A quality Oriental rug is a valuable investment. In general handmade Oriental and Persian rugs and carpets are hardy and resistant to wear, stains and aging when properly cared for and maintained. Certainly the better quality of material and workmanship that is used in making a rug, the easier it is to maintain it. And using good judgment is the best way to safely care for, maintain and enjoy your valuable rugs for now and future generations…
Our Oriental Rug Care Guide includes basic care information about:
HOW TO PREVENT AND MINIMIZE DAMAGE…?
WHAT TO DO TO WHEN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN…?
For a guide in handling spills and stains see How to treat Spills, Stains and Spots
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WHAT CAUSES DAMAGE…?
Oriental carpets need quality padding!
- Place a quality pad under your Oriental carpet.
- Proper padding helps avoid unnecessary wear by minimizing movement and wrinkling.
- Your carpet will be safer to walk on and will last longer.
Be aware of humidity!
- Protect your carpet’s foundation [especially cotton] from moisture. Humidity causes degradation to carpet fibers.
- Avoid liquid spills, leaks and water from potted plants.
- Use a [white] towel and blot the moist area.
- Pay attention to the back of the carpet and aerate to dry fully to avoid damage.
Keep the dust off!
- Minimize the accumulation and settlement of dust, dirt, sand or grit.
- These components can reduce the life of a carpet because they act like sandpaper to wear down the fibers.
HOW TO PREVENT AND MINIMIZE DAMAGE…?
Vacuuming Oriental carpets!
- Vacuum without a rotating beater brush attachment.
- Vacuum areas that are covered under furniture. These areas accumulate dust.
- Take care not to fray fringes by vacuuming them lightly.
- Aerate and vacuum the back of the carpet once in a while.
- Avoid vacuuming too often. Where and how the carpet is used will determine how often to vacuum a carpet
Insect damage!
- Certain insects such as moth, silver fish and carpet beetles like to feed on wool and cotton fibers in carpets.
- Some of the factors promoting infestations are dirt, dust and humidity in the carpet fibers. Also darkness and the absence of usage can cause concern.
Storage
- It seems that carpets are damaged by insects more often when stored than when used.
- If you are planning to store your carpets for a longer period of time [over six months] we recommend you have them professionally cleaned, treated and properly wrapped.
WHAT TO DO TO WHEN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN…?
Pet Accidents!
Animal urine and solid deposits can damage a carpet by bleaching the dyed fibers as well as cause the breakdown of wool, cotton or silk pile and foundation of carpet.
- Clean-up should be done as soon as possible.
- Remove solids and use an absorbent cotton or paper towel to soak up liquids.
- Absorb as much as you can on the front and back.
- Spray water to dilute urine and blot with dry towel and repeat.
- Repeatedly, Pets tend to use the same area. Consider professional cleaning, if this is the case.
- Read further in our How to treat Spills, Stains and Spots
Spills, Stains and Spots!
- Blot area with an absorbent [white] towel and remove as much of the spill as possible.
- If attempting to remove spots and stains, you should test a small inconspicuous area first.
- Clean stains and spots with mild soap suds and cold water and blot with a dry towel.
- If you feel confident and have experience you may consider instructions from other sources for removing stains.
- Our best advice is to always use good judgment