Tips to Store Rugs – Spread the Comfort

Rugs form an important part of the decoration in our house. However, it is good if we reserve the expensive and antique-like carpets for special occasions. Also, you would want to prevent the wear and tear of the carpet so that it stays in good shape for many more years. There are many people who have unused rooms at their disposal and so they can comfortably store the rugs in such rooms. But quite a few of us do not have spare rooms and hence we have to opt for a self storage unit. That’s when efficient storage tips come to your rescue. Mentioned below are tips to store rugs in the most optimal way.

 

Ensure that the storage unit is climate controlled – You need to make sure that the temperature found in the units is optimum. Climate controlled units use air conditioning and heat to ensure that the temperature range is proper. Also such units are clean and dry which makes them the perfect place for storage of rugs. You need to keep moisture away from the rugs as far as possible since even a little amount of humidity can spoil them. Direct sunlight also has the capacity to spoil them. Therefore, you need to keep the carpets away from any source of sunlight and you must avoid storing them anywhere close to the windows or fireplace. Storage units that are cool, dry, closed from all sides and those which maintain the right humidity levels are ideal for storing carpets or rugs. In case you live in an area where the humidity is high or low, you need to use a dehumidifier or humidifier accordingly.

Do not fold the carpets – Folding the carpets in any random direction can lead to the formation of

permanent creases. To avoid these issues, you need to roll the carpets and not fold them. You can even use a piece of metal or a rod for rolling the carpet. You can use a muslin cloth that has the same width as the carpet to form a neat covering for the rolled carpet. Museums and other historical places generally use polyurethane wrapping instead of muslin since the former is known to offer improved protection against dampness and insects. After rolling the carpet, secure the end using a polyester or cotton tape. Also, never place the rugs on the floor as it could lead to infestation by microbes. Store them above the surface of the ground in pallets or other elevated surfaces to prevent microbes from reaching them.

Avoid storing rugs in the basement or garage – Generally, storing the rugs

in the basement or garages can lead to formation of mildew and other forms of infestation as the air is moist in such places. Therefore, you should never store carpets in such places. Also, make a housekeeping plan so that your carpets are clean and free of dust. You need to vacuum all the nearby places as well so that no dust particles reach your carpets. Open the rolled rugs once a while; dust them and roll them again to keep the carpets fresh and clean.

Keep the above tips in mind while storing your rugs this season.

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Tips to Store Silverware - Keep It New and Sparkling

When it comes to storing silverware, it needs to be stashed with the utmost care. Any mistake on your part will lead to immense loss of money and resources. Therefore, you need to stow silverware carefully in the right manner. Mentioned below are a few tips to store silverware optimally.

Polish the silverware before storage – It is always a good idea to cover the goods with a polish that’s specifically made for silver and not the general ones that are used for polishing all the other things. Do not wash them in a

dishwasher as they are likely to get damaged in that case. Whenever, you are using soap for washing the silverware, remember to use the one that does not have lemon. That’s because lemon can react with silver and lead to undesirable chemical reactions that can damage the thing’s texture and appearance. Dry out the silverware using a cotton cloth and do not use tissue papers or other abrasive agents on its surface. Make sure that the things are completely clean as even little dirt can become a black mark if not attended on time. Sometimes, there are tiny white spots appearing on the exterior of the silverware due to its porous nature. Do not use tissue papers to remove the white spots and use silver polish and a cotton cloth to remove all the blemishes. Once all your celebrations are over and you do not need the silver till the next season, soak it in warm water for some time. Likewise, you can use dips to highlight the ornate areas of the silverware.

Take some precautions before storing it – Do not let the silver items come

in touch with salt or pepper ever as it can lead to undesirable reactions. Do not store silver directly in plastic bags. Never let them come in touch with rubber bands as they can lead to formation of dark spots on the silverware. You will notice that when the silver is not in use, it generally doesn’t get damaged. That’s because most of the damage happens when the silver is exposed to air. For the things that you will be storing in your cabinet, you can use anti-tarnish strips to double their shine. When the silverware displayed on a cabinet just begins to deteriorate, you will see some gold spots. You need to wipe them off using a cotton cloth or a pair of gloves that are used for polishing.

Obtain proper insurance for your goods – Make sure that all your goods are properly insured so that you can get monetary gains for the huge amount of loss that will be incurred during damage. Make a thorough list of the things that are stored and seek insurance for each of the goods.

Keep the above tips in mind before you store your silverware this season.  

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