The intricate designs and bright colors of braided rugs give us enough reason why they are our favorites. Be it in a living room or a hallway or stretching to a bedroom, these rugs fit perfectly into every space. Nevertheless, as with any other home decoration, braided rugs also require timely cleaning to remain beautiful and last long.
Everyone seeks an easy way out of cleaning their rugs. This guide delves deeper into the process of washing braided rugs, including what to precautions you have to take before putting them in a washing machine. Consequently, you will understand the best ways to maintain the beauty of your braided rug without damaging it.
Understanding Braided Rugs
Most of the braided rugs are made of long pieces of fabrics and fibers such as jute, wool, cotton, and polyester. These are very popular for the traditional and country aesthetic. Among all other types of braided rugs, braided rugs are proven to be more durable. No doubt why braided rugs are the favorite of many.
Braided rugs are designed to handle heavy traffic, but one aspect of them is that the process of their manufacturing determines the maintenance of such rugs. For those who love the warmth of natural wool or the vibrancy of cotton or synthetic materials in decor without the worry of matching rugs with the interior, a braided rug is a true miracle.
Apart from looking beautiful, braided rugs are practical and can be shifted easily, which makes them ideal for homes. However, although it is easy to find braided rugs in every household, these rugs need special care depending on what material or design they are made of in order to maintain their good appearance and condition.
Factors to Consider Before Washing Braided Rugs in a Washing Machine
Before throwing your braided rug into a washing machine, it is important to consider a number of factors. This comes in depth with the making of the rug, its dimensions, and its weight. That also means checking the fabric and washing care labels.
Material Considerations
- Cotton Braided Rugs: Usually braided rugs made from cotton are washable in machines. Therefore, they are ideal for houses with children and pets or places with high volumes of traffic. It is because the cotton braided material is durable and well-ventilated; thus, it can endure very soft machine wash. If your rug maker allows it, wash it in the machine using a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Doing this will be safe for the fabric and the colors.
- Wool Braided Rugs: Wool is definitely a durable material compared to some other materials but wool rugs should be maintained with care. Braided rug wool shrinks or distorts under high humidity conditions or when heated. It is also advisable that clean wool braided rugs simply be dry cleaned rather than handwashed to avoid damage to the fine texture of the rug since a washing machine would most likely destroy the current quality of the rug.
- Synthetic Fiber Rugs: Machine-washable rugs in synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester are also quite common. These materials are built to endure wetness and are stain-free; for example, fragmentation rugs are designed for areas with high traffic within the home. However, care should be taken since the primary care label washing instructions should always be adhered to.
Rug Size and Weight
- Checking your washing machine’s capacity: Although the fabric composition of your woven rug allows it to be cleaned in a washing machine, its dimensions and weight may present a problem. It is very important to confirm that the woven rug is able to fit in a laundry machine without any excessive stuffing. This is to prevent the rug from being washed unevenly, simply because too much has been stuffed inside the machine that some portions of the rug may not get wet.
- Alternatives for Larger or Heavier Rugs: If your braided area rug is fitted with a machine, take a trip to a laundry room and use their larger units. On the other hand, bathing the rug with water and detergent or seeking the assistance of a rug cleaner service for very large rugs can be a safer option.
Rug Construction
- Single-Piece Construction: Hard-wearing braids crafted from a non-stop strand of material are comparatively easier to machine wash. These kinds of rugs are less prone to damage while washing since they have fewer seams or sections that can become loose or frayed.
- Multi-Piece Construction: Rugs that are dependent on multiple parts sewn together are more vigilant. These could cause distress to the unit joined at the seams. In such cases of ease of machine cleaning, the units are simply better off dry cleaned or spot cleaned.
Steps to Safely Wash Braided Rugs in the Washing Machine
Now if you have found out that your rug can be cleaned in the washing machine. You can follow these steps for the best results
- Get the Rug Prepared for Washing: Before cleaning the rug, you should remove dust from your rug. Shake it outside properly. You can also vacuum it in order to get rid of the loose dirt present. Furthermore, in case of any stains present, it would be wise to wipe them using a wet cloth to avoid soaking the stains in further than necessary.
- Select Appropriate Wash Cycle and Temperature: The delicate or gentle setting should always be used for washing the rugs in order to protect their fibers. For instance, during washing, water should be preferred while avoiding shrinking, and this is very so for cotton or wool rugs.
- Detergent Must be Gentle. Choose the proper detergent based on the fabric of the rug. For others, like cotton or wool, use mild detergent due to the risk of ruining the fabrics. Regular detergent is often fine for synthetic rugs.
- Put the Rug Into The Washer: If the rug is too big, you may fold the rug, but do not stuff it in the washer. Leave enough space for water and detergent circulation.
- Rinse and Spin: Allow the appliance to complete a full rinse cycle to eliminate all traces of soap. Allow as much water out as possible using the spin cycle, but do not spin at high speeds, as that will cause the rug to lose its shape.
Alternatives to Washing Machine Cleaning
For braided rugs that may not be suitable for machine washing, there are alternative cleaning methods:
- Washing Thick and Ornate Rugs Handwashing: Handwashing can also be a more considerate approach for large or lattice-covered rugs. Immerse the rug in cool water laced with mild soap, swish it around, and then fully wash the rug out. Let the rug lie horizontally to air dry.
- Hygiene Services for Rugs and Rugs: If you are not confident of washing your rug on your own or it is too dirty to clean on your own, a good option is a rug cleaning service. They have the machines and experience needed to vacuum clean braided rugs safely.
Tips for Maintaining Braided Rugs
With proper care, your braided rug will not only last longer but also lessen the frequency of washes required. Following are some suggestions:
- Vacuum Regularly: Believe it or not, repeatedly sucking dust and dirt up helps avoid dirt sinking deep in the fabric, which would wear it out eventually.
- Spot Clean Spills Promptly: In case of a spill, encase the surface quickly with the assistance of a paper towel or a piece of cloth, which liquid will not be able to penetrate. Then use a suitable detergent to get the most damaged area repaired.
- Rotate Rugs: Rotating the rug after a period of a few weeks may also help to keep balance, especially in areas with high traffic.
- Use Rug Pads: Smooth surfaces such as wooden and tiled floors are where rugs are likely to slide, resulting in the risk of people tripping. A rug pad holds the rug in place and increases its life.
Conclusion:
Braided rugs can be thrown in the washing machine, however, the type, dimensions, and construction of the rug need to be considered first. Always evaluate the appropriateness of machine washing for your particular rug and consider the correct procedures to maintain the rug’s structure. With attention-to-care routines such as spot cleaning, vacuuming, and rotation, a braided rug can remain a decorative asset in your home for many years. When in doubt, it is advisable to either hand wash or engage the services of professional cleaners to ensure the aesthetic and structural integrity of the rug is retained. We at Homespice offer you machine-washable rugs that save you time and effort. Check out here at www.homespice.com
