The new year is here, and we are now fully in the winter season. Winter is a great time to tackle some of the homey DIY projects that you might have wanted to do (like replace the binding on a rug or piece of carpet). It’s also challenging in terms of getting around, staying healthy, and keeping the house clean. And when it comes to your area rugs, the season can be brutal. This is because road salt is a rug killer.
Road salt is a life saver, but not for your rugs. Anyone who has driven on snowy highways knows that salt helps keep your car on the road. It melts snow and ice, and it gives tires the traction they need to propel themselves forward. Unfortunately, road salt doesn’t just stay on the road. You can see it everywhere in the winter – on the sidewalks, on the bottom of your car, on your windshield, on your boots, and on the floors in your house.
What Damage Does Road Salt Do?
Road salt leaves unsightly looking stains because of the magnesium and calcium chloride content in the salt. When the water the salt is dissolved in evaporates, it can leave behind a crust. This crust is alkaline. When it remains on fabric long enough it can break down the fibers and even permanently damage them.
What Can You Do to Save Your Rugs?
There are many small things you can do to keep road salt away from your carpets and rugs. These include:
- Putting down doormats on the inside and outside of any entryway and scraping your shoes on them when you enter the house
- Taking off your shoes before you enter any living areas of the house and encouraging all family members and guests to do the same
- Covering your nice carpets with a thick, less valuable winter rug when the weather is really bad
- Wiping the paws of your pets before they come inside from walking or playing in the snow
- Sweeping and vacuuming all floor surfaces regularly
If you do track rock salt in the house, don’t panic. You can remove it with this simple cleaning method: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and pour it ianto a spray bottle. Spray this mixture on any area with salt. Rub it gently with a brush or cloth to bring the salt to the surface of the rug. Then press a clean cloth into the fibers to soak up the liquid. When the area is dry, vacuum it thoroughly.
If you do find that road salt has damaged one of your rugs or carpets, there are additional steps you can take. You can have your rug cleaned professionally. You can replace any damaged parts like rug fringes, or you can cut out the damaged parts and bind the remaining fabric into a smaller rug. If you need help with any of the replacement parts or binding products for your rugs, call us at Bond Products. That’s what we are here for!
