The goal is to prevent further
damage or deterioration." Deterioration may be due to chemical
changes; insect or microbial attack, exposure to heat, light, or
moisture or from the way an item is displayed or stored.
Restoration on the other end is "an attempt to return an object to
its original or first condition." "Repair is restoration to the
extent it truly copies the original materials and construction of
a rug.
An excellent restorer of
antique rugs has so much experience with the restoration of
thousands of rugs and carpets from all countries of origin that no
question remained unanswered. No restoration problem is tackled
without thorough investigation of the object, and good advice is
provided when an owner feels uncertain or unsure about the best
solution.
Washing is conducted with great care, with
special attention to the fastness of dyes and the stability of
structure. The washing agent is a neutral synthetic detergent,
which is later removed by thorough rinsing of the carpet. The
carpets are hung on a bar to dry at moderate, controlled
temperature. Besides the craftsmanship of its weavers, one of the
most important aspects of restoration has to do with dyes: the
dyeing processes itself and the selection of the dyed wool.
With Careful Treatment, An Oriental Rug Can
Survive For Centuries. Follow These Simple Guidelines To
Preserve The Quality Of Your Floor covering Investment
ROTATION
Frequently rotate your rugs to equalize the
damaging effects of the sun. Because continual direct exposure to
sunlight will damage a rug over time, use window shades, shutters,
or heavy curtains to safeguard your investment
PROTECT YOUR RUGS
FROM FUMES AND DAMPNESS
Fumes from furnaces, stoves, chimneys and auto
exhaust can mix with humidity in the atmosphere to form an acid
that fades and deteriorates the appearance of wool. Over time,
dampness will rot the threads and destroy the fibers of a rug.
Keep them in a dry environment.
WEAR AND TEAR
If a rug is cut or torn, have
a competent person repair the damage as soon as possible. Holes
can expand very quickly and ruin an otherwise repairable carpet.
With ordinary use, the selvage edges tend to fray, as they are not
as compressed as the rug pile. Worn edges can easily be rewoven.
Fringes can be replaced. Worn or damaged areas in the middle of a
rug can be re-knotted. Even large holes and badly damaged carpets
can be restored but some will have to sent back to Iran to be
repaired. To repair a less-valuable rug, a patch from a similar
rug can be woven into the damaged area.
MOTHS
Moths can cause extensive
damage to Oriental rugs, however, a carpet in normal use is rarely
in danger from moths. Frequent rotation and regular exposure to
light and air usually keeps moths at bay. Not only do moths eat
the pile, but they can also eat the knots on the back of a rug.
Moths are especially attracted to areas under furniture that
remain relatively undisturbed. Eliminate these pests and safeguard
against their return by spraying the front and back of a carpet
every six months with moth spray.
PADDING
The life of an Oriental rug
can be doubled with the use of good-quality padding. Padding
protects the rug, especially in heavily trafficked areas. The best
padding is made with a rubberized surface to prevent moving and
wrinkling.
CLEANING
The beauty and life of
Oriental rugs are vitally dependent on their cleanliness. Lack of
maintenance will contribute to loss in the potential investment.
If you act immediately, you can prevent virtually any spill from
becoming a stain.
SWEEPING
Sweeping the rug with a broom
at least once a week removes loose soil and brings out it's
natural sheen
BEATING
Beating is one of the best
methods for cleaning a rug. It should be beaten several times on
each side, always in dry weather.
VACUUMING
Try to use a low suction level
and a new bag. Never vacuum against the nap, as this presses dirt
back into the rug. (Run your hand across the pile from fringe to
fringe to determine the direction of the nap.) Do not vacuum the
fringes. The suction of a powerful vacuum cleaner can tear the
fringe.
WASHING
Oriental rugs should be washed
every two to three years, depending on their use and the amount of
traffic they endure. Using steam cleaning or chemicals on an
Oriental rug removes the natural dye from the wool. The pile
becomes brittle, and the carpet wears out sooner. We advice giving
your carpet to professional Persian carpets cleaners or carpet
dealers to hand wash your valuable carpets
CRUSHED PILE
Revive carpet pile that has
been crushed by heavy furniture by brushing the indented area with
a soft brush. Moisten with a spray bottle, and brush again
HANGING
Do not use nails or staples to
hang a large and heavy rug for long periods of time. Before
hanging a carpet on the wall, be certain that the warp threads can
stand the strain. Use a strong poster holder to distribute the
weight of the rug evenly across.
RUG STORAGE
If a rug must be stored, it
must be inspected regularly. To store a rug, wrap it in fabric or
brown paper. An Oriental rug needs to breathe. It can rot or
mildew in plastic. A rug can be rolled up and stored in a chest
with some Para dichlorobenzene crystals, which make the wool
inedible to moths. Renew the mothproofing every few months. DO NOT
lay carpets flat on top of one another for any length of time. A
rug stored in a damp or humid area will mildew, which discolors
and weakens the fibers. A hot or poorly ventilated storage area
will dry out the base of the rug, making it brittle, destroying
strength and durability.
