If you want history, culture and all the good feelings associated with seeing something unique, get yourself a rug made the southwestern way. It will bring you to the era of the old America, reminiscent of Native Americans weaving rugs beautifully in the freshness of the countryside.

Southwestern rugs have a rich history. In fact, they weren’t rugs to begin with. Rather, they started off as blankets fabricated to wear around the shoulders. In ancient times, Southwestern tribes used hand-spun cotton thread to weave. Later on, in the 1500s, the Spanish settlers introduced local wool from the Churro sheep and since then wool is primarily used to make their vibrant rugs and other folk weaving.

Most of the southwestern rugs today come from areas where Spanish and Native Americans have come together to create colorful designs. They are often called Native American rugs or are sometimes identified by the name of the tribe that makes them – like Navajo or Zapotec. Sacred figures are woven into these pieces with amazing patterns and colors which reflect an impressive amount of craftsmanship and hard work.

These rugs need a high density of fiber and can take more than a year to weave. Some of the popular southwestern rugs are handmade area rugs, Spirit rugs, Mexican Guadalupe rugs, and Oaxaca Mexico rugs including Zapotec Indian rugs, Mohair and Navajo rugs. Buying such pieces not only makes you a proud owner of age old tradition but also helps the native community carry on a beautiful tradition that reflects their rich heritage of making beautiful rugs and other arts.

Selecting a floor covering depends on what you personally like and what kind of decor you have in your home. If you are inclined towards a western setting, then southwestern rugs with their rustic and ancient feel will surely complement the whole room. No two southwest table runners and tapestries will be alike. Hand woven floorings are favored by many designers because of the abundance of colors and patterns.

Southwestern rugs of various kinds require more care and maintenance because of their complex textures, colors and designs. Here are few tips to help you take better care of your lovely, valuable possessions.

Ensure that the rug is well put on the floor. A safeguard pad is an affordable yet incredibly handy tool for taking care of rugs and other floor coverings.

Regularly flip your rug to even out the wear and tear and treat it for bugs and carpet beetles.

Cleanliness is good but prevention is better. Stains can be scrubbed and washed, don’t worry. That is if you do it immediately and with the right products. However, shielding your southwestern rug from stains or dirt is the way to go.

Vacuuming is better than machine brushing. Send it to a professional for cleaning if it gets dusty or starts fraying.

Try to place the rug in an area where there is no exposure to moisture, such as in places with plants around. Plants can cause it to be affected by mildew.

This amazing, historic, spiritual piece of art will add beauty and charm to any home.

If you found this information about rug decorating helpful, then you will adore these southwestern style rugs.