Thursday, November 28, 2013

How to Buy a Handmade Rug

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Rug making is an artisan trade that dates back more than 3,000 years. Handmade rugs, such as Persian or Oriental rugs, often are passed down through generations because of their durability, value and aesthetic beauty. However, before purchasing a handmade rug, it is important to evaluate its quality, weave and durability. Use these tips to buy a handmade rug.

Steps

Prepare to Buy a Handmade Rug

Determine the ideal size of the rug. Before shopping for a handmade rug, measure the room or area that the rug will cover. In most cases, the measurements should allow for a border of flooring to show around the perimeter of the rug.
- Consider several different sizes for each room. The greater the range of sizes, the more choices you will have when purchasing a handmade rug. Rooms like hallways, entryways and dining rooms may not allow flexibility with sizing options; however, living rooms and bedrooms typically enable you consider several rug sizes based on different furniture arrangements in the rooms.
Decide whether you prefer traditional or modern rug designs. It is helpful to determine your design preference prior to shopping. Traditional rug designs generally display symbolic associations, or they may utilize curvilinear designs from paintings or other artwork. Contemporary designs are available in a wide range of styles, and typically display bold patterns.
Set a budget for your handmade rug purchase. Handmade rugs are available in a wide range of prices, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Factors like the rug size and quality affect the price.

Select a Rug Dealer

Seek out a reputable rug dealer who is an expert in handmade rugs. An expert dealer will educate you about the craftsmanship of the rugs, and can provide information about the fiber content, quality and country of origin for each rug. A reputable dealer will provide comparisons between different rugs and won't pressure you to buy a specific type or design of rug. Some dealers may even allow you to take rugs home to evaluate how they look in your space before purchasing them.
Look for a rug dealer who specializes in hand-knotted rugs, and provides a large selection of rugs available in the store.
Ask each prospective rug dealer about where their rugs were made. Several countries violate child labor laws and force children to weave rugs in poor conditions with little pay. A reputable rug dealer won't sell rugs made with child labor.
Avoid "going out of business" sales and traveling rug dealers. Although the prices may be cheaper, the rugs sold by these dealers typically have been rejected by handmade rug importers.

Evaluate the Quality of the Rug

Examine how the rug lies on the floor. Some irregularity is expected in handmade products. However, a quality handmade rug should lie flat on the floor and have an even shape.
Ask the rug dealer about the materials from which the rug is constructed. Most rugs are made of silk and wool.
- Choose silk rugs for their luxurious look and feel. However, they are not ideal for high traffic areas.
- Choose wool rugs for their durability. Wool is the most durable fiber, but there are many grades of wool. The wool from the neck and belly of young sheep is the best quality for handmade rugs. Make sure the wool was sheared from a live animal, as wool from dead animals typically feels rough and scratchy. Ask if the wool was spun by hand or by machine. Because of the way dye is absorbed, hand-spun wool provides more variegation in the fiber colors and is usually valued over machine-spun wool.
- Avoid rugs with synthetic materials. The synthetic materials will degrade over time.
Determine if the rug was hand-knotted. Hand-knotted rugs are the highest quality handmade rugs available; and therefore, are the most expensive. It can take months or even years for an artisan to complete 1 hand-knotted rug.
- Consider hand-tufted rugs or flat-weave rugs. Hand-tufted rugs, which involved threading yarn into designs through the back of the rug, are less expensive than hand-knotted rugs. Flat-weave rugs are the lowest quality handmade rugs, and the least expensive option.
Evaluate the rug density. Rugs are made in several densities, ranging from 30 knots per inch to 290 knots per inch. The higher the knots per inch, the finer the weave of the rug. Intricate designs with smooth and graceful lines require higher knots per inch.
Ask the rug dealer whether natural or synthetic dyes were used on the rug's fibers.
- Purchase a rug made with natural dyes to maintain the rug's value over time. Natural dyes from indigo plants, bark, fruit and insects can fade over time when exposed to light, but the faded effect usually enhances the rug's natural beauty. Natural dyes add almost 30 percent more to the cost of the rug.
- Buy a rug made with synthetic dyes for a wider range or shades and colors. Synthetic chemical dyes usually are made with either an acid dye or a chrome dye. If you choose to purchase a rug made with synthetic dyes, make sure the finished look is not too bright and harsh, or alternately, too washed out. Synthetic dyes tend to hold their color longer than natural dyes with exposed to light.

