Rugs have been around for centuries and are an important item in your home, especially if you have large expanses of hard flooring such as tiles or timber.  These days, many homes are opting for hard flooring rather than carpet throughout so rugs are a simple way to add comfort, give warmth and brighten up a room with a splash of colour.

They can be fun, make a bold statement in a room and can be changed easily when you want to update your decor. From a practical perspective, they can protect your floor and reduce noise. There are many types of rugs, coming in a vast array of colours, styles, textures, sizes and shapes and can be constructed from different materials.

What to consider when choosing a rug

Where will you put the rug?

The location of your rug will determine how much foot traffic it will need to endure. In a high traffic area such as a hallway perhaps you’ll want a flat weave in a darker colour to withstand lots of wear and reduce noise. In a playroom you may want to choose a hard wearing synthetic fibre that will stand up to the kids!

What look and feel do you want?

How do you want the rug to make the room to feel? If it’s for a bedroom you may want a cosy, thicker fibre and weave, or in a formal sitting room perhaps a silk rug for an opulent feel. In a living room you may want your rug to be a statement, in bold colours or a strong texture.

What size is best?

The larger a rug, the more it creates a sense of space. A small rug in a small room will make the space feel cramped. Make sure you measure your space, taking into account vents and furniture.

In a living area, choose a rug as large as will fit – it’s a great way to define a space. In a dining area, make sure the rug is large enough to cover the floor with the chairs pushed out so there is no tripping on the edges.

Ease of cleaning

Again, consider the amount and type of traffic your rug will endure each day. Some fibres are easy to clean, while others require a professional rug dry cleaning service – more details are below. Consider whether your rug will be subjected to any moisture, in which a mildew resistant acrylic will work well.

If you have pets, you’ll be happier with a fibre which doesn’t attract pet hair, so maybe something in a low weave.

Before undertaking any DIY cleaning process, check with the manufacturer’s guidelines and test on a small area beforehand. When you purchase a rug, keep the tags and cleaning method handy and know that you can contact the best Melbourne rug cleaning service to keep it looking it’s best for the life of your rug.

What is your budget?

Having a budget in mind will determine what material you can afford. If you want a rug to last a long time, an investment in wool is worth it, but if you just need something functional or to add a bit of colour to a space, a synthetic fibre rug will suffice.

Natural or synthetic fibres?

The material a rug is constructed from affects its feel, durability and function. Basically, rugs are made from either natural or synthetic fibres. We have considered various materials commonly used today and have provided some information on each to assist you with choosing a rug for your home.

Natural fibres are higher quality than synthetic fibres and are the best choice for durability. They last longer and don’t release any harmful gasses.

Synthetic fibres are man-made materials, often mass produced and are therefore a cheaper option. Synthetic fibres have been improved over the years to mimic the characteristics of natural fibres, however they can feel a bit cheap, and less luxurious than natural fibres.

Natural fibre rugs

Wool

Wool is a classic fibre for rugs as it provides durability, is easy to clean and is quite economical. Wool is a versatile fibre which can be dyed any colour, withstands a lot of wear and is super comfy.

The oils in wool means it naturally repels liquids, enabling an easy clean-up of spills. Wool rugs tend to be a bit thicker than others and may pill or shed slightly although this will lessen over time. It is recommended that wool rug cleaning is carried out by a professional cleaning service.

Cotton

Another fibre which dyes easily is cotton, allowing for many colours. Cotton rugs are soft underfoot, however are usually not as plush as wool. 

They are still quite durable and are often machine washable. Less expensive than wool, cotton rugs look a bit more casual. They are hypoallergenic and breathable.

Jute, Sisal and Hemp

These are very tough, very durable rugs and often have a texture and weave other fibres cannot achieve. These rugs are coarser than wool or cotton, almost rope-like, and are therefore not as comfy on your feet.

They are also more difficult to clean as they absorb liquids quickly, so it’s best to use a rug dry cleaning specialist. Often not dyed, they provide a lovely, natural colour and feel to a room. Jute and Sisal are sustainable and biodegradable and are good choices for allergy or asthma sufferers.

