If we have not answered your FAQ below, call us or visit!

 

How do I prevent my Carpet from fading or wearing thin on one end or part?

Turn your carpet around 180 degrees every three-six months or so. By regularly turning your carpets, you will ensure equal distribution of traffic and light. This will avoid the possibility of uneven wear and fading.

 

How to prevent your carpet from being damaged by fish-moth, or other wool-eating insects?

The “3 D’s” – Darkness, Damp and Dirt – attract fish moths and other wool–eating insects. Keep your carpets away from dark and moist places, ensure air circulation and make sure they stay clean. NB. Only Wool is at risk from insects, not Silk and Cotton. Also, use a suitable repellant for such insects or their larvae; but ensure it is suitable for carpets, and use as directed. In South Africa, we recommend Biokill, available from tel 011 830 1672. or online. Or contact us.

 

What does the name of a hand-made Persian or Oriental rug or carpet mean?

The name of a carpet or rug does not tell you much about the quality or value. All it tells us is the geographic origin, such as the tribe who made it; (e.g Qashgai, Belouchi, Kurdi etc.);  the village or city (e.g. Tabriz, Bidjar, Shiraz, Hamadan) where it was made, or the city or market town where it was marketed (e.g. Shiraz, Teheran, Meshed).

 

Therefore, it will be wrong to decide value or merit or what to buy based only on the name of the carpet. Your judgment of what to buy must be based above all on your heart’s desire, what “speaks to you” and brings you joy to look at. And what will achieve the decorative effect you wish for; and give the durability where you intend to use it. The higher the quality you go for, the longer the likely life span and the more it will improve and mellow, like a fine wine — with correct care! (Ask for our free brochure on Care & Cleaning.)

 

What about “Grades” & "Values”?

Any one “name” can represent different grades of quality, for rugs or carpets crafted from the same place. They can and will vary from mediocre, to fair, to superior, to outstanding, and valued/priced accordingly. And the rare good older or modern—and antique collector-piece or museum-piece examples can be valued in the tens of thousands, the hundreds of thousands — even millions of US $s.

 

A good analogy is wines from a given area. Are all Burgundy French wines, or Stellenbosch South African wines the same quality or value? Of course not. The same would apply of course to original paintings, other works of art, diamonds etc.

 

Which country made or makes the “Best” quality?

Of course Persian (now Iran) is the best known and most famous carpet producing country, and there is a myth about “Persian carpets are the best.” Again as with works of art, wines, etc., the truth is, each and every one of the Oriental rug/carpet producing countries can and do craft from low to medium to high or even “masterpiece” qualities of this much loved and prized decorative work of Art. Those other countries include Turkey, Afghanistan, India & Pakistan to name the main ones.

 

One needs a reputable, well established dealer who will be able to show and advise you on quality and real merits and values. And who will gladly answer all your questions in plain language. Which is what we love to do, free! And over coffee or tea, no obligation!

 

What is the difference between a “Persian” and “Oriental”?  And between a “carpet” or “rug”?

Note: “carpet” refers normally to those larger than approx. 2.5 x 1.6 m (and they can go to almost any size as large as 12 x 8m or more!). The more popular carpet sizes include approx. 3 x 2m, 3.5 x 2.5m, 4 x 3m.

 

“Rug” normally refers to those sizes below 2.5 x 1.6m. Popular rug sizes include approx. 2.1 x 1.4m, 1.8 x 1.2m, 1.5 x 1.0m down to as small as 0.60 x 0.40m etc.

 

Genuine Persian and Oriental carpets are all Hand-knotted or Hand-woven decorative floor coverings made in one of the countries of the “Orient”. “Persian” strictly speaking, refers to all those made in Persia - since the mid 1930’s renamed Iran. Their basic methods, techniques and materials (wool, cotton & silk) of knotting the pile carpets, or weaving the flat-woven “Kilims”, is much the same — with minor variations — and has been for centuries. So, “Oriental” refers to those hand-made in other countries of the near- and far-east like Turkey, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China to mention a few; and even those made in N Africa such as Morocco and Egypt, though not strictly speaking from the Orient, but where the techniques and materials are much the same as in Persia/Iran.

 

Does it pay to repair your Persians or Orientals?

To decide whether a repair makes sense and the amount you are going to pay, there are these things you must decide or estimate: (and we gladly advise & help you with all this as part of our services.)

a) The market value of the damaged rug/ carpet as it is.
b) The cost of Repair.
c) Whether a satisfactory repair CAN be done. (Sometimes, the condition is so bad or so far gone that a repair is not possible!)
d) And the market value after the repair. If the value, after repair is not somewhat higher after repair, don’t waste your money!
e) The sentimental value to you regardless of the d) above, in which case you may decide to repair even if not economically viable
f) Finally,  and most important: how qualified and expert is the repairer or firm you deal with? Rather gladly pay more for high quality work than “a bargain” poor job!