Tips

Some rugs advertised as "silk" are not really silk, but are rayon. Before purchasing a silk rug, take a fiber off of the rug and burn it. Real silk will leave a small stem, while rayon will disintegrate. Many "silk" rugs from Pakistan, China and India are not actually silk.

Warnings

Do not dry clean or steam clean handmade wool rugs. The chemicals used in dry cleaning can be harmful to the rug fibers and affect the longevity of the rug. Steam cleaning strips the natural oils from the wool, converting live wool to dead wool.

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Buy a Handmade Rug. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Clean and Maintain Area Rugs

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
This article provides detailed explanation about area rugs cleaning and maintenance.

Steps

Vacuum your area rug regularly. This prevents dirt from building up. Vacuuming your area rug regularly helps to keep your home clean and allergy free. To get the maximum amount of dirt out turn your rug upside down first and vacuum the back of the rug. This looses deep down dirt to the top of the fibers. To avoid getting frayed edges and worn fringes do not vacuum over the edges of your area rug. It is best to use suction only on Wool area rugs, using a rotating brush/beater bar sucks up the little fibers of wool.
Blot any spills with a 100% white cotton towel. For wet spills lay towel on the spill and stand on the towel, as the towel gets wet move it to always have a dry area over spill. When blotting up a spot rub in straight lines, NEVER go in circles, this causes damage to the rug.
Use a simple cleaning solution. For most spills a damp white towel works best, for fresh pet urine a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water and blotting is best, for red wine a equal mixture of Dawn dish soap and 10% hydrogen peroxide and blotting is effective. ALWAYS DO A TEST SPOT FIRST TO MAKE SURE THE COLOURS OF YOUR RUG DO NOT BLEED/RUN.
Get your rugs professionally cleaned. Vacuuming regularly and wiping up spills and spots keeps your rug looking clean, but getting it professionally cleaned once every year or two keeps your rug and home air healthy. When looking for a professional area rug cleaner make sure that they are a Wool Safe Approved company even if your rug isn't wool. To find a Wool Safe Approved company got o their website, www.woolsafe.org. This ensures that they have the right training to clean area rugs. To get the best and proper cleaning area rugs should never be cleaned in your home. .

Tips

Be sure to rinse any excess detergent when cleaning and don’t use a strong solution. This will only cause more soiling. Move the furniture out of the way before cleaning your area rug. Putting too much water on the area rug might damage the seams, cause discoloration, stinky odors and may shrink your area rug. To dry your area rug quickly during a wet cleaning, you can use a fan for fast drying and to get rid of any odor. Make sure your area rug is completely dry before you let anyone walk on it or before you put the furniture back in place. Before you apply any cleaning solutions, be sure to vacuum the area rug first and administer any spot cleaning that is necessary.
Be sure to put your area rug pad back in place to help protect it from wear and tear. The rug pad assists with keeping furniture in place and prevents anyone from slipping on it. Every few months rotate your area rug to prevent any further deterioration that foot traffic can cause.
You should consider hiring a professional area rug cleaner to consult with you to find out what is the best cleaning treatment. Don’t wait until the area rug collects dirt. A professional rug cleaner will be able to determine what type of cleaning service you need. A visual examination will usually help to make that decision.
When the professional area rug cleaner decides what type of cleaning you need for your area rug, make sure you get a written work order before the job begins. The cost will depend on the square footage of the area rug. Make sure you get a quote before you call for the professional. Find out if there are any hidden or additional mandatory fees involved. A professional and dependable rug cleaning company will give you all the specifics up front.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Clean and Maintain Area Rugs. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Clean a Rug

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Rugs can be beautiful additions to your home, but they can be expensive and sometimes delicate. It’s important to know how to clean and maintain them to protect your investment. These few tips can keep your rugs looking new for as long as possible. There are a few very common mistakes that people make when it comes to cleaning area rugs. These mistakes can end up subtracting years from the life of your rugs, and they should be avoided.