Silk and Viscose

Silk and viscose are really soft materials which are versatile but not very durable when used on their own. However they can be used together with wool to create gorgeous rugs as their fibres create a beautiful sheen and will provide a rich look to your room. Due to the fine fibres, delicate patterns can be achieved. Great to stylishly dress up your home.

Leather

Cowhide and leather have been used as floor coverings for centuries as leather is very durable and readily available. It is easily dyed, so leather rugs are available in many colours and patterns. They are generally easy to clean, however the material can absorb spills if not cleaned up straight away.

Synthetic Fibre Rugs

Acrylic

Acrylic rugs are tufted to look like wool rugs, at a cheaper price and are suitable as a hypoallergenic alternative to wool. They are stain resistant and easy to clean, however will wear over time and the fibres are not crush resistant. Low quality acrylic rugs can generate static.

Nylon

Nylon rugs have fibres which are elastic and resilient so can take a lot of wear without crushing. They are water and stain resistant so are extremely easy to keep clean. Nylon rugs may not be as soft as natural fibre rugs.

Polypropylene

Heat-set polypropylene rugs are dense like wool but with a lower price tag. They are known for being water resistant, so are great for areas near moisture or where there may be lots of spills. They are versatile and can be used outdoors. However, they attract dirt so need to be cleaned regularly and those that are not heat-set are poor quality and wear easily.

Polyester

Polyester rugs have a shine to them, but are softer than nylon. They are easy to keep clean as they are water resistant, and are also fade resistant and economical to purchase. However they do wear and crush easily, so you’ll need to vacuum and clean regularly to get them to last.

Once you have chosen your rug and enhanced your home, take pleasure in its beauty and functionality. Contact the expert carpet cleaners at Drytron on 13 12 50 when you need rug cleaning in your home.

Kids rugs
Let’s face it, when we’re redecorating our kid’s rooms, style isn’t exactly the first thing on our mind. The sorts of colours kid’s like, for instance, tend to be the sorts of colours that will clash with each other or be uncomfortably bright. But it is all about colours, so when decking a kid’s room out you don’t have to play by the rules, so long as you’re playing.

When thinking of kid’s rugs, think of flooring that doubles up as an imaginative island. Kid’s rugs are either going to have toy cars raced on or toy-brick houses built on. They are there to incite imagination and be part of the fun; rainbows, animals and shapes are the way to go.

Kid’s rugs are there to provide a bit of safety too. Rugs are an extra layer of soft furnishing for bumps and tumbles, they’re made to be sat on and jumped on. They’re also made to be spilt on. So the best rugs are the ones that can be cleaned most easily, like acrylic. And the thicker the pile, the softer they’ll be.

Persian rugs
The Middle East is the motherland of the not-so-humble rug. Carpet weaving in Persia is an institution that goes as far back as the region’s history. So integral are rugs and carpet making to the historical region that, even today, Iranian rugs occupy a space way beyond any other type of rug.

The full history of Persian rugs has only survived in paintings. It’s reported, though, that carpet weaving in Persia dates back to the Bronze Age. So Persian rugs are clearly a primary source for antique styling, but you probably don’t want to go walking all over a 500-year old woollen weave.

Iranian carpets are still considered to be up there with the best. And the old traditions are nowhere near dead. The style of Persian rugs is ubiquitous and is the perfect addition to a design that incorporates rich dark woods and classic furniture. If you’re designs lean towards authentic natural materials, then these are the rugs for you. Nothing looks better on a wooden floor than a classic Persian rug.

Turkish rugs
Right up there with the famous Persian rug is equally famous Turkish carpet. Geographically, Turkey and Iran sit side by side, so it’s probably not much of a surprise that they’re both leaders in the field of rug making. It’s part of the culture of the Middle East that makes rugs so important here. The nomadic lifestyle called for temporary flooring, while the bitter cold of the desert at night warranted insulation on the floors.

Like Persian rugs, Turkish rugs are wool based, made by hand and adorned with intricate designs. In fact, it’s very hard to tell them apart. Both can range from Turkish humble or practical designs, all the way to ostentatiously coloured patterning.

