Five Rules for Cleaner Rugs: Emily Henderson Talks the New Rugs USA Line (and a Discount Code!)

Carpets get very dirty quickly. The point of carpets is that you walk on them, which makes them quite difficult to keep in pristine condition over time. It almost seems like a Sisyphean task! But when we learned that our friend Emily Henderson , interior designer and author , had teamed up with Rugs USA to produce a whole new collection of beautiful, affordable rugs , we knew we had to ask her for her best care tips to prevent wear and tear minimize. Tear. We also just wanted to find out more about your great new line.

PHOTO: Mark Weinberg for Emily Henderson x Rugs USA

Here's a quick look at the collection: It includes 20 styles in a variety of wallet-friendly sizes, some starting at just $90! The styles are Emily in the best sense of the word: lots of stripes, modern checks, geometric shapes, everything is flexible and timeless. She says: "I like things that are simple but special. This is one of my design philosophies that I repeat again and again. Not everything has to be loud, graphic or busy. That's what I kept in mind when designing this collection: I wanted the rugs to be truly versatile. These rugs are so transitional that they work anywhere. There's a mix of tufted jute, flatweave, wool and cotton blends so there really is something for everyone.

Even better, Rugs USA is offering Real Simple readers an exclusive 10% off sitewide with code REALSIMPLE10 through May 3, 2024, so you can score an Emily Henderson-designed piece and possibly a few other rugs for an even lower price can. of the page!

Now let's get back to the main problem: how to keep carpets clean and beautifully designed? Emily Henderson and the Rugs USA team shared their top tips.

Choose a durable material

First things first: To ensure your carpet lasts and looks great, you first need to use the right, durable material. Emily's sustainable choice: wool! Holds up well to daily use. She says, "One of my favorites, the Oregon Check Wool Rug , is a short pile rug, making it super stylish but also extremely functional for high traffic areas. You don't have to worry about this rug as it tolerates all medium and dark tones very well. As for the material to avoid if you want something easy to care for: silk. It is considered extremely sensitive and can easily stain. Cleaning is also a challenge.

Choose light carpets

PHOTO: Mark Weinberg for Emily Henderson x Rugs USA

To surprise! A light mat doesn't necessarily mean that all the dirt you leave behind will be exposed. "Of course, a crisp white carpet may show some dirt, but with the texture, contrast and larger yarn counts, you'll be surprised at how minimal the stains are and how much vacuuming is required!" said Emilia. He adds that a good rule is that medium tones hide both light hair and visible dust on darker carpets, as well as visible daily wear on white carpets. Her suggestions from the collection are the Merrick and Hyperion rugs, which are good examples of lighter rugs that help hide clutter with their creamy tones, lots of texture and contrasting fabrics.

Throw in shoes.

This may seem obvious, but some people have difficulty following this rule for a variety of reasons: certain foot conditions make walking barefoot difficult, or you may have strange feet that need to be contained. But it is one of the easiest ways to keep floors clean. Emily says: "If everyone adopted the 'shoes in' rule, your carpets would obviously perform better. And on the final point about carpet color, she adds, "I prefer a bright white or cream carpet in the bedroom, where there is generally less foot traffic and pets." »

Mark Weinberg for Emily Henderson x Rugs USA

Rotate your carpets regularly

If you've ever noticed a large dark spot on one end of your carpet, this area may be the most trafficked area. Rugs USA recommends changing rugs regularly to ensure even wear. Another tip: Do not constantly expose the carpets to direct sunlight, otherwise the colors may fade over time.

Never rub a stain

Rugs USA recommends following care instructions specific to the rug's material and construction, which many people do not do . But! There is a general rule recommended when cleaning a stain : never rub. They recommend gently blotting the stain with a clean, dry towel and gently scrubbing the stain with your carpet cleaner of choice. According to Rugs USA, rubbing makes the stain very difficult to remove. (That makes sense! It's basically the equivalent of grinding the paint down to the fibers!) And on that note: always vacuum regularly! This is crucial to the cleanliness of the carpet, regardless of the material. It helps remove dirt and dust and prevents debris from settling there.

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