Padding
Good quality padding protects
the rug especially in heavily trafficked areas. The best padding is a hair or
fiber filled pad with rubberized surfaces to keep the rug from moving or wrinkling.
The life of an Oriental rug can be doubled with the use of a good quality pad.
Vacuuming
Never vacuum against the
nap of the rug (the direction of the nap can easily be determined by running
the hand across the pile from fringe to fringe). Vacuuming against the nap also
presses dirt back into the rug. Never vacuum the rug's fringes. The continued
catching of the fringe in the suction of a vacuum cleaner causes the fringes
to break and tear. Sweeping with a broom will give the best result. As a general
rule always vacuum with a low-level suction using a new bag.
General
Procedure
Always rub or brush lightly
from the outer edge toward the center of the stain to prevent spreading or causing
"the ring" when using solvents especially on twist rugs and pile carpets. On
old, dry or stubborn stains, saturate, blot, and brush. Repeat this operation
as often as necessary to remove the stain completely.
Stain
Removal Package
You have to move fast
which means you should keep a little box containing the following close at hand
at all times: Dry cleaning fluid, Clean Cloths, White Vinegar, Mild Detergent
(containing no alkalis or bleaches), Alcohol, Sponges, Clothes brush, Weak Ammonia
7% solution.
Moths
Moths can cause extensive
damage to Oriental rugs. Not only do moths eat the pile but they also eat the
knots on the back of a rug. Moths are especially attracted to areas such as
those under furniture that remain relatively undisturbed. It is quite simple
to eliminate these pests and safeguard against their return. Both front and
back of a carpet should be sprayed about every six months with any one of a
number of available moth sprays.
Crushed
Pile
To up-right the piles
that are indented or crushed by legs of heavy furniture, brush the depressed
area with a soft brush and faintly moisten the area by a spray and follow-up
by brushing.
Cleaning
The beauty and life of
Oriental rugs are vitally dependent on their cleanliness. Lack of maintenance
will contribute to loss in the potential of investment.
Storing
If a rug is to be stored
for a long period of time, use sheet or cloth to wrap it, but do not use an
airtight plastic bag. Oriental rugs need to breathe and they will sometimes
rot or mildew in a plastic bag. They could also be rolled up and kept in a chest
with some paradichlorobenzene crystals, which will have to be renewed every
few months. Ideally large carpets should be rolled around poles, the protruding
ends of which should rest on blocks or trestles. It is advisable to let carpets
lie flat on top of one another for any length of time. Do NOT store rugs in
a humid, damp, warm or poorly ventilated room. This causes mildew that usually
has a musty odor, discolors fabrics, and weakens them so that they fall in pieces.
Never leave an Oriental rug wet. Failure to remove all of the moisture might
result in mildew. Do NOT store an Oriental rug in a hot closet. The base of
a rug can dry out and become brittle destroying the strength and durability
of the rug.
