You’re renovating, moving, or preparing for an extended trip abroad. But you’re worried about storing your heirloom rugs. You can relax. Finding the best way to store a rug is easy. Entrust your carpet to WheeKeep, the #1 choice for self-storage in Saudi Arabia.

Our 24/7 security and climate-controlled carpet storage protect your rugs from theft and the elements. We’ve helped countless customers store their carpets safely and can do the same for you.

Preparing your rug for storage requires a few steps. Read on, and we’ll walk you through all the steps of how to store carpets in storage.

Considerations With Carpet Storage

Improper storage can destroy your treasured heirloom rug. You must prepare your carpets properly and choose the right storage facility.

We know how much our storage guests cherish their family carpets. That’s why we’ve provided this information on how to store carpets in storage.

When You Might Need to Store a Rug Long-Term

There are many reasons why our customers put carpets into long-term storage. Here are a few of the most common.

Home Renovation or Construction

Many homeowners put their carpet into storage until construction work is completed and their house has been thoroughly cleaned. Carpet storage keeps rugs safe during renovations.

Relocation or Moving

You may need carpet storage if you’re moving out of the country on a business or military deployment. Homeowners also depend on storage units while they wait for their new home to be finished.

Seasonal Rotation

We have customers who own multiple valuable rugs. They rotate them seasonally or change carpets when they redecorate their spaces. Long-term storage keeps carpets safe without taking up room in their home.

Estate Planning

Some customers have inherited a beautiful rug that doesn’t fit in their current space. Others are moving to smaller spaces but keep their rugs in carpet storage so their children and grandchildren can enjoy them later.

Why Rugs and Carpets Require Special Care in Storage

You’ll soon see threadbare patches and holes if carpet beetles and moth larvae infest your rug. You must ensure that these pests can’t find their way to your stored carpet.

Rugs can also be damaged by moisture. Dampness soaks into the fibers, and soon the rug is stained and smells musty.

Temperature changes may cause the colors to bleed as the dyes “sweat” out of the fibers. The sunlight may also fade the colors and weaken the fibers. The good news is all this can be avoided with our tips on how to store carpets in storage.

How to Store Carpets in Storage: Our Advice on the Best Way to Store a Rug

We’ve helped countless clients with safe carpet storage, and want to help you as well. Here’s how to store carpets in storage safely.

Clean the Rug Thoroughly Before Storage

Dirt and grime embedded in a stored carpet can cause permanent stains. Organic matter and dander attract moths, beetles, and mice. While this isn’t an issue when your rug is stored in a climate-controlled unit like ours at WheeKeep, it’s still worth cleaning your rug prior to storage.

Vacuum both sides of the carpet. Spot-clean any stains that you find. Wash your rug with a carpet cleaner or with mild soap solution and a soft-bristled brush. We strongly recommend professional cleaning for the best storage results.

Let It Fully Dry to Avoid Mold and Mildew

You will return to unpleasant smells and mold stains if you put a damp rug in carpet storage. Use fans to move air across your freshly washed carpet. After the top surface feels dry, turn the carpet over and ensure the bottom padding is also dry.

How to Roll a Rug For Storage (and Why You Don’t Fold)

Folding a rug creates pressure along the fold lines. This stress can weaken or damage the fibers over time. They can also crack or break the rug’s backing. Folding is especially harmful to older rugs or rugs with stiff backs. Rolling is the best way to store a rug. Here’s how to roll a rug for storage:

1. Spread your dry rug on a clean surface and roll the rug inward.
2. Make sure the backing is on the outside of the roll.
3. When you’ve rolled your rug into a tight, even cylinder, secure it with soft ties or cotton straps.

Wrap Your Rug in a Protective Material

Many people “protect” their rolled wool rug by wrapping it in plastic sheeting. But plastic traps moisture that wool naturally holds. This can lead to “sweating” on the inside of the plastic and, ultimately, to dry rot and mildew.

Tyvek wrapping is the best way to store a rug because it’s breathable, so there are no worries about moisture build-up on your rug. But it also resists water, so you don’t have to worry about spills or water drips.

Elevate and Position the Rug Correctly in Storage

Place your rolled carpet on a pallet, shelf, or tarp to protect against moisture while preventing insects from reaching and damaging the carpet.

