I love throw rugs. They are useful for so many things. In the kitchen they provide a little cushion in front of the sink and stove. In the bathroom not only do they provide cushion on that hard tile but they also help keep the floor dry. At the entrances of your home they can cut down on the amount of dirt that is track into your house, this works especially well if there is one both inside and outside of every door.
Rugs can also change the look of a room. If you have laminate or tile you can buy a large rug that matches your décor. It’s an easy and fairly inexpensive way to change the look and feel of a room. Rugs on tile, laminate or hardwood make the room warmer.
The only pitfall is that all these rugs need to be cleaned, frequently. The rugs at your entrances need to be cleaned at least once a week otherwise they will not be able to collect additional dirt and keep it from getting in your home. The rugs that are meant for entrances are usually a sturdy bunch so I take my outside and hose them down. When I clean them I wet them down with the hose, spray them well with vinegar and water and if they can take it and they need it I scrub them with a scrub brush. After the scrubbing I hose them down really well. This is especially important in the winter, salt and other ice melting compounds get stuck on shoes and can ruin your carpet and floors so it’s necessary to keep the rugs clean, even if it is a little more difficult.
Most of the throw rugs in my home can be thrown in the washer and dryer but when the weather is nice I prefer to throw them over the clothesline or fence and hose them down, not only does this get them clean but they smell wonderful after drying in the sun.
Larger rugs in your home will need different care depending on the material. Make sure when you purchase a large rug you know what fibers it contains and how to clean them. If a rug is too difficult to clean, or really unable to be cleaned it may not be the best choice for a home with kids and dogs. If you find a beautiful rug that’s almost impossible to clean put it in a room that gets very little use otherwise it will quickly look dirty and that will make the whole room appear dirty.
I love looking at thrift stores for rugs. This allows me to change things up when I get bored with the way a room looks and if it isn’t perfect for my home and cleaning methods, at least it was inexpensive.