Caring for your Oriental Rug
Your carpet has been made on either a horizontal or vertical loom. The weaver attaches warp strings from top to bottom of the loom. In a finished carpet, the warp strings form the ‘spine’ running from top to bottom and become the fringe at each end. After the warp threads have been set up, the weaver will make the ‘kilim’ end by weaving weft threads in and out across the warps. Once this process has been completed, the weaver commences the ‘pile’. A Persian or Turkish knot is tied around a pair of warp strings and then the wool is cut with a knife.
After each row of knots, one or more weft threads are interwoven and the whole pushed down to create a tightly woven pile. At the end of the design, the weaver will produce another kilim and the warp threads are cut, and the rug dismantled from the loom. The carpet is then oversewn on the ‘selvedges’ to make it secure and is clipped to give an even pile. Finally, the carpet is washed to enhance the colors and to give the finished article a beautiful sheen or luster.
Top Tips to Care for your Rug
- 1Your carpet will last longer if it is laid on a suitable underlay which will protect the foundation and reduce wear by taking up the unevenness of the floor. On fitted carpet, your rug may ‘creep’, a special anti-creep underlay will prevent this and will also minimize the risk of color transference from the rug to the carpet.
- 2For day to day cleaning, Oriental Rugs simply require light, regular vacuuming with a suction type cleaner, on both sides if at all possible. This will do an excellent job of removing surface dirt. Vigorous beating or shaking is not necessary. A natural enemy of your rug is the moth. It is, therefore, advisable to use your vacuum attachments to reach under furniture and other inaccessible areas. Moths like natural fibers and prefer dark places, so to protect against moth and also uneven color fading in bright sunlight, your rug should be lifted and turned occasionally.
- 3Fringes should be brushed lightly. If vacuumed, they can get caught in the machine and break. Should this happen, it is wise to oversew the ends of the rug. Again, avoid beater-type hoovers.
- 4It is advisable to use furniture cups or wooden discs under heavy furniture which is to rest on the rug. Avoid sharp castors or narrow legs and move furniture around from time to time to prevent the fibers from being crushed.
- 5‘Curling’ of the edges of a carpet can be reduced by sewing a strip of leather, vinyl, or webbing down the sides along the back of the rug. This can be done by our restorer.
- 6
Major cleaning should be undertaken by an expert. Minor spillages, however, should be dealt with immediately. First test that the colors are fast. For water-based stains, it is advisable to place a thick towel under the wet area and sponge with cold water (or a very mild lukewarm, neutral soap solution). Immediately absorb any excess water with a clean cloth and repeat the process until the stain has been removed. Do not rub the area. Leave the rug to dry naturally with a good flow of air around it. Oriental Rugs of Norwich Ltd can collect and clean your rug – please telephone for details and prices.
Spotting Guide
The following solutions are by no means exhaustive but have proven successful over a number of years and are best used with a white absorbent cloth or a clean white towel.
- 1Detergent solution: One teaspoonful of neutral detergent such as ‘Stergene or Dreft’ to 1/2 pint (1/4 litre) of warm water.
- 2
Detergent / Vinegar solution: Add one teaspoonful of white vinegar to the detergent solution.
- 3Ammonia solution: Add one teaspoon of household ammonia, such as ‘Kleen Off,’ to one cup of warm water.
- 4A general proprietary carpet cleaner such as ‘Vanish Mousse’ is also excellent for spotting purposes. Always follow the directions on the can.
Test the solution on a small, out-of-the-way area, then tackle the stain by working from the outer edge towards the center. Check for color fastness prior to carrying out any wet process on your carpet. For example, on the back of the rug – if in doubt, please telephone for assistance.
Best Options for Stain Removal
Alcohol/Wines – Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent / vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using a little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.
Blood – Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry.
Chewing Gum – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.
Chocolate – Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use detergent solution, starting from the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry.
Coffee – Blot up surplus spillage. Use detergent / vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using a little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.
Egg – Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry.
Fats – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry. (Alternatively, scrape up as much as possible then cover the area with brown paper and press gently with a warm iron then clean with detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.)
Fruit – Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry.
Glue – Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry. (Alternatively, scrape up as much as possible then cover the area with brown paper and press gently with a warm iron then clean with detergent/vinegar solution. Blot dry.)
Grass – Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry.
Grease – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry. (Alternatively, scrape up as much as possible then cover the area with brown paper and press gently with a warm iron then clean with detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.)
Ice-cream – Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry.
Lipstick – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.
Liquid Foods – Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent / vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using a little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.
Milk – Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent solution, starting from the outer edge of the stain and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry.
Nail Polish – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.
Oil – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry. (Alternatively, scrape up as much as possible then cover the area with brown paper and press gently with a warm iron then clean with detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.)
Perfume – Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent / vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using a little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.
Shoe Polish – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.
Soft Drinks – Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent solution, starting from the outer edge of the stain and blotting dry. Follow with ammonia solution. Blot dry.
Solids – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.
Tar – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.
Tea – Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent / vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using a little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.
Urine – Blot up the surplus spillage. Use detergent / vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using a little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.
Vomit – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.
Wax – Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry cleaning solvent followed by detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry. (Alternatively, scrape up as much as possible then cover the area with brown paper and press gently with a warm iron then clean with detergent / vinegar solution. Blot dry.)
