Care and Repair

(Posted on 07/01/14)

Oriental rugs have a justifiable reputation for being extremely durable, but they are not indestructible, and proper care and maintenance will greatly enhance both the beauty and life of your rug.  In addition to normal wear and tear, central heating, air conditioning and a number of household chemicals can have a detrimental effect on the fabric of a rug.  But wool is a marvellous rug-making material and, provided that a few simple precautions are taken, your oriental rug will last for many years.Cleaning  Should be undertaken regularly and slowly.  Unless your rug is very old or in a poor state of repair - in which case a specialist cleaner should be consulted - the best way to remove grit and dirt is to use a carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner with beater bars.  First vacuum the back of the rug, the beating effect will cause grit to fall out of the pile - before turning it over and going lightly across the face.  Vacuum cleaners with extremely violent beaters should be avoided because they may damage the foundation.  If in any doubt, it is safer to use a carpet sweeper or brush.Additional maintenance measures  Protect your rug from damage by moths, excessive sunlight and localized wear and tear.  The dangers of insect damage are easily avoided by combination of regular washing and the use of a compatible moth repellent spray.  Excessive fading can occur if a rug is exposed to long periods of strong sunlight, and is best avoided by either relocating the rug or putting it in storage for the summer.  When storing a rug, first have it cleaned, washed and moth-proofed.  It should then be covered, on both sides, in polythene and carefully rolled against the lay of the nap (the way the pile faces) into a reasonably tight cylindrical form.  It can then be stored in a dry environment.  The easiest way to localized wear and tear is to occasionally move or turn the rug so that the normal pattern of traffic is taken over different parts of the pile.