Choosing a carpet or a rug takes time and effort. Since buying a carpet may also be a huge investment for some individuals, you have to learn about the different types of fibers and choose what works best for you. In addition, there are a few things around the house you need to be aware of that are potentially destructive and may ruin your carpets and rugs:

Water and Moisture

Carpets and rugs can become damaged when they are exposed to water or moisture for an extended period of time. While water is used to clean the rugs, continual exposure to water invites insects and may cause the fibers to rot. After washing your rug or carpet, ensure that the rug is completely dry and devoid of any moisture to prevent mildew or mold from growing on the rug or carpet.

Moisture can also get into your carpet via water leakages from flower pots that rest on the carpets. If you place your prized rug near a sink or near your washing machine, it is bound to get wet as well. If you have carpets in damp rooms, e.g., the basement, the carpet will grow mold over time after absorbing too much moisture. The carpet or rug may also develop dry rot, which means the fibers are damaged and stiff. If you fold or roll the carpet in this condition, the foundation cracks. Such carpets become damaged and are rarely salvageable.

Pets

Pets are loveable, but they are among the top reasons why carpets don’t last. Puppies love to chew on things, your rugs and carpets notwithstanding. Pouring moth flakes on your carpet will stop your puppy from chewing on your rug as they hate the smell! Cats may also ruin your carpets and rugs by scratching them with their sharp claws. Consulting with your vet about what to do about the scratching is your best bet in this case.

Untrained pets are also a huge menace. Pet urine and feces can irreversibly damage your rug. If your carpet or rug is dyed, then pet urine can permanently bleach it. Ensure that your pets are house trained as this will give you better peace of mind and protect your carpets from further damage.

Spills

If something spills on your wall-to-wall carpet, you need to act fast. If you don’t, the fibers end up absorbing the liquids and can damage your carpet. Coffee, juices, or wine leave stains and are best dealt with immediately. Find out how to deal with stains for your particular carpet or rug fiber and deal with the spill without delay. Households with infants are also prone to spills, so this should be a major factor to consider when buying your carpet.

Insects

Insects can ruin your rug or carpet if not dealt with in a timely manner. Carpet beetles and moth larvae are especially destructive. They love laying eggs on natural fibers and when the eggs hatch, the ravenous larvae will feed on any spills on the carpet that were not properly cleaned off.

Sunlight

The sun’s ultraviolet rays are bad for carpets and rugs. If your carpets and rugs are made from authentic natural dyes, they will not fade quickly but will soften over time. Synthetic dyes, on the other hand, will fade in a very pronounced manner. The solution would be to either replace your windows with a UV protection panel or apply a UV reduction film. The best solution really is to buy authentic rugs and carpets made from natural fibers.