Steps

The best way to keep your area rug looking its best is once a month flip it upside down and vacuum the back of the rug. It is okay to use a beater bar/rotating brush vacuum on the back of a wool rug, on the front it is recommended to only use suction. Vacuuming the back with the beater bar/rotating brush helps push dirt trapped deep down toward the top of the rug. The rug is then flipped right side up and this dirt is vacuumed. For synthetic area rugs it is fine to use the beater bar/rotating brush vacuum on the front and back of the rug.
It is not advisable to vacuum fringes/tassels. When you run the vacuum over the fringes they get sucked into the beater bar of your vacuum. The fringes do not need to be vacuumed at all. Fluffing them by hand is all they need. Anything else can cause damage to them.
Be aware of carpet shampoos or sprays! Carpet shampoos are usually made for synthetic wall to wall carpet not wool area rugs. Always check the label before using any spot cleaners or rug shampoos. When you use a spotter or shampoo make sure you rinse it all out. If there is any soap residue left in the rug it will attract dirt. ALWAYS TEST YOUR RUG WITH A DAMP WHITE COTTON TOWEL TO MAKE SURE THE COLORS WILL NOT RUN OR BLEED. [1]
Make sure that you clean up spills or stains as as soon as they occur. Blot or scrape the spillage up depending on the type of spill. Blot, using a clean white 100% cotton dry towel and pressing down very hard from the outside towards the middle. Do this repeatedly, turning the folded towel over and over until you have absorbed as much moisture as possible. When you blot the spot move the towel in straight lines, NEVER RUB IN A CIRCLE, THIS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO YOUR RUG. If the spillage is milk care must be taken to rinse the area thoroughly with mild detergent and water to prevent souring of the residue. For red wine spills, use equal parts of 10% hydrogen peroxide and Dawn liquid dish soap apply to cotton towel and blot.
Neutralize pet odors by mixing 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water and blot with white towel.
Finished.

Tips

If your rug get really wet from a flood or other water source get it to a professional rug cleaner as quickly as possible to help prevent permanent damage to your area rug.
Weekly vacuuming of both sides is ideal. If that’s not possible, you should do it at least once every two weeks.
It is recommended that you rotate your rugs at least once a year. This means turning the rug end for end or 180 degrees. This helps the rug to wear more evenly. You may also want to rearrange your furniture to change traffic patterns.
When you use any type of spot removers always put the spotter on a white cotton and then blotting the spot. Putting the spotter on the rug can make removing the spot tougher or can make the spot into a stain, which is permanent.
After you have removed a spill from your rug it needs to be dried as quickly as possible, a fan can aid in this.
Rugs should be rolled, not folded. When transporting in a moving van, a rolled rug should be placed on top of furniture and then have nothing heavier than a lampshade placed on top of the rug. Folding can cause permanent creases or wrinkles in your area rug.
Another way that you can clean your carpet is by renting or purchasing a carpet cleaner/extractor. This type of machine will do a fairly good job of cleaning your carpet superficially, but because they don't have the ability to actually steam the fibers, all of the stains and dirt may not be removed. These types of machines are made for synthetic wall to wall carpet or upholstery.
Rugs and carpets eventually get dirty. For the best possible clean get a professional area rug cleaner to do the job. Check to see if they are Wool Safe Approved company by going to http://www.woolsafe.org

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Oriental rugs cleaning tips

↑ http://www.boston-carpet-cleaning.com/

Sources and Citations

Rug Cleaning

↑ http://www.boston-carpet-cleaning.com/

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Clean a Rug. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Store Rugs

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Stuffing rugs away in just any old place won't do. Stored rugs can deteriorate without the appropriate attention being paid to their storage conditions and an unpleasant surprise is not what you need on unfurling the rug. Here is how to store them so that they remain in great condition for future use.

Steps

Clean the rug. If any part of the rug is soiled, it needs to be cleaned. Whatever is left on a rug can attract vermin, insects, or simply cause deterioration on its own account. If you are not sure how to clean the rug, read its label or seek professional advice.
- Always vacuum a rug before storing; this will remove dander, flea eggs, dust mites, etc., prior to storage. Use an appropriate setting on the vacuum so as not to damage it. If it cannot be vacuumed, at least beat the rug outdoors and leave it to air in sunshine for a day before storing.
- See the Related articles for a range of cleaning help for different types of rugs.
Moth-proof the rug after cleaning. There are a couple of choices here: either moth-proof the rug professionally using a commercial treatment, or use your own moth-proof treatments that you'd use for any stored fabrics in the home. The value of the rug should be accounted for when deciding which method to prefer.
Take care of humidity. Humidity can cause a rug to curl at the edges, especially when humidity levels are constantly changing. Try to keep the storage space as dry and cool as possible. Keeping the storage temperature as even as possible is also very important.
- If the rug has curled, try pinning it down to the floor with double-sided tape for a way (heavy-duty). If not, then try steaming it back into shape.
Roll the rug for storage. If you fold the rug, it will gain permanent crease lines that are very hard, if not impossible, to remove and the fibers will be weakened at all bend points. Tie into a roll gently using twine or similar item.
Consider wrapping the rug in plastic or canvas cloth to protect it from dust. Do not use plastic if temperature changes will impact the storage space, as this will cause condensation. A canvas cloth or sheet will do an excellent job of keeping off dust, cobwebs, and the like.