Elsewhere in the Middle East and Arab world; Pakistan, Armenia, Morocco and Indian rug weaving and the production of carpets is still integral to the unique cultures and economies of local and national regions. It’s no wonder that this area of the world is so definitive when it comes to rugs.

Shag pile rugs or shaggy rugs
A shag rug, or just a shag, has a deep but thin pile that literally looks shaggy. The look is modern and rather like animal fur. In fact, this is probably the reason why shag pile rugs have become so popular in recent years. The decadence of a royal boudoir might once have been down to the luxurious soft furnishings in a time where animal hide was the standard material for insulation and comfort.

Thankfully long gone are the days that animal fur is an acceptable way to create comfort. Instead a series of modern materials has replaced fur, but without loosing the soft, sumptuous feel.

Shag pile rugs are perfect in bedrooms, and even bathrooms, as the perfect surface to cushion your bare feet. And they can easily add a decadent feel to a design too, with light coloured shag rugs looking great on top of rich coloured carpets, or in front of the fireplace.

Modern rugs
Modern rugs are rather self-explanatory, and cover all sorts of shapes and sizes that you can find in your local department store. The best thing about buying a modern rug is that you can take advantage of modern advances in material and design in order to ensure you have a hardwearing rug that does the job.

Synthetic fibres, like nylon, polyester and polypropylene have now become some of the most common materials for rugs. Wool is the only natural material that can stand up to them at all. Nylon for one, if far easier to be printed on, meaning that vibrant designs are easier and more affordable to produce, and also incredibly stain resistant.

As one of the best uses for rugs is to protect your flooring, having a modern carpet is a great way to ensure longevity, durability and affordability.

For more great tips visit www.drytron.com.au. Of course, if you need to get the carpet cleaning experts in to get your carpet, upholstery and rugs looking their best, simply give us a call in the Drytron Customer Care Centre on 13 12 50.

There are many benefits of having carpet in your house, such as warmth, sound proofing and style. The key to maximising those benefits is to maintain your carpets to a high quality. Those benefits won’t last forever but unfortunately, they’re not as easy to pick up on as one would think. If you are unsure about whether you should replace your carpet, read the 8 signs below that you should look out for.

One of the most critical aspects of setting up a home is the window dressing. It is as vital as furnishing, and the beauty of your decoration largely depends on your choice of materials. But with so many window dressing options to choose from, how are you supposed to decide which option will best suit your needs? Curtains, roller blinds and venetian blinds all have their pros and cons, so it can depend on what you want to prioritise; style, functionality or cost.

Choosing the right carpet colour is an exciting and important aspect of the carpet selection process. With the extensive range of colours, textures available, and people should be considered when bringing such a versatile décor item into any household.

There is a rug or carpet to suit every preference. For those with a bolder eye and a need for impact, show-stopping patterns are the way to bring life to your space. These can include animal print, Aztec, geometric and statement florals.

For those looking for something earthier, there are styles that suit the clean, green and sustainably keen – carpets woven from plant fibres and other eco-friendly sourced materials. These can be rougher to the touch, but great for an environment built on sustainability and organic living.

Carpet tiles, often in the form of the more classic-style patterns, are great for people who want to be able to remove their carpet and wash it by hand or send it out for professional cleaning services. And then you’ve got custom carpets – if you look hard enough you’ll find someone who will take your vision and bring it to life in a way you haven’t been able to source from a local supplier.

Why choose carpet over hardwood floors
Hardwood floors can damage and gouge easily, particularly from pets’ claws and high heeled shoes, and this damage can be expensive to repair. Not only known for their aesthetics, rugs and carpets can help insulate a home, absorb excess sound and provide a cushiony, comforting experience for hard-working feet. Carpet and rugs are also an opportunity to add softness to a space, as well as add personality and character.

Where to start when selecting a carpet colour
Before making that colour and pattern decision, let’s step back for a minute. On a very basic level, what lifestyle factors should you consider when working out the colour scheme for your new carpet? There are a few things you could ask yourself in order to make the most suitable decision for your space:

What carpet colour suits my family?
Children and animals are lovely additions to any household, but both come with their fair share of messy behaviours. Kids love to touch, move quickly and bring their outside fun inside. Playing in the garden can result in mud on the carpet, craft projects can end up all over the floor, and fussy eating habits can result in plates being tossed on the ground. If you have young children, a darker colour may be more suitable for your family.

