| Area rugs have been around for centuries. In | | | | commercial so called steam cleaners, I say so |
| modern decorating the usages seems to have | | | | called because they do not use steam to clean |
| peaks and valleys that cycle ever 10 to 15 | | | | the carpet or rug they use hot water, do a |
| years. Right now, area rugs are definitely | | | | better job than a vacuum, but they still do |
| the "in" floor covering. There are a number | | | | not remove all the dirt, dust and other |
| of reasons for their current popularity. | | | | contaminants that have made their way through |
| | | | to the under padding. As well, cleaning with |
| Carpeting in one manner or another has always | | | | water has the potential of doing damage to |
| been a popular floor covering. The | | | | the floor beneath the carpeting. |
| decorating cycle that seems to be prevalent | | | | |
| is between area rugs and wall-to-wall | | | | Now that other floor coverings, such as |
| carpeting. One of the inherent problems with | | | | hardwood and laminates have come down in cost |
| wall-to-wall carpeting is the difficulty in | | | | and are being manufactured for installation |
| cleaning. Carpeting is one of the worst | | | | by the home handyman, wall-to-wall carpeting |
| enemies of individuals with respiratory or | | | | is decreasing in popularity and area rugs are |
| asthmatic health problems. It traps, dirt, | | | | being used to create warmth and decoration. |
| dust, mold spores, animal dander, and a host | | | | Where wall-to-wall carpeting is generally a |
| of other allergens. | | | | flat color, area rugs give a homeowner the |
| | | | ability to decorate with an assortment of |
| The better the carpet, by number of fibers | | | | colors, patterns, and even textures. |
| per inch, the worse the problem. Vacuum | | | | |
| cleaners, no matter how powerful, never | | | | Area rugs are not an economical replacement |
| remove a 100% of the dust or other | | | | for wall-to-wall carpeting and although you |
| contaminants. If you don't believe me, use | | | | can find area rugs for three and four dollars |
| your current vacuum over an area of | | | | a square foot, you can find area rugs that |
| wall-to-wall carpeting (after vacuuming, with | | | | are hundreds of dollars per square foot. A |
| the power still on, hold the hose in the air, | | | | Persian hand made area rug can be in excess |
| stretch and shake the hose as best you can to | | | | of ten thousand dollars. |
| remove any dust that may be trapped in the | | | | |
| hose). Clean out the bag or canister, | | | | Many wall-to-wall manufacturers sell their |
| ensuring that there are no dust remnants. | | | | end of roles to other manufacturers who cut |
| Vacuum the same area again check the bag or | | | | the remnants to standard sizes and apply |
| canister and you will see more dirt and dust! | | | | edging to the boarders. Although these are |
| | | | sold by the big box retailers as area rugs, |
| Area rugs have the same inherent problem of | | | | the base material is not made to lie flat on |
| trapping dirt, dust, and pollen, however they | | | | a floor. Wall-to-wall carpeting is |
| have the advantage that they can be | | | | manufactured to be stretched when installed. |
| conveniently removed from the home and taken | | | | This is important to maintain the connection |
| to be dry-cleaned a process which will remove | | | | of the fibers to the backing. Wall-to-wall |
| all contaminants including animal dander and | | | | carpeting used as an area rug, will curl and |
| other contaminants. The residential and | | | | will a relatively short life span. |