RUG MAINTENANCE AND FIRST AID RUG MAINTENANCE AND FIRST AID
Oriental rugs are made with natural fibers, wool, cotton and occasionally silk. Their care and cleaning are relatively simple procedures. The following guidelines should help you to preserve your rug well into its "antique" stage.
Regular vacuuming removes over 90% of the dust and
dirt that accumulates from normal use. Since the nap of an
Oriental lies in one direction (from the top of the rug to the
bottom) vacuuming from side to side will produce the best
results.
Periodic
cleaning (every 4-6 months) with only cold water and a soft cloth
or sponge, will remove the remaining dust and dirt and brighten
the rug considerably. During this procedure it is best to clean 2
to 4 square feet at a time and to change the water frequently.
The cloth or sponge should be squeezed thoroughly.
Rugs
should be washed professionally every 4 to 6 years. See your rug
dealer to arrange this. After washing, rugs should be rotated
end-for-end when they are replaced in the home to equalize wear
and fading of the rug over a period of time.
Foreign
matter spilled on the rug should be removed as quickly as
possible to prevent a stain from setting in. This is best
accomplished by blotting (not rubbing) the affected area using
cold water and a soft cloth. If a stain persists, contact your
rug dealer to have the stain removed professionally. Be
especially careful of pets around Oriental rugs, as animal stains
are virtually impossible to remove once they set in.
Should
your rug become ripped or torn, contact your rug dealer as soon
as possible. The damaged area can be professionally rewoven
before it spreads and seriously devalues your rug.
It is advisable to keep a current letter of appraisal for all of your Oriental rugs (as well as all other valuables) in a safe place so that you will have adequate substantiation in the event of a catastrophic loss, e.g. fire or flood.
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Pandith's Inc., 1 Design Center Place, Suite 234, Boston MA 02210, (617) 443-9181, info@pandiths.com