Should i factor in the family pet?

As for pets – a new pet’s untrained toilet situation can result in unsightly and lingering stains. On top of this, pets shed frequently and their fur ends up everywhere! You should consider the colour of your pet’s fur when deciding on a carpet colour. Dark fur can show up on lighter carpets and white furs stand out against darker carpets.

What colour will suit my furnishings?
Perhaps you’re tossing up between two different shades of charcoal, and you need to see both side-by-side in order to make your final decision. Or perhaps you can’t work out if the shaggy texture will clash with your clean, smooth-surfaced couch and metallic coffee table. Be smart about your carpet colour decision process – ask for some samples to take home and see how the tones work with your existing furniture and curtains. If it’s a colour you can picture being part of your home every day for the next 15 years, then it’s a winner.

Where should i install carpet?
Bedrooms and living rooms are the key areas that you should carpet in your home. Bedrooms need the extra warmth and softness as they are supposed to be cosy, comforting spaces. Kitchens and bathrooms are better off left with a hard surface due to the wet, damp nature of these spaces. Dining rooms are up for debate! This can depend on the layout of your home, and is totally up to you as the homeowner.

Drytron can help maintain the quality of your carpet:
You’ve spent so much time choosing the right carpet colour that ticks all the boxes, and all he effort wand money spent will go to waste if you don’t care for and maintain your carpets properly.

How do you then maintain the overall colour and condition of your carpet? The answer is to call Drytron Carpet Cleaning, the only experts in the inner and outer Melbourne area, to take control of your carpet cleaning requirements. Our mobile rug cleaning team are fully-equipped experts, and can travel to a range of Victoria state locations.

Drytron’s list of cleaning services isn’t just limited to rugs and carpets either, we also service curtains, couches and even upholstery. Our specialist carpet cleaning process thoroughly cleans your furnishings with no residual dampness, meaning your carpet is ready to be walked on in record time!

Don’t stop the kids or the dog from enjoying the magic of new carpets – Drytron Carpet Cleaning will be on hand to help with those inevitable hiccups that come along with family life.

Call or contact the team to discuss your needs: 13 12 50

Many of us Accumulate Much More than we Need!
Once you’ve lived in a home for a while, you’ll find that you’ve amassed items and collections that are not exactly needed on a daily basis. Have you just moved from one home to another, and finding it a tad challenging to decide whether or not to take some of your treasured or not so treasured items to your new home? Instead of having these items take up valuable space in your home or bother you with the inconvenience of where to move them, a storage facility might just come in handy.

What’s There to Store Anyway?
It could be furniture or some valuable antiques that you have no immediate need for; if you are looking to avoid any form of clutter in your home, you need to find a home for these items. Storage is essential if you’ve accumulated a lot of belongings as it gives you the opportunity to keep your most loved things – and not so loved stuff – while freeing up useful space in your home at the same time.

If you find that you won’t be staying in a place for long, you might want to use a long-term storage facility to store your belongings. Whether you are moving abroad for a short-term job or moving into a home for a short period, you might need to get a storage facility where you can keep your furniture and other belongings. Or perhaps you are downsizing to a new home with less space than your previous one. Until you can sort out what finally goes into the new house, furniture storage will be an ideal solution.

So, how do you make sure your belongings are kept safe and in excellent condition while they’ll be in storage?

Repair What Needs to be Repaired Before Storing
Before moving your things into storage, you need to ensure that your furniture is in the best possible condition. Fumigate where necessary and check for parts that need to be fixed or repaired such as securing hinges and tightening screws. During storage, some of the items may be placed on top of one another, and you sure wouldn’t want to see your furniture collapsing due to being unable to withstand extra weight as a result of a loose screw.

Clean Your Furniture and Other Items That Need to be Stored
From your furniture to your rugs and everything else you’ll be storing, a thorough cleaning is advised. It’s necessary that you do couch cleaning and rug cleaning as well. For your rug cleaning, you’ll need to ensure that there is no moisture left in the rug so that it does not become damp, mouldy and discoloured while in storage.

