Care and Use of Painted Floorcloths?

WHAT IS A FLOORCLOTH?

A floorcloth is a painting designed for use on the floor as a rug and can be purchased ready-made from ArtistFran, or we can create one to meet your size, color and design specifications. It is a work of art that will become a family heirloom, much in the same way as quilts do. Because it can be custom made, a hand painted floorcloth can offer more design versatility than wool or synthetic rugs. It is made of canvas, paints and protective sealants.

EASY CARE AND MAINTENANCE

A floorcloth will offer many years of enjoyment and hold up to substantial use. It is easy to care for, requiring only occasional cleaning with mild soap and a damp sponge. Since the materials from which these rugs are made don't provide a harbor for dust mites, mold or mildew, it has the added advantage of being non-allergenic. Also, it is resistant to stains that can permanently mar fiber rugs, such as red wine stains. It can provide a visual focal point for a room or can serve as a more subtle backdrop.

WHERE CAN I USE IT?

A floorcloth is a rug well suited for any interior room with a floor such as wood, linoleum, concrete and some types of tile. It should not be used over carpet since the layer of carpet underneath would crush under the weight of walking and cause the painted surface to bend repeatedly. Suggested uses:

Dining room tables, kitchen tables and under highchairs. All spills can be quickly wiped away with a damp cloth

Kitchens - Brighten a dull linoleum floor or accent a wood floor.

Entryways and hallways - High traffic areas where muddy footprints clean up easily.

Bedrooms, Living and family rooms - a floorcloth can be custom designed to compliment your furniture, bedding or window treatments.

Powder Rooms - floorcloths offer a nice alternative to traditional department store bathroom rugs.

Office - Fox and equine-theme floorcloths add a sense of elegance to an office.

Game Rooms - Painted English pub signs add an appropriate touch and can provide a humorous conversation piece.

One of the major benefits of this type of rug is their stain resistant quality. They are coated with three layers of polyurethane sealant that protect them from virtually any staining. And, unlike wool or synthetic fiber rugs, there are no expensive rug cleaning bills with a floorcloth.

INSTALLATION

Before installing your floorcloth you should clean the floor extremely well by vacuuming and then damp mopping. Even a small particle can affect the painted surface causing a bump to be seen. (Should this occur, simply turn back the corner of the rug to find the location of the bump and remove the particle.) Next, check the feet of any chairs or tables that will be placed on top of the the rug and make sure that there is a protective glide cap attached to the bottom. This makes it easier to move furniture around once it is put in place. Position the canvas on the floor and unroll slowly (especially if the canvas has been cold). Floorcloths tend to stiffen up in cold weather but they become flexible again once they warm up.

CLEANING

As with any floor covering you should clean it after it has been down for a while. First, vacuum the area very well. Be sure to pull the corners back and vacuum underneath the edge. Next, take a damp mop and soft soapy water (or white vinegar and water) and mop it as though you were mopping linoleum. If you notice a stubborn spot of dirt that your mop cannot remove put a small dab of liquid abrasive cleanser on a damp sponge and gently wipe over the area (a soft bristled old-fashioned scrub brush also works well). Rinse the rug well with clean water and wipe dry. Do not use strong cleansers, those with strong abrasives or that leave a sticky residue on the surface (like oil soaps).

When the floorcloth is clean and dry, apply a thin coat of good quality clear bowling alley style paste wax, which does not affect the colors of the painting. Your floorcloth was delivered with a coating of this wax on top of the layers of acrylic sealer. Cleaning with soap will remove the wax coating. After you have rubbed the wax on, buff it with a clean soft rag. This will provide another layer of protection for the painted design.

Sometimes even a floorcloth can become damaged. The edge may appear worn after heavy use. In that case simply take a sponge and touch up with the appropriate color of acrylic or latex paint. (If you have been waxing your rug regularly be sure to give it a good scrubbing before attempting to apply any paint, as the wax will resist the paint.) Do NOT fold or bend your floorcloth. Instead, roll it up with the painted side out. Do NOT put your rug in the washing machine! Do NOT leave your floorcloth outside in the weather or sitting in water.

MOVING AND STORAGE

Transferring a large floorcloth from one room to the next or to another house requires only a few minutes. Be sure to roll the canvas (with the painted side facing out) onto a 6" - 8" diameter rigid tube and secure with a clean piece of elastic cord (like bungee cord) or some other material as long as it doesn't dig into the canvas or leave marks or residue of any kind. Plastic PVC pipes available at the home supply store work very well. When you are ready to place your rug in its new area, be sure to allow the rug to become warm before removing it from the tube. Unroll the rug slowly and place on the floor. Do NOT force it to flatten; it will eventually flatten completely as it warms. Store a floorcloth you are not using either rolled as mentioned above or flat.

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