Standing your carpet roll upright is the best advice we have to offer on how to store carpets in storage. Vertical positioning helps your carpet maintain its shape. It also prevents flat spots or creases from forming on your rug.

Climate-Controlled Units Are Best for Rug Storage

Wondering how to choose a storage unit for carpet storage? Climate-controlled storage units that maintain a temperature between 55° are the best way to store a rug. They protect your carpet from damage to the backing and fibers.

How to Store a Rug Long-Term

You need to provide your carpet with every type of protection if you’re going to be putting it away for longer than a few months. Here are some common carpet care mistakes we see, along with instructions on how to store a rug indefinitely without damage.

Avoid Direct Contact With the Floor

One of the worst rug storage ideas is storing your rug in your garage or basement. Not only does water condense on cool concrete. Concrete floors wick up moisture from the ground beneath. Your carpet sucks up and traps that dampness when you leave it directly on the floor. Many people who stored their rugs in damp basements or garages discover this the hard way.

Elevating your rolled and wrapped flood also protects against flooding. Your carpet will stay safe against minor floods or water leaks if it is kept a few inches off the floor.

Use a Rug Storage Tube for Extra Support

A cardboard tube or PVC pipe gives your rolled carpet extra support. Over time, a heavy rug can deform and sag at the bottom. A rug storage tube distributes the weight across all layers so you don’t get creasing or stress points in the fibers and foundation.

Rug storage tubes also protect against crushing if other items press against your rolled rug in storage or during transport. Rug experts recommend a storage tube. Following their advice on how to roll a rug for storage is the best method to prevent damage to your carpet.

Protect Edges and Fringes Separately

Damage to your carpet’s fringes and edges can destabilize the whole rug and cause unraveling. Gently comb the fringes straight, then roll them inward with the pile.

For extra protection, lay a strip of acid-free paper or a small cotton towel over the fringes so they don’t get snagged or matted. Seal the ends of the rug package fully with a reinforced wrap.

Avoid Harsh Chemical Mothballs

Traditional mothballs or moth flakes repel adult moths by their smell. But that mothball scent can get into your rug’s fibers. Your rug and your room will have that pungent, sickly-sweet odor when you take it out of storage.

Mothball fumes are toxic to humans as well as insects. Anybody handling the rug or entering the storage unit will face potential skin or respiratory issues. Discourage moths with cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or professional-grade non-toxic moth protectant sprays

Don’t Stack Heavy Items on Top

You may be tempted to stack heavy items on top of your rolled carpet when you’re filling your storage unit. Don’t. The weight from boxes, furniture, or other items can cause severe damage to your rug’s fibers and backing material.

Store your wrapped rug vertically. If you must store your rug horizontally for a brief period, place it on a sturdy elevated platform like a pallet or shelf. Never put anything atop a horizontal carpet roll.

Unroll and Inspect Every 6-12 Months

Unroll your carpet every six to twelve months for signs of pest infestation or moisture damage. Check for musty odors that signify dampness or missing fiber trails that suggest moth larvae infestation.

Regular unrolling also prevents stress fatigue in the carpet fibers. Reroll the rug in the opposite direction of the original roll for best results. This alleviates stress, encourages the fibers to relax, and prevents storage creases from forming.

Trust WheeKeep For Simple, Safe Carpet Storage Solutions

WheeKeep has units for all your carpet storage needs. Load your carpets and other belongings in our moving storage unit, and we’ll deliver it to your new home. Or we can deliver a portable storage unit to your door. You pack the unit, and we take it back to our facility until you are ready to retrieve it.

Do you have valuable carpets at your office or commercial establishment? Check out our business storage, or keep your things safely stored in our on site storage unit until your project is completed. Storing carpets with WheeKeep is easy and safe.

Still wondering how to store a rug while you are away? Call our friendly customer support team for answers to all your carpet storage questions. Find out firsthand why we’re the #1 choice in Saudi Arabia today!

Closing Thoughts on How to Store a Rug in Storage

Now you know how to store carpets in storage safely. Follow our tips and you’ll never have to worry about keeping your rug in pristine condition while it’s in storage.

You can also check out our blog for more storage unit tips, including valuable information on how to store furniture in a storage unit.. But at this point, all that’s left to do is apply our tips on how to store carpets in storage. It starts with choosing the best carpet storage in Saudi Arabia – WheeKeep. Get started today!