Winter is coming. The summer clothes are going into storage or being pushed to the back of your closet to make way for sweaters and jackets and insulated leggings. Hot chocolate, pumpkin spice lattes, and spiked apple cider become cozy drinks. Your HVAC bills… Well, they can start to rise to horrifying levels. In a bid to lower your energy bills, you may wonder what can help keep your house warm that doesn’t involve increased energy consumption.

Rugs could be just the ticket you need. Most homeowners already know about common energy-saving hacks, like checking for drafty windows and unplugging appliances when they’re not in use. But your rugs can help in this mission too. 

Here’s what you need to know about how rugs can help keep your house warm in the winter months. 

Good For More Than Decor

Rugs are commonly used as a way to add personality and coziness to a space. Sleek as wooden floors may be, they can be cold – both in appearance and in regards to heat. Rugs can really tie a room together with colors, textures, and placement.

They also help to keep your home warm. With strategic placement and careful consideration to the material and stitch count, you can use your rug to bring warmth to a room. 

How Can A Rug Warm A Room Up?

Alright, so yes, a rug can warm your room up. But how can they do this?

They do this through providing increased insulation and preventing heat loss. Some people mistakenly believe that a rug will absorb the warm air in a room. In truth, a rug will trap cold air underneath it, which helps to keep a room warm. 

It’s estimated that about 10% of heat loss around your home is because of your floors. We also lose heat through our extremities, like our feet, which can make cold floors all the more painful. While rugs are no replacement for central heating or a space heater or a gas fireplace, they can improve insulation, which warms your home up.

The Material Matters

When choosing a rug for decor purposes, the design, colors, and textures play a significant role. When choosing a rug for warmth, the material matters. Different materials provide different levels of insulation. For the best insulator, you’d want to opt for a wool rug. 

However, if your rug is constantly exposed to wetness, you want something easier to maintain, or wool is out of your price change, you may want another material. Cotton is next best in line, but nylon and acrylic can work too.

The Higher The Stitch Count, The Better

You know how when you’re shopping for sheets, the higher the thread count, the better quality they are likely to be? A similar thing applies to shopping for a rug for warmth. The higher the stitch count, the denser the rug is, which means that it will be warmer and a better insulator than another rug with a lower stitch count. 

Bigger = More Insulation

Size can play a role in how well your rug can help keep your house warm. The bigger the rug, the better, of course. However, you can also place smaller rugs strategically around your space, such as in areas that you know are more prone to heat loss.

Insulated Rug Pads Improve Insulation

Well, duh, you say. Insulation is in the name, after all. If you have a decorative rug that isn’t made from a very dense or insulating material, you can use an insulated rug pad underneath it in order to give the rug more functionality. These insulated rug pads come in a variety of types and thicknesses, so you can choose the one best suited to you.

Heated Or Thermal Rug Mats Work Wonders

These are like insulated rug pads, but better, if you want your rug to be warm to walk on and to provide heat, rather than just insulation. It’s important to be careful with these, as some models aren’t safe to use around water and some can overheat. You want to select one that is safe and best suited to your purposes.

The Cleaner, The Better

If your rug is dirty, it can exacerbate health issues, especially respiratory problems. In order to help your rugs look and perform their best, you want to ensure that you keep them nice and clean. It’s also important to do this for the sake of your health.

TNT Cleaning Company is here to help. We provide professional rug cleaning services that keep your rugs in good condition for as long as possible. Contact us today to learn more about the cleaning services we can offer to you.