Fine Oriental Rugs - F.A.Q

What is a kilim?
A "Kilim" (sometimes called "gelim") is a flat-woven Oriental rug, made much like Navajo rugs, without pile. They don't generally last as long in floor use as the thicker knotted pile carpet (perhaps an average of about 35 years compared to 50-80 years of use) nor do they cost as much. Many collectors value kilims because often they retain the oldest and most traditional designs and colors.


Are rugs with natural vegetal dyes better?
Yes and no: Dyes made from natural substances such as roots have been used in Oriental rugs for virtually thousands of years, or until about World War Two. By that time, synthetic dyes had almost entirely taken the place of natural dyes. Starting in about 1980, natural dyes again began to be used in a few rugs, and today both natural and synthetic dyes are used in Oriental rugs. For all practical purposes, both are excellent. The quality of today¹s synthetic dyes is very good. These dyes do not fade prematurely in the sun nor do they run when washed with water. Often synthetic dyes are difficult to distinguish from natural dyes. Nevertheless, good quality vegetal dyes offer a richer and more variegated palate of color(know as "Abrash"). Also, carpets dyed with natural dyes age with a warm pleasing patina. Additionally, natural dyes are more environmentally friendly. Vegetal dyes are more labor intensive and require a large amount of dye material. Consequently, natural dyed carpets are more expensive, often by 30% to 50% more. Some people, however, prefer the more uniform color characteristic derived from synthetic dyes. Bottom line, the choice between natural and modern synthetic dyes is a matter of preference and cost.


Are finely knotted rugs better than others?
No. A rug that is more finely woven (with more knots per inch or KPI) is not necessarily a better rug. A finer weave allows for greater detail. Curved lines in a rug's design can be "drawn" more smoothly and gracefully in a rug with many knots per square inch, just as a lot of pixels in a computer screen allow for more natural looking lines. But it must be said that fine knotting alone does not make a rug good. A case may even be made that a fine weave simply is not appropriate in certain kinds of tribal or village rugs. It is more important to consider each rug individually. The quality of the materials and workmanship and the overall balance of design and color are more important the the KPI.


What is the difference between hand spun and machine spun wool?
For thousands fo years, weavers spun wool by hand to create yarn that makes up the pile of Oriental rugs. By about World War Two, nearly all wool was spun by machines. Now, since about 1985, a small but appreciable number of weavers are again spinning wool by hand. Although some people prefer the uniformity and formal appearance that machine spun wool imparts to carpets, most connoisseurs value the effect produced by hand spun wool. When spun by hand, yarn absorbs more dye where it is loosely spun and less dye where it is spun tightly, thus producing pleasant variegation (know as "abrash") in the colors of a rug. Hand spun wool naturally requires more labor and thus rugs woven with handspun wool are more costly. But, the hand spinning process is less abrasive to the wool; more of the natural oils (lanolin) are retained and less fibers are broken. This produces a wool that is more resilient and carpets made with such wool will last long and wear better.


How do I care for my Oriental rug?
People think that because Oriental rugs are valuable, they must be pampered like fine China. But Oriental rugs have earned their reputation of being magical in part because of their sheer endurance. When dirty, they can be washed. If they are broken, they can be repaired or re-woven. Their dyes resist fading and running and their wool, full of natural oils (lanolin) keeps many potential stains from penetrating and setting. There are, however, some ways to maintain and protect your rug.

Direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight will fade your rug. If your rug is in a very sunny room, it is best to occasionally rotate it so that its UV exposure will be minimized. Also, think about using blinds or shades. You can also apply a thin film filter to your window such as "Mylar". These filters block most of the harmful UVs while not changing the quality of light. Nevertheless, your rug can withstand a normal amount of sunlight exposure without any noticeable effects.

Vacuum your rug regularly. Contrary to what some people think, vacuuming your rug is not harmfull. It is the dirt that is trapped inside a rug's pile that can lead to premature wear. Just be careful of the fringe when you vaccum. You may also broom your rug. It is not recommended to beat your rug as this may break some of the fibers.

Beware of moths. If a rug is used regularly, there is little chance of it becoming infested. Moths prefer undisturbed, dark places. Therefore, be carefull of any parts of a rug that are under furniture such as sections that may be under a couch or bed. Occasionally move the furniture and vacuum these areas. Also, if you are storing a rug for any period of time, I recommend wrapping it in plastic with plenty of moth balls.

Rotate your rug (ie: turn in 180 degrees) occasionally. I usually rotate my living room rug once a year. This keeps wear patterns from forming in a rug that may get uneven use. Also, if you have windows on one wall, rotating a rug exposes different areas to the sunlight. Just like rotating the tires on you car, rotating your rug promotes a more even and uniform pattern of wear.

Have your carpet professionally washed. How often? Generally, every five years is enough. But, if your rug seems particularly dirty, have it washed more often. Washing your rug will prolong its life. Plus, a clean rug looks better.


What do I do about spills and other accidents?
The best medicine for spills is to get the substance out of the rug as fast as possible. Use a paper towel or cloth. Pouring salt on a stain doesn't do much of anything. After cleaning up the spill, dilute it with some water in a sponge. You can also use a little bit of dish washing detergent to help clean the spill. If the stain persists, use more water. When you remove the stain, be sure to prop up the wet stection of the rug so that it can dry thoroughly. It is not good to let a rug remain wet for more that a couple of days. Still no luck? If the stain persists, bring it to a professional rug cleaner who deals with Oriental rugs. Do not use chemical cleaners or rug "shampoos" that are formulated for synthectic fibers and can damage your Oriental rug.
 

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