 

How do I “preserve” & “conserve” my carpets?

Conservation is preserving your carpets with as little change to them as possible, and applies mainly to rare, old,  or  delicate valuable items—as they do in museums for example. The goal is to prevent further damage or deterioration. Continuing deterioration may be due to Insects, microbial attack, over-exposure to heat, light, moisture or the atmosphere etc. For instance, the rug/carpet can be faded through continued exposure to strong direct sunlight.

 

Main Conservation Tips:

Chemical use for cleaning, to kill insects or fungus, or for other treatment of the fabric must be completely removable by those—dealer, repairer etc., attempting it.
b) The minimum amount of chemical to produce the desired results should be used.
c) As much as possible, conservation techniques must preserve the original pliability, texture, sheen and color. Therefore, be advised and served by reputable experts!

 

Main Preservation tips:

d) Turn them around 180 degrees periodically, 3-6 months, to distribute wear and exposure to light, evenly.
e) Remove surface dirt and grit etc., regularly by vacuuming the pile with a suction fitting of a vacuum cleaner (NO harsh rotating brushes please!); or using a soft hand brush in the direction of the pile—i.e. with, not against, the lie of the pile. Do NOT include the fringes which are more delicate in the above. Brush fringes by hand periodically gently or they will wear away too soon.
f) Have them professionally cleaned once every 2 or 3 to 5 years, depending on use and degree of need for cleaning. One of our services.
g) As soon as you notice damage (cuts, tears or whatever) get such handled speedily before it gets worse and repair more costly or difficult. “ A stitch in time…” Another of our expert services.
h) Deal with a well-established and/or reputable firm expert in cleaning and/or repairing.

 

What are the different materials used to make hand-made Persians or Orientals carpets and rugs?

The vast majority are made of wool for the pile or nap, which is a very serviceable material, is soft to the touch and feel, holds warmth and is beautiful. A minority have a pile made of silk which is and has always been a more costly and glamorous material. Some rarer examples have camel-hair or cotton as pile, or parts of the pile; and some have wool pile with parts inlaid in silk.

 

The foundations are either of wool, cotton or silk. Cotton is the most frequent for “cottage industry/village” and city items; wool is usually used only for the works of tribal nomads; and silk only for the finer and more valuable urban “master-workshop” items.

 

Stains in wool can usually be easily removed provided one is using the correct detergents correctly and speedily enough. Wool can shrink if left wet too long and not speedily and thoroughly dried properly! Other material more seldom used is “art silk” which is mercerized cotton. (Again call or visit us for free advice!)

 

Stains are often more difficult to remove from silk, cotton and art-silk, and should be given to reputable expert dealers/cleaners be dealt with.

 

What is the difference between hand-knotted and machine-made carpets?

With machine made carpets, there are no knots tied to the foundation warp (vertical) threads, and so the tufts or pile is simply looped around the foundation and can be dislodged - they can be easily pulled out. With hand-knotted carpets, the tufts are firmly knotted; try and pull them out you will only make them tighter!

 

Also, the fringes on hand knotted carpets are the continuation of the foundation after the knotting or weaving is completed at both ends.

 

On machine made carpets, the fringes are usually added on after the carpet is complete. Another guide and test is: the sides and backs of Machine-made carpets are “machine-perfect” and straight; whereas the sides and weave as seen on the back of hand knotted carpets, being HAND-crafted will be more or less irregular and not so “machine- straight.”

 

The real test is: bend the pile of the rug or carpet horizontally; look down to the base of the pile; the tufts of a hand-made article will be knotted onto the foundation.

 

On the machine-made one, it will be simply looped around the foundation.

 

Did you know that using the correct methods of keeping your hand-made Persian or Oriental carpet clean can greatly prolong its life & its value!

Like any other floor covering, Persian and Oriental carpets need periodic maintenance like Vacuuming and Cleaning. The main idea is to remove surface dirt, dust, grit etc., from the pile before it gets lodge in the pile where it can cut or erode the pile, and spoil the look and beauty of the materials.

 

To remove surface dirt, dust, grit etc., from your hand-knotted carpets, use a soft broom or brush, sweeping with the pile. (i.e in the direction of the pile, NOT against it) Or use a Vacuum cleaner without rotating brushes which only uses suction fittings. A vacuum cleaner with rotating brushes can slowly erode the fibres.

 

Depending on the traffic and type of use, your carpet may need professional Cleaning once every Two to Five years. This must only be done by a reputable and expert dealer or specialist. Usual laundry or Steam-carpet Cleaners are seldom expert and can cause serious and costly damage. Be happy to pay a little more to protest and prolong the life and beauty of your investment in these beautiful works of decorative art and craft! This is one of our major services. Free advice & quotes!

 

Whether you are a new buyer, an existing owner or a veteran lover/collector, we wish you all the joy and pride possible from using Persians & Orientals to enhance your interiors—and your life! We are at your service! Get your 20% discount voucher NOW!