Tips

Check the rug every 6 to 12 months to ensure that it is free of insect damage or moisture. If you do discover problems, deal with them as quickly as possible, and treat the storage area for any insect, vermin, or moisture issues as well.
Rugs need to breath so they must be wrapped in cotton wraps instead of complete plastic wrapping.

Warnings

Keep rugs out of direct sunlight when storing; uneven sunlight can mark the rug at the edges and spoil its look.

Things You'll Need

Canvas sheet or cotton sheet
Cleaning products suitable for rug
Twine or similar to tie rug into a roll

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Store Rugs. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Identify Handmade Oriental Rugs

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
It is difficult to be sure you are looking at a handmade rug or a machine made rug for the beginner. There are a few steps you can follow when trying to identify a handmade Oriental rug.

Steps

Look at the back of the rug at the weave. Look for white or red or blue horizontal (to the fringe) lines of foundation threads. These threads are called weft threads. You may see partial wefts going only an inch or so, and then covered by the wool knots, but it is important that these threads are horizontal to the fringe. Sometimes the horizontal threads go all the way from one side (bound edge) of the rug to the other side. The horizontal row of wefting may not be perfectly straight.
Look for unevenness in the colored knots on the back of the rug. You may see some areas slightly thicker than others.
Now look at the front of the rug. Look at the design carefully. Very rarely will the design be exactly the same size and shape from one end to opposite end of the rug. This is true mostly in older Oriental rugs.
You may notice slight color changes making thick or thin stripes in the rug. This is due to the change in dye lots of the wool when weaving the rug and how the color of the wool ages with light and atmosphere. These color changes are commonly found in the background color of the rug. These color changes are called “abrash” are common and do not detract from the value of the rug.
Sometimes there is a cloth tag stitched into one corner of the rug which says, “Made in Iran”. You can be relatively sure that this rug is handmade.
Handmade rugs are almost always woven with wool pile. Machine made rugs are often made with a type of nylon or polyester pile.
Machine made rugs are often made with a type of nylon or polyester pile, and are generally very uniform in their weave. On the back of the rug, you may see white woven threads running from fringe end to fringe end, or you may see no white threads at all. There is generally no unevenness in the weave or design, nor will you find abrashes in the color of the rug.

Tips

If you are unsure whether a rug is hand-woven or machine made, a professional will be able to help you.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Anne Marie Lesniak, 2013, http://lesniakorientalrugs.com/content/16-how-to-know-a-genuine-handmade-oriental-rug

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Identify Handmade Oriental Rugs. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Clean Silk Rugs

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Silk is a natural protein fiber that is produced when silkworm larvae form cocoons. Composed primarily of fibroin, silk is one of the strongest natural fibers, but it loses up to 20 percent of its strength when it gets wet. Known for its ability to refract light, silk can be used to create shimmering rugs. Abrasive cleanings agents, hot water and steam cleaning can damage silk fibers, so professional cleaning is recommended for all silk rugs. Use these tips to clean silk rugs.

Steps

Remove Dust and Debris from Silk Rugs

Vacuum silk rugs regularly. Use a brushless suction head to vacuum silk rugs. Beater or roller brushes may pull out fibers, reduce the pile and damage the rug.
Sweep silk rugs with a broom. Gently sweep the rug to avoid damaging the fibers.
Shake the rug. Remove dust and debris by shaking the rug off outside. This also will help air out the rug to remove any odors.

Remove Stains from Silk Rugs

Cleans stains immediately before they set in and attach to the silk fibers.
Remove solid spills. Gently scoop solid debris from the rug using a spoon, but take care not to scrape the fibers of the rug. Any scraping motion may tear the silk fibers.
Remove liquid spills.
- Absorb as much liquid as possible by pressing the affected areas gently with a clean, white cloth.
- Apply club soda to remove color from stains. Pour the club soda onto a clean cloth and blot the stain. Use a dry cloth to absorb any excess club soda. Allow the area to air dry. Do not use heat, such as a hair dryer, to dry the area because heat may damage a silk rug.
- Apply a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to remove stains. Pour the vinegar and water solution on a clean cloth and blot the stain. Use a dry cloth to absorb the excess solution and allow the area to air dry. Do not use heat to dry the area.
- Avoid commercial cleaning agents, which may permanently discolor a silk rug.

