The Care of Oriental Rugs

The beauty and quality of your oriental rug can be maintained for decades to come with proper care and cleaning. The maintenance information reviewed below will assure you years of luxuriant service from your newly purchased rug.

Basic Care

Rug wear is inevitable but preventive steps can be taken to greatly reduce the effects of wear. Frequently rotating your rug 180 degrees will help equalize the effects of wear and the elements on your rug or kilim. It is a good idea to occasionally rearrange the layout of the room to alter traffic patterns across the rug. Moths and dampness are what really threaten the longevity of your oriental rug. A rug in use which is frequently moved and exposed to air and light is rarely in danger of moth damage. Dampness can cause mildew and deterioration of rug threads and fabric. Avoid displaying or storing the rug anywhere that is not dry and well ventilated. Avoid soaking the rug when cleaning spills. Never place a planter on the rug unless an air circulation space exists between the container and the rug. Exposure to sunlight and household fumes should be considered when displaying the rug. . Continual exposure to sunlight will eventually cause color fading and increase the rugs brittleness. Fumes from the stove, chimney and furnace create an acidity which will adversely effect the rug. Limit exposure to these elements when deciding on where the rug will be displayed.

Pads

A good quality padding under your rug is essential for rug preservation. Pads stabilize the rug, minimize friction between the floor and rug, provide breathing space beneath the rug and add to sound absorption. We carry a large selection of pads for carpeted or hard wood floors. Avoid any pad which is too soft or thick as they cause the foundation of the rug to be stretched when weight is placed on the rug.

Hanging

If you wish to hang your rug or kilim, Our Experienced repair staff can offer various solutions when it comes to hang a rug, Do not use nails or staples to hang the rug, and avoid hanging rugs from the warp threads.

Storage

If your rug or kilim has to be stored for any extended period of time, make sure the rug is clean. It is a good idea to treat the rug with a moth repellent prior to storage. Roll the rug against the lay of the nap to form the tightest cylinder (the direction of the nap can be determined by running your hand across the pile in the direction of the fringe) Wrap the rug with a cloth or a sheet. Do not use a plastic bag as the rug needs to breath. Store in a dry, cool well, ventilated area to avoid mildew or heat damage.