I. Care
Genuine oriental carpets must be specially taken care of, so that they remain for long. One should not forget to turn it in the opposite direction at least once a year in order to prevent one-sided wear.
II. Cleaning
A basic principle for cleaning is: dirt must be removed very fast. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and grit from the surface.
Small wool particles in the vacuum cleaner bag are no cause for anxiety. These are abraded fibres or remaining from shearing.
An oriental carpet may be vacuumed from the first day on - in the direction of the pile. It is extremely important that the dust particles are removed, before they can penetrate into the pile and there, like querns destroy the weave.
III. Stain table
Small stains or spots can be worked out or removed carefully with special treatments (see stain table).
One should not let a stain dry up itself. It is important that the carpet does not remain wet thereby, thus always rub it dry!
Stain type | Treatment | Procedue |
Beer/Wine Coffee/cocoa Fruit Blood/Urine | Use lukewarm water with additive of fine detergent and a splash vinegar | Dab the spot with soft rag and rub it dry |
Fat/oil Resin/tar Shoe polish | commercial carpet cleanser (e.g. Vanish) | use according to treatment instructions |
Lacquer/oil colors Wax Paraffin | Turpentine oil or white spirits should be ironed off in advance with blotting paper | Dab the spot with soft rag |
Rust | commercial carpet cleanser | use according to treatment instructions |
Ink Pen | commercial carpet cleanser | use according to treatment instructions |
IV. Water damage
You must act fast in case of water damage. A wet carpet should not under any circumstances remain lying around. The colors can 'out-bleed' and run into one another. Therefore take the necessary steps to dry the carpet as soon as possible.
Humidity destroys the weave; the carpet becomes wavy and wry. For serious problems it is suggested to turn to a specialist for advice. They might be able to recommend you a professional carpet laundry.
V. Moths
Moths are a severe danger for carpets and need to be taken into consideration seriously. They prefer dark and warm places.
Regular use, light and fresh air are the natural enemies of moths. Carpet laundries use 'centrifuging' techniques to protect against moth problems. However, conventional anti-moth products are quite effective as well.
VI. Decolorating
What to do, if the carpet colors on the underside? The decolorating of a carpet on the underside is due to the surplus color in the pile and can be repaired by a thorough carpet laundry (only with a specialist). It thus represents no fault in quality.
VII. Plant pots
Plant pots are the insidious enemies of oriental carpets and they do not belong on them. The humidity going through downward destroys the weave. Thereby it becomes rotten and fragile.
VIII. Repairs
Larger repairs should be always accomplished by a specialist. Own experiments are not advisable - for that a genuine carpet is too valuable.
Most specialist shops are able to re-fasten frayed edges and to repair smaller holes.
IX. Anti-slide underlayer (Rugpad)
Directly with the purchase, you should get an anti-slide under-layer for fine carpets, or for those which are not sufficiently strong in structure. On the one hand you avoid the hazard of slipping and on the other you preserve the valuable carpet.
There are many kinds of carpet anti-slide under-layers, each for a different purpose. For example if a carpet is lying on a velour subsurface (a usual floor carpet covering), because of 'the brush effect' it can happen that it starts to move while you are walking on it - i.e. it 'wanders'. For this and other surface types (parquets, stone) and also if your carpet is wavy or wry, there are special anti-slide under-layers which can be of great help. You may like to
check our rugpads here.
We are looking forward to being at your assistance.