners can also be steam cleaned, just as any other carpeted flooring. Steam cleaning  require a good steam cleaner which may be attached with a handheld hose. In case, you are faced with limitations, financial or otherwise, to invest in a steam cleaner, it is even possible to rent one from a nearby grocery store.


5: Hand Scrubbing

In case you need spot-cleaning, hand scrubbing is the best possible solution. Not only it may be used to clean to overall, but it is the most effective way of stain removal. Spots and stains that are hard to clean, like grease stains, may require a pre-treatment through a solution which loosens the stains and makes their removal easier through hand scrubbing.


When investing in carpet runners, ensure to buy carpet runners from trusted dealers, like Rug Zone, so that you are able to buy good quality and durable carpet runners which are easier to maintain and have an extended life span.