Wear and Tear
As you use your Persian rug, wear and tear is inevitable. You can greatly reduce the amount of wear and tear your rug receives, though. Rotate your rug on a periodic basis, especially if it is in an area that receives a high amount of foot traffic. It is recommended that you rotate the position of your rug every one to two tears.
Your rug may also have indentations in its pile from being placed underneath furniture for long periods of time. To fix this, try the following: brush any indentation (crushed pile) in the same direction as that of your rugs’ pile using a soft-bristled brush. Use a spray bottle to lightly moisten the area with distilled water and brush the pile again in the opposite direction. In time, the pile should return to its original shape. Ensure the area is completely dry before placing any objects on top of your rug.
Storage
Never store your rug in a damp, non-ventilated space. Dampness will cause mildew and dry rot in Persian/Oriental rugs. To store your rug, vacuum it well on both sides, then roll it up in the direction again the pile. Your rug has a smooth pile direction (light side) and a rough pile direction (dark side). You should roll the rug from the dark side into the rough. This way, you will have no crushed pile ridges in the rug when you take it out of storage. Now, wrap the rug in a breathable cover (an old bed sheet works well); never use cellophane or plastic. Better still, call us and we will be happy to prepare your rugs for shipment or a long, safe storage.
Moths
Moths will lay their eggs in the pile of a rug and larvae will eat away at the beauty of your investment. Look for small, golden colored flying moths about a third of an inch in length. These moths, known as webbing or cloth moths, are the most dangerous to your rugs and other items made of natural fibers (especially wool!). They like dark, undisturbed areas, such as areas behind sofas and large furniture. These areas are the most vulnerable and should frequently be checked on for moth growth. For information on preventing moths in your home, read our moth prevention blog post. If you believe your rug is showing signs of moth growth, please call us.
Sunlight
Long-term direct sunlight will permanently fade the dyes used in your Oriental rug. If direct sunlight cannot be helped, rotate your rug frequently or consider a window tint or shades to limit the amount of direct sunlight that your rug receives. Sunlight is most damaging when air humidity is low. In Texas, because our humidity is relatively high, the most damaging times for rugs that are in areas that receive direct sunlight is in early spring and early winter. Simply remember to regularly rotate those rugs in heavy sunlight areas to prevent permanent damage.
Padding
At Behnam Rugs, we simply cannot say enough about the crucial need for proper padding under all of your handmade rugs, whether they lay upon hard surfaces or on carpeting. First and foremost, proper padding will prevent the rug from slipping, which can easily result in injury. For your own sake, it is safer to take this precaution. Additionally, proper padding will add many years of life to your rug by eliminating those waves and wrinkles that in time will turn into tears and splits.
Over the years, we have used and evaluated dozens of different rug padding materials. We can assure our customers we carry the best padding for their needs. The cost is nominal and your rugs will thank you. For information on rug padding installation, take a look at our rug installation services or call us for more information.
Vacuuming and Sweeping
Sweeping your rug with a broom, in the direction of the pile, loosens ingrained dirt and residue. It also grooms your rug by removing shed wool fibers from the pile. Do not be alarmed- a wool, hand knotted rug will shed, especially when it is new. This is simply the nature of the rug. We recommend sweeping your rug regularly over vacuuming, as sweeping is an excellent way to maintain the cleanliness of your rug without risking accidental damage.
At Behnam Rugs, we do not suggest vacuuming Persian Rugs using your average vacuum. These vacuums are a little too strong for Persian rugs, and could potentially damage the fibers of your rug. Instead, we recommend using a lightweight vacuum. A light vacuuming, once over is plenty. Take extra care not to vacuum your rug’s fringes and side bounding, as these parts may get caught in the brush’s mechanism and get torn. We recommend that you use a hand brush to groom the fringes. The original fringe of a rug is the most vulnerable area for damage. If your rug’s fringe has been damaged, we can certainly repair it, however, prevention is the best form of rug care.
