Long Term Storage for Natural Fiber Rugs
Wash and Apply Repellent. Cleaning the rug removes any potential food source for insects. Applying an insect / moth repellent makes the rug taste sour to bugs so they won’t want to eat it. It is especially important to protect rugs in storage because moths like rugs in dark undistrubed places. Moths are not attracted to rugs made of synthetic materials (i.e. nylon, polyester, polypropylene, etc.) so a repellent isn’t necessary.
Roll. Start rolling at the bottom end for a tighter roll. “Pet” your rug and follow the direction going with the nap/grain and you will go to the bottom end of the rug. Folding rugs conserves space, but can cause undue stress on the foundation which could result in creases or lumps.
Wrap to keep rodents out. Wrapping a rug can protect it from rodents. However, you should never store a natural fiber rug in plastic. Plastic can’t breathe and wool naturally retains moisture. This can cause condensation inside the plastic wrap which leads to problems for the rug like musty odors, mildew, dry rot or browning.
Wrapping in brown kraft paper could be used for short term storage since it breathes, but it punctures and tears easily so it is not as protective against rodents. A better option is to wrap the rug in Tyveck, since it is water and tear resistant but breathable. Take a picture of the rug and tape it to the outside of the wrapping to easily identify what rug it is.
Where to store. Do not store a rug directly on the floor to protect it from water damage or problems caused by moisture. It is better to have the rug on top of other items so it is elevated off of the floor. Don’t stack heavy items on top of the rug to prevent strain or damage to the rugs foundation. Avoid storing rugs in attics, garages or sheds. A better option is in a climate controlled area with fairly consistent temperature and humidity levels. Distinctive offers long term storage for rugs, learn more here.
Inspect the rug annually. Unroll the rug and visually inspect it about once a year. Reapply insect repellent every two years. The same Tyveck paper can be used with clear packing tape to rewrap. Write the date on the outside so you can keep track of the last time it was inspected.