In the Middle East some new rugs are thrown into the streets for “aging,” where they are driven over by trucks and camels alike. They come through the ordeal looking much improved. Rugs are forgiving. Still, rugs need a congenial atmosphere and a little attention to help combat their several natural enemies, including direct sunlight and moths.
When they are dirty, they can be washed (unlike wall-to-wall carpeting, which can be surface cleaned only). And when they are injured they can be fixed. Their dyes resist fading and running, and their wool, full of natural oils, keeps many potential stains from penetrating and setting.
Rugs Fade in Sunlight. Be Careful!
The effect of direct sunlight on your oriental rugs is quite severe. Sunlight streaming through a window directly onto a rug is virtually guaranteed to harm it, whether morning or afternoon, southern or western sunlight. Colors fade unevenly and wool and cotton dry out and become brittle. A good rug can be spoiled in a month or less. You can eliminate or prevent the problem by keeping the curtains closed or by having your windows professionally coated with mylar (an invisible film which can be applied to your windows and which filters out harmful ultraviolet light)
Moths
The second major enemy of Oriental rugs is moths. The moths you need to worry about are small and hardly noticeable. They are the same moths that raid food in the pantry and wool clothes in the closet. Rugs or portions of rugs covered by furniture must be disturbed from time to time to prevent moths from settling in. That means moving furniture off rugs every several months or so and vacuuming or sweeping. When inspecting rugs for moth activity, remember that most moth damage happens at the back of a rug, where moths are least likely to be disturbed. So examine the back of the rug along its perimeter and look for moths, moth larvae or the casing or webbing they leave behind.
How to Keep Your Oriental Rugs Clean
Rugs gradually wear as they are walked on. That can’t be avoided, but you can lesson the problem by turning or rotating your rugs from time to time so they don’t always get walked on in the same places. Walking on a dirty rug shortens its life prematurely. Dirt and sand fragments act like sandpaper as you grind them into the surface of your rug.
Translating a tale of magnificent art established over 2500 years ago, Persians are the forefathers of carpet weaving and have consequently brought a degree of ancient excellence to the modern world. With the right care your Persians will survive the test of time and will continue to maintain its ancient excellence.
