Proper Storage of Area Rugs

One of the saddest parts of working at Luv-A-Rug is seeing an area rug that has moth larvae damage. I say moth larvae instead of just moth because it is not the moth that does the damage.

The most important thing to do when storing an area rug is to get it Professionally Cleaned before storing:

• A clean area rug lacks the nutrients most insects need to survive.

Wrap it in a waterproof,breathable sheet, such a Tyvek.

Tyvek is a registered trademark of DuPont. Tyvek is made with 100% high-density polyethylene fibers. The fibers are continuous and as thick as a human hair. When making Tyvek the fibers are continuous and non directional and then is flash spun using no binding agents or fillers. Tyvek is hard to tear, but can easily be cut with scissors or any sharp object.

The benefits of using Tyvek to store your area rugs in are: it is lightweight, has a neutral pH factor, and allows water vapour to pass through, but not liquid water.
Tyvek can be purchased from any hardware/home building store, but Luv-A-Rug can wrap your area rug in Tyvek after cleaning.

The area in which you store your area rug is important too. Store your area rugs in a place that is not too hot or too cold or prone to extreme temperature fluctuations and has low humidity. Your area rug should be laid flat. Do not stand it up on its end, that is not good for the rug. Do not store your area rug against an outside wall, the wall gets too cold, nor on a concrete floor, again too cold.

There is no ideal spot to store your area rug just ideal conditions. Remember that out of sight does not equal peace of mind. Periodically check your stored area rug to make sure that the wrapping hasn't been punctured by something. For long term storage moth balls (moth balls do come in a fresh scent of cedar, so no more musty smell) are recommended to be included with your area rug. Every precaution should be taken to make sure that your area rugs are safe, dry and ready to be enjoyed for years to come.

I am going to get a lot of flack from the area rug cleaning world when I post this, but I have proof. I have proof that ALL area rugs are susceptible to moth damage no matter the fibers. It is widely known that moths need natural fibers to survive, but if the rug is dirty enough it doesn't matter. This is the second synthetic, yes Synthetic area rug I have seen in my two years here at Luv-A-Rug with moth damage. The pink arrows are pointing to the eaten areas.




This is a picture of the back to prove that it is a machine made synthetic area rug. I have no way of knowing if the larvae survived long enough to turn into moths or if they died from eating a synthetic fiber. There were no larvae casings when I saw the rug, but if the rug was vacuumed before it was brought in the casings would have been sucked up. All area rugs should be professionally cleaned before storing.
When unwrapping your stored area rug that contained moth balls please do so in a well ventilated area and let the rug air out for a day or two. There may not be that old familiar musty smell but the gas the moth balls give off is still present.
If you have any other storage questions please do not hesitate to contact Luv-A-Rug(e-mail: luvvie@shaw.ca or phone 250-475-3922 or 1-800-886-2802 or drop by our shop at 445 Beta St (Alpha St) Victoria, BC website: www.luvarug.com) and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Since I cannot think of a better sign off line I will still say Thanks for reading! The Polished Area Rug Cleaner