Take your spring cleaning to the next level with National Lumpy Rug Day on May 3. This day holds a few different interpretations. For some, it could be a time to clean or replace those worn-out rugs, while for others, it’s a time to appreciate our old comforting rugs. And for other people, the rug may be metaphorical, and straightening out lumps may mean getting out of the habit of sweeping issues under the proverbial rug. Whatever this day means to you, it’s time to let go of the old and invite in the new.
History of National Lumpy Rug Day
Rugs are beautiful woven textiles that add a little something extra to our boring floors. There are different kinds of rugs, made of different types of fabric, but they all bring comfort and warmth to our feet, as well as color and life to the rooms they’re found in. The oldest carpet in existence is the Pazyryk carpet from Siberia, which dates from the 5th to 4th century B.C. However, the history of rugs dates back to Turkey in the Neolithic Age, around 7000 B.C. The term carpet was first used in English in the late 13th century, with the meaning ‘coarse cloth’. The meaning of the term carpet shifted in the 15th century to refer more specifically to floor coverings. Different nations have different stories as to the origins of rugs and their value. Persian rugs are said to be the most exquisite, and date back to the Bronze Age. The earliest surviving Persian carpet comes from the Safavid dynasty of the 16th century. There are certain paintings, however, that show a longer history of rug production. Iran is currently the largest producer and exporter of handmade carpets. The country produces a whopping three-quarters of the world’s total output. Oriental carpets were a foreign concept and did not appear in Europe until after the Crusades in the 11th century. Rug production only became a serious entity in England during the 16th century. Rugs can be beautiful additions to any home, but sadly nothing lasts forever. Over time, the fibers can get pulled and bunch up, creating an unfortunate lump in the rug. Some people would argue that this represents character, while others take this as a sign that it’s time to revamp the rug or get rid of it.
National Lumpy Rug Day timeline
The oldest records of carpets emerge from Çatalhöyük Neolithic pottery.
The Pazyryk carpet, which is the world’s oldest carpet, dates back to this time.
Oriental carpets begin to appear in Europe after the Crusades.
The meaning of the word ‘carpet’ shifts from a generic term to a specific term for floor coverings.
National Lumpy Rug Day FAQs
What were rugs originally used for?
The first rugs were created by nomadic people of central Asia who needed to keep warm. Due to the fact that they herded sheep, wool to make rugs with was easy to come by.
What is an area rug?
An area rug is simply a carpet that covers a particular area of a room, rather than the whole room.
What is the most commonly used rug?
Because of their soft texture and durability, wool rugs are the most popular.
National Lumpy Rug Day Activities
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Clean your rugs
National Lumpy Rug Day is observed during spring which is the perfect time for cleaning. Clean your rugs by removing the materials which have settled under them, steaming them, and spreading them out in the sun for a brief time to bring them back to pristine condition.
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Replace your old rugs
If you want something new, that’s okay too. Go shopping for new rugs and swap out those old ones. Let go of the sentiments and try something new.
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Face your fears
Another interpretation of National Lumpy Rug Day is us sweeping our issues or fears under the carpet so we don’t have to face them. Today, make a list of fears and things that are adding lumps to that metaphorical carpet, and choose to face them head-on.
5 Interesting Facts About Rugs
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It’s slightly different from a carpet
Any rug larger than 40 square feet in size is considered a carpet.
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It takes time to be Persian
The quality of a Persian rug is always determined by how many knots it has in an inch by inch square, and it takes about 400 days to make one genuine Persian rug.
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You can play football on it
The world’s largest carpet was woven in Iran and was the size of a football pitch.
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It could use some salt
A little sprinkle of salt before a good vacuuming can make a carpet brighter.
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Red carpets are old
Red carpets date back to 458 B.C. and were used to mark the ceremonial and formal routes of leaders and politicians.
Why We Love National Lumpy Rug Day
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It’s an opportunity to clean our carpets
Getting a carpet clean is one of the more challenging cleaning tasks faced by any household and we tend to put it off for as long as possible. Rugs are great for many things — and unfortunately harboring dirt is one of those things. This day gives us a chance to get the job done and clean our carpets.
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It’s a chance to face our fears
National Lumpy Rug Day also provides a chance to stop sweeping issues under the carpet. Today we get to face our fears head-on.
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It’s rug appreciation day
National Lumpy Rug Day is also a great opportunity to appreciate our old rugs, and how much they have meant to us. Lumps represent age, memories, and character. So while cleaning or taking away those carpets, take a moment to cherish those memories.
National Lumpy Rug Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 3 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | May 3 | Friday |
| 2025 | May 3 | Saturday |
| 2026 | May 3 | Sunday |
| 2027 | May 3 | Monday |