For convenience, consider calling the experts who specialise in mobile rug cleaning to come to your home or storage facility. A professional couch and rug cleaning service will carry out a thorough, expert cleaning of your rug, couch and other belongings. It is crucial that items such as couches and rugs are adequately cleaned and dried before going into storage as to avoid moulds and foul smell.

Disassemble if Possible
Some items such as cabinets, couches and tables should be stored as they are while other furniture such as bed frames should be disassembled so they can be stored easily. Items that can be dismantled before storage will aid the effective utilisation of storage space. Disassembling is also useful for easy transportation of the things you want to store.

Keep Your Furniture Covered
When moving and storing your furniture items, there will be lots of handling and maneuvering which could result in some minor damage such as dents and scratches. To protect your furniture, you should cover them with sheets or wraps. For items that break easily, store them in padded boxes.

If you protect your furniture and belongings adequately, it will remain in good condition when you unpack. If items are placed on top of each other through the time they will be in storage; the padding will help keep your things in good shape.

The fragile items in your belongings should be given extra care. Padded boxes and bubble wraps come in handy for fragile items. Some fragile items include china, antiques, lamp shades and other stuff that looks the part. You can use towels and sheets to serve as additional cushioning.

Stack Carefully
When placing your stuff in storage, you need to have a clear picture of how you will stack your items to ensure their safety. You can store bigger items like bed frames against the walls and place fragile items under tables, so they are well-protected. Take your time to figure out where to put each item and carefully move your things.

Leave Some Wiggle Room
Putting your furniture and other items on top of each other is done to create more storage space. Doing this does not mean you cram everything in without leaving enough breathing space around the items. Let there be space between them, let air flow in-between as well. This will prevent any unpleasant smell when you eventually open up the storage after a while and keep the whole space fresh. This is also important if you’ll often come around to pick a thing or two you might need. You want to make sure you have enough wiggle room to move around the storage space.

Talk to a Storage Specialist
You may not have all the required skills to store your belongings properly. Talk to the team at your storage facility to help you set up your storage facility will go a long way in ensuring that your belongings are properly stored and, in a manner, that best suits you. That way, your mind will be at rest that your things will be kept in the best condition by the experts while you go about your regular business.

Careful preparation is essential to ensure your belongings remain in the condition they entered the storage facility in. Timber and metal furniture are at less risk of deterioration than softer furnishings such as mattresses, couches, curtains and rugs. Softer furnishings absorb more air, and any dirt or bacteria left in the furniture before going into storage can result in mould and discolouration over time. Any soft furnishings should be thoroughly and expertly cleaned by a mobile cleaning service. Drytron Carpet Cleaning use an expert dry-cleaning method which is perfect for soft furnishings. This method has a minimal use of moisture, compared to steam cleaning, which means your belongings will be clean and dry, ready to store in under an hour.

Book Online or Call: 13 12 50

Drytron Stain Buster

This handy all-purpose stain removal product is great for busting even the worst red wine stains from carpet.

Simply spray product on the stain and let stand for a few minutes. Next, blot the stain with a clean cloth. We suggest using your thumb inside the cloth, lightly rotating in a clockwise direction. If you’ve already treated the stain with other products or home remedies without success, let Stain Buster sit for 20-30 minutes. Blot the stain with a damp cloth and let the treated section dry completely. If you can still see the stain after the area is dry, repeat the process.

Drytron Stain Buster is usually safe for use on colored carpet, however we always recommend spot testing first in a small patch away from visible areas (That way you can see if it has a bleaching, or staining effect on the carpet).

Drytron are experts in any carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning emergency. Give us a call in the Drytron Customer Care Centre on 13 12 50. Our walk on dry service will ensure you’ll get back to your day with amazing results and minimal disruption.

We have all learned the hard way that colour fades in sunlight. However, fading also may be caused by atmospheric thingymiggies, such as emissions from heater, fly sprays, air fresheners, household cleaning products, and other household items.

Judicious use of aerosols near your carpeted areas is the best bet, but regular cleaning of your carpets will help to reduce the amount of contaminants in your carpet.

