CARING
The
oriental rugs have been survived centuries in comparatively
good condition, This is because of careful treatment. Their two enemies,
apart from the inevitable destructive effect of wear,
are moths and dampness.
A carpet in use
is rarely in danger from moths. Certain chemical
applications will render the wool inedible to moths.
Dampness will in time rot the threads and destroy the
fabric but it can be avoided by obvious means.
If any
mechanical damage is sustained such as cut or burn,
the damage should be dealt with as soon as possible by
a competent person for such lesions get worse very
quickly.
- In ordinary use, quite apart from accident,
the ends and sides often tend to wear and fray in
which case the parts should be re-overcast.
- Places in
the middle of the carpet that are locally worn or
damaged can have new knots inserted and even large
holes can be restored so as to be almost as good as
new, though such work is rather expensive.
- In carpets
of lesser value, instead of new knotting, patches cut
from a suitable rug can often be inserted at less cost
and sometimes a serviceable small rug can be made from
a larger worn one by cutting away the bad parts.
ROTATION
Frequently
rotate the rug from sunny areas to the other side of
the room to equalize the effect of the sun.
Continuous
exposure to bright hot sun rays and even indirect
sunlight will cause damage to the dyed fabrics used in
Oriental rugs. On bright sunny days, use window
shades, shutters or heavy curtains to reduce the sun
damage. Also, in terms of fading, sometimes gases and
fumes (from furnaces, cooking stoves, chimneys and
auto exhausts) mix with oxygen and humidity in the
atmosphere to form an acid. This acid reacts on the
wool and causes deterioration and discoloration.
Usually faded areas are hidden by soil and will not be
apparent until the surface has been cleaned. In this
case, contrast of color fading could be avoided by
rotating rugs from time to time to make fading or
soiling uniform and by changing their places so that
all parts of the rug will have a chance for equal
exposure.
HANGING
Before
hanging carpets on the wall, one should be certain
that the warp threads could stand the strain. Do no
use nails or staples at the top of a heavy rug to hang
for a long period of time. Use a strong poster holder
to distribute the weight of the rug evenly.
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.
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.
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 rugs’ 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.
TIPS
ON CLEANING UP STAINS
-
Do
it fast.
-
Blot
up all excess spill with paper towels. and
Don’t Rub.
-
Apply
anti-dote(s) as shown on list with a clean dry
cloth, working from the edge to the center.
-
Do
not soak.
-
Pat
with paper towels. Dry with fan or hair blower.
-
Restore
pile with clothes brush.
CANDLE
WAX: Place a blotter or brown paper bag over the spot.
Put a hot iron over the blotter. Wait a few minutes
until the wax is absorbed into the blotter. Repeat if
necessary. Move the iron constantly and do not let it
stay in one place.
CHEWING GUM: Press ice cubes against spot. Wait until
it becomes brittle and breaks off. Use spot remover to
vanish last traces. Saturate the spot with cloth
soaked in vinegar or alcohol.
INK FROM BALLPOINT PEN: Saturate the spot with
hairspray. Allow to dry. Brush lightly with a solution
of water and vinegar.
