You should be aware of this problem if plants are in or near your rugs. If you’re a rug cleaner, you may see plants when you pick up rugs to clean.
Even the most careful of people spills. There are spills when spraying leaves or adding water to the planter. Over time, there will be small spills.
Condensation can also form around the planter’s base if the pot is heavy or not moved very often.
You may find that the rugs are dry to the touch.
You don’t even know what is happening inside the rug.
The foundation warps are those fringe tassels you see on the woven rug. The warps of the carpet are made up of one strand that runs from the center to the other side. The wool or silk fuzzy knots then wrap around this strand.
Cotton absorbs moisture.
If you spill something on a silk or wool rug, you can use a towel to “wipe it up” because a small amount of moisture will have already seeped into the cotton fibers and made them damp.
You will not be able “feel” the interior of the rug. A moisture probe is the only way to find out.
Rug cleaners use moisture probes to ensure every rug is completely dry before being placed on the shelf marked “ready” or in storage. This is because moisture can cause mildew to grow.
Cotton fibers rot when exposed to moisture for a long time. When dry rot occurs, the fibers fall to pieces.
You could create a hole if you need to be more careful. The rug will crumble in your hands.
Water coolers, condensation from HVAC units, any home leaks that may affect walls or floors, and pets are all other sources of moisture. Water coolers, HVAC condensation, leaks in the home, or even pets can cause damage. Pets can cause additional damage by creating stains, odors that are difficult to remove, and contamination. This is why it’s important to clean up pet waste immediately.
Keep the plants away from your rugs to reduce the risk. If spills occur, wipe them up immediately and elevate the rug for longer than you think you need to, just so you can be sure that the inside of the rug has been dried. I’ve used my hair dryer set to warm to dry and spilled it on the back of the rug to ensure it was dry. Warm air speeds up the evaporation.
While you may be very careful about watering your plants, not everyone at home will share your level of care. You cannot prevent the long-term damage that condensation can cause to oriental rugs.
Flip your rug over to see if there are any damp areas. When you touch the rug, cotton fibers experiencing mildew and dry rot feel stiffer. Because the rug’s foundation fibers are usually white cotton, you can see mildew activity by looking at the discoloration.
Even colorfast rugs can show dye migration on the reverse side if they are exposed to moisture for a prolonged period. If there’s a problem, you will be able to see it. And if there IS, stop the source of water exposure and treat the rug with extra care.