Remove Odors from Silk Rugs

Use baking soda to remove odors from silk rugs. Baking soda helps remove odors from a variety of surfaces, including textiles.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the rug.
- Allow the baking soda to absorb for about 1 hour.
- Vacuum the rug using a brushless suction head of a vacuum cleaner.
Use a vinegar and water solution to eliminate odors from silk rugs. The slight acidity of vinegar makes it effective in removing odors and germs.
- Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Lightly mist the rug with the vinegar and water solution.
- Wipe the rug gently with a clean, dry cloth.

Clean Silk Rugs Professionally

Select a reputable, professional rug cleaning business to clean silk rugs. Silk can't be exposed to heat or chemicals, so ask how the silk rug will be cleaned. Silk rugs should be washed on both the front and back surfaces with a detergent specifically formulated for silk fibers. Most rug cleaners will offer a deep dusting, followed by pre-treatment for stain removal and hand washing of the silk rugs.

Tips

Choose wool and silk blend rugs to achieve the softness of a silk rug, but the durability of a wool rug. Unlike silk, wool is water resistant, so spills are less likely to damage a wool-silk blend rug.
Silk rugs are delicate, so avoid displaying them in high-traffic areas. Consider placing a silk rug in a room that is used infrequently, or hang it on the wall as a decorative art piece.

Warnings

Hot water will cause permanent damage to silk rugs. When spot cleaning silk rugs, be sure to use lukewarm or cool water.
In the event of large spills, be sure the top, under surface and pad of the rug are completely dry before placing it back on the floor. Mildew, mold or dry rot can result if any of the rug surfaces are damp.
When spot cleaning a silk rug, test the cleaning solution (such as club soda or vinegar) on a small, hidden area before applying to the entire rug. Allow the cleaning solution to dry and inspect the rug. If the rug is visibly faded or damage, do not use the cleaning solution.
Do not use chemical cleaners or commercial stain removers on silk rugs. The silk fibers are too delicate for strong cleaning agents and will deteriorate, causing texture changes or holes in the rug.

Things You'll Need

Vacuum
Broom
Spoon
Clean, white cloth
Club soda
Vinegar
Water
Spray bottle

Related wikiHows

How to Hand Wash an Oriental Rug

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Clean Silk Rugs. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Buy Authentic Oriental Rugs

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
The decision to purchase an authentic oriental rug is a little more complicated than shopping for other rugs – the pattern, texture, size, and style will create a unique look and feel for any home. Additionally, certain characteristics are more prized and valued as a long-term investment by those who collect oriental rugs. Learn how to select the perfect oriental rug for your lifestyle – and future investment with these quick steps.

Steps

Go natural. Although synthetic dyes are more stable, nothing compares to the artistry and delicacy of the natural dyes. Natural dyes tend to cost more but also retain their value in the future.
Look for signed rugs. Signed rugs are somewhat a rarity due to the general illiteracy of those creating the works of art. However, merchants or entrepreneurs responsible for the creation and distribution of the rugs often incorporated “signatures” to identify their products. Rugs with highly sought after signatures are prized investments.
Find unwashed rugs. The vivid colors associated with many original rugs were not popular in this country, so oriental rugs were frequently “washed” in order to remove the vivid colors. Unwashed rugs are highly prized as authentic examples of the original beauty and artistry of the work.
Choose an appropriate size. Overly large rugs may not easily fit into modern-day homes, so those of a more conservative sizing are considered more desirable in today’s market.
Be sure to clean and maintain it. Few things impact the value and desirability of an oriental rug more than the type of cleaning and maintenance that it has received over the years. Rug cleaning requires specialized knowledge of the dyes, weaving, construction methods, and much more to assure the rug retains its full beauty.

Warnings

In many popular holiday destinations rugs are offered to tourists. Inform yourself in advance if any import taxes have to be paid at the customs of your country at an independent reliable source. The seller might not provide you with the correct information.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Buy Authentic Oriental Rugs. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.