Like other textiles made of natural fibers, Berber rugs are fragile compared to those made of synthetic fibers. Eventually, they are subject to wear and tear by reasonable use over time or by moths and other insects if you don't take adequate measures.
Storing rugs is something that you wouldn't generally reflect on. However, it's a process one should keep in mind; you will find it handy when remodeling your apartment or moving to a new place.
Before placing Berber rugs into storage. It would be best if you prepared them adequately.
We will simplify the process into several steps:
1 - Thoroughly clean the rug.
Avoid placing rugs in storage unless they are clean. Soiled carpets invite insect attacks and mildew. You must handle Berber rugs as you would with wool rugs.
It is usually better if you vacuum the rug multiple times. Use a professional vacuum if possible to ensure you extract as much dust and other microscopic particles as possible.
If you're going to store the rugs for a long time, have them professionally cleaned before storing them.
2 - Protect the rug from moths and other insects.
Inspect stored rugs from time to time. This way, you can be sure that insects are not attacking the rugs. Moth repellent products are not entirely reliable. Though their use can be helpful, please do not rely on them and exclude regular inspections.
3 - Tightly roll the rug for storage.
It's possible to fold or roll Berber rug or carpet. To determine which way to fold your Berber rug, decide which is more fragile: the rug's back or the pile. The pile is usually more delicate, meaning you should fold your carpet with the fur facing inward.
4 - Wrap the rug in a protective fabric.
Never store Berber rugs in plastic wrapping. The carpets should be able to absorb moisture from the atmosphere and release humidity into the atmosphere. It's preferable if you finish with wrapping a cotton sheet or muslin around the carpet at least one and a half times to keep it protected. Secure the sheet with cotton or polyester rope.
For valuable rugs, acid-free tissue paper is placed on the carpet and rolled up with it. Heavy acid-free paper is later used to wrap the rolled rug.
5 - Store the rug off the ground.
When storing your rug, it's essential to keep it off the ground since carpet beetles like to reside between the floor and your rug's back.
You'll also want to check that nothing else like boxes or other supplies lays on top of it since they can cause cracks and destroy the rug's shape.
It is vitally important to store your carpet in a good-tempered, dry environment without natural light exposure. The area where rugs are stored should not be subject to wide temperature variations. Some humidity is all right. But it should not be high enough to support mildew. The optimum storage conditions are 50% relative humidity and temperature of 70 F (21degree C). And don't forget to Consistently clean the storage room (vacuuming, dusting, etc.) and Periodically inspect stored rugs