Extended exposure to bright sunlight can cause the colours in the fibres to fade, spoiling the appearance of the carpet. A little sunlight every now and then will be fine, but wool carpets laid in an area that has constant sunlight all-day long are likely to lose their quality of appearance.
The color of your wool carpet can fade with time if it's constantly exposed to sunlight. This usually isn't a problem, and definitely doesn't mean you have to avoid any rooms with windows.
As you may know from experience, exposure to sunlight can cause the color of carpet flooring to fade. To prevent your carpet flooring from fading, you should try to limit sunlight exposure as much as you can. You can also use a fluorocarbon protector that will protect your carpet from fading temporarily.
Silk rugs should be placed in low-traffic areas and out of direct sunlight, which, over time, can fade the dyes in the rug.
The sun's rays beating through home windows can and will fade carpet with time and it is something that can happen in any home, especially homes with large floor to ceiling windows. When carpet is constantly in contact with direct sunlight there are going to be spots that fade or bleach out over time.
Exposure to direct sun can actually “bake” the fibre, brittle it and cause it to decompose. After years of sunlight, the carpet fibre will succumb to the influence and break down. This is why you may sometimes see threadbare carpet in front of sliding glass doors.
Restoring with Salt Water Solution
It is possible to bring back some of the bright colors back by cleaning your carpet with a solution of 50/50 salt and hot water. Apply the solution with a damp cloth and let dry. Vacuum after it thoroughly dries and you should see some improvement.
While carpet has changed over the years, today, its lifespan is usually anywhere from 5 to 15 years. The length of time that a specific carpet lasts depends on the type of carpet, carpet cushion, carpet fibers, and wear and tear the carpet is exposed to.
You can expect a wool carpet to last for 20–25 years. They are one of the hardest-wearing types of carpet available.
If you are planning on placing items in a sunny location, consider natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and wool blends. Fabrics blended with acrylic, polyester, and nylon are also less likely to fade. Avoid selecting fabrics like linen and silk as they are prone to fading quickly.
You need to steam clean your wool carpet at least once a year. At a glance, your carpet may appear clean, but there is a chance of a lot of hidden dirt. Dried mud, dust or trapped sand can wear the fibres of your carpet as you move around day today. Steam cleaning once a year can remove this hidden build-up of dirt.
Though a higher-end product, wool is not delicate. Its resilience is rated good to excellent and when properly maintained, it stands up to decades of wear. One notable aspect of its natural durability is its inherent elasticity that resists crushing.
Brighten faded carpet and rugs by rubbing them down with a rag that has been soaked in salt water, then wrung out. You can also submerge throw rugs and drapes in a solution of salt water, then wash as usual.
Carpet will eventually fade over time of course due to a number of reasons such as sunlight, carpet cleaners and even certain spills or residue from medications and moisturises.
Mix 1 cup of white vinegar and ½ cup of salt with 3 cups of hot water. Dampen a sponge and apply the solution to your carpet or rug. It isn't necessary to soak the sponge. Lay your rug on a flat, solid surface.
Mix 4 cups of warm water with 2 tbsp of white vinegar. Pour this solution over the stained area of your carpet. After letting it soak into the stain for about 5 minutes, rub the stain with a cloth or sponge. The bleach stain should gradually start to disappear.
Over time, the carpeting of your home is subjected to damage from ordinary use, spills and fading from the light of the sun. Even a high-quality carpet will begin to show wear after a while. Rather than go to the expense of replacing your carpet, you can rejuvenate it instead by covering the stains and wear with dye.
However, even carpet that is unprotected from direct unfiltered sunlight (from any route) can evolve noticeable fading damage in as little as six months. If fading occurs in carpeted areas that are susceptible to unfiltered sunlight, it is not an indicate that a carpet has inadequate light fastness properties.
When exposed to the sun, your vibrantly colored Oriental rug will soon start to look dull and patchy. The extent of the fading and the time it takes to fade depends on the intensity of sunlight that area receives. The more sunlight the area gets, the faster the colors will fade.
How Does Sunlight Damage My Rug? Just as the sun's UV rays can affect the color of our skin, so too can it affect the color of your oriental rug. Over time — and with repeated exposure — your oriental rug's color will fade due to the harmful UV rays.
Polypropylene rugs are highly stain-resistant and will not grow mildew or fade when exposed to outdoor elements. This makes them excellent solutions for outdoor spaces and indoor areas with high-moisture or where frequent spills occur.