Oh, and make sure you have good blinds and window tinting to minimize the colour fading caused by sunlight!

For more great tips visit www.drytron.com.au. Of course, if you need to get the carpet cleaning experts in to get your carpet, upholstery and rugs looking their best, simply give us a call in the Drytron Customer Care Centre on 13 12 50.

Note: When using any cleaning agent on your carpet test on a small, inconspicuous part first. This is to ensure the cleaning agent doesn’t discolor your carpet or have an unexpected reaction. Whilst general advice has been offered, NO responsibility is accepted for claims arising from treatment proposed due to variances on the extent of the problem and steps taken previously to treat the problem which are out of our control. If general advice treatment fails call your Drytron Technician immediately.

Carpet shading
Cut pile carpets often display a characteristic called shading. This is when there appears to be patches of different coloured carpet after vacuuming or in areas that have been walked on. These variations are caused by little changes in the way that the pile is sitting in relation to other fibres. This phenomenon is simply the result of a trick of light. The sides of fibres reflect more light that the tips of the fibre, so when the carpet pile is ‘lying’ they will seem to create a light pile.

Solution
Shading is just a temporary condition and can be reversed by vacuuming in a common direction or carpet brushing. Your Drytron professional will brush your carpet when they complete their clean.

Carpet pile reversal
Pile reversal is the result of the carpet pile being ‘trained’ to lie in a particular direction that is opposite to the rest of the carpet. This is generally caused by regular traffic flow on your carpet. For instance, if the regular pattern of walking on a high traffic area is to turn to the right, then the carpet pile will continually sit to the left. Over time this lean to the left will become ingrained and hard to remove with vacuuming or even brushing.

Solution
Unfortunately, this is the normal wear and tear of the carpet. You can of course use runners and rugs in some super high traffic spots to reduce the effect on your permanent carpet. Regular vacuuming and maintenance cleans will also remove the sharp debris in the carpet that cuts the carpet fibre and makes it more susceptible to pile training.

For more great tips visit www.drytron.com.au. Of course, if you need to get the carpet cleaning experts in to get your carpet, upholstery and rugs looking their best, simply give us a call in the Drytron Customer Care Centre on 13 12 50.

It’s a bit annoying – those little bits of carpet that seem to litter the top of your new carpet. Will this eventually become like the bald patch on Uncle Mikes scone? Will we need to adopt some elaborate comb over technique the way he does at Chrissie? Will we need to hide the patch with some conspicuous rug too?

Never fear, carpet shedding is just a fact of a new carpets life. Carpets made with spun fibres shed loose bits left in the carpet from the manufacturing process. Generally, removing these loose fibers does not affect the carpet life or quality. Also, they are totally safe, because of the micron size is greater than 90 microns, these fibers are too large to become airborne and breathed in (that needs to be less than <4 microns).

What should I do?
Most shedding gradually disappears within the first year. Simply ensure that you vacuuming properly (click here to learn how), using a quality vacuum cleaner. Also, ensure that you maintain your regular maintenance dry cleaning regime over the first year.

Carpet Crushing
…wait, what does that actually mean? Crushing is the loss of pile thickness due to foot trampling. As you imagine this is going to be the advent of flat areas on your carpet in high traffic such as hallways, entrances and lounge – rooms. Sometimes you can restore the carpet, other times crushing is there for good.

Is carpet crushing covered by Warranty?
You probably guessed it, crushing is not considered a manufacturing defect unless specifically cited in the manufacturer’s warranty.

So what do I do?

Like many things, prevention is better than trying to find a cure. So…

1) Regular vacuuming may help reduce crushing due to traffic.

2) Use rugs, mats and runners in high traffic areas.

3) Move furniture around regularly, and use carpet off-cuts or carpet protectors under the legs of cabinets, couches and tables.

4) Regular carpet dry cleaning will brush up the carpet.

For more great tips visit www.drytron.com.au. Of course, if you need to get the carpet cleaning experts in to get your carpet, upholstery and rugs looking their best, simply give us a call in the Drytron Customer Care Centre on 13 12 50.