Rug 101

Rug Care

With proper care, Oriental rugs can last for generations. We recommend the following basic steps for all rugs but particularly for hand-made and costly machine-made rugs:

General Rug Care Tips
Vacuum rugs regularly… get professionally cleaned at least every one to four years, depending on the amount of traffic, kids and pets, environmental conditions, etc... use proper rug pad… examine your rugs periodically (both front & back) and get repairs done ASAP… give immediate first-aid-treatment to spills, stains and pet accidents (see below) and immediately get professional help… rotate rugs periodically to even out wear, sun-light discoloration… air rugs once in a year or two... no plants on rugs even with a protective dish below… use soft, felt-lined coasters under heavy furniture feet on the rug…

Rug Care Details: Why, When & How
1. VACUUMING: Depending upon usage (pets, kids, traffic, etc.), vacuuming your rug regularly will remove harmful grit, foreign materials and loose soil. If your rug is fringed, be careful to keep the vacuum off the fringe to prevent damage. For antiques or delicate or loosely woven rugs and flat-weaves, avoid using vacuums with beater-brushes. Instead, it is preferable to use a carpet sweeper.
2. USE RUG PAD: to avoid slipping or bunching and to provide support . It also acts as a barrier to moisture from the floor to the rug and discourages insect attacks. Avoid using too cushiony pads but it should have enough cushion & thickness.
3. WASHING & CLEANING: Despite regular vacuuming, dirt and other particulates keep accumulating deep in the pile at the base of the rug and it gradually gets somewhat compacted, especially in densely knotted rugs. No amount of vacuuming will take it all out. This gradually weakens the foundation and shortens the rug life. It also acts as an invitation to insects/moth etc. Depending upon the traffic, kids, pets, etc., get your rug washed and cleaned by a professional oriental rug cleaner once a year to once in 4 years. Cleaning techniques (like steaming, etc.) used by wall-to-wall carpet cleaners are not suitable for oriental rugs. Avoid cleaning oriental rugs at home (especially costly rugs) unless you are thoroughly familiar with the process – you may permanently damage your rug. Even dry-cleaning is not suitable for most oriental rugs.
4. TIMELY REPAIRS: Carefully examine your rug once in a while. Is the binding un-raveling or the fringes missing/fraying or are there bald or partially worn-out patches (missing pile or nap) due to excessive traffic, etc.? If so, take the rug to a professional oriental rug repairer ASAP. Just like any delayed-repair job, it may cost you $50 today but it may magnify to $500 down the line! Unfortunately, repair costs increase exponentially with time because all repairs are highly skilled jobs done entirely by hand.
5. ROTATE YOUR RUG: Every 6-months or a year, rotate your rug 180 degrees or, if possible, re-arrange furniture to even out the wear & tear due to traffic patterns of your home. This will also help avoid discoloration due to sun light falling on the same portion of the rug day-in & day-out. Or, pull the shades down when you go out for long periods or on vacation, etc.
6. AIRING THE RUG: For fine, costly & densely knotted handmade rugs, especially ones with long pile, air the rug once in every one to three years. When it is dry & sunny outside, prop it up about 9” to 18” from the ground using any supports like small stools, etc., for the whole day or about 6-8 hours (don’t leave it out overnight). Before bringing it in, just examine the back carefully to see any unusual thing or damage, especially damage by moths, which eats the wool at the base of knots, leaving cotton warp intact & visible. Unfortunately, moth damage occurs mostly at the back or base of the rug and remains undetected for a long time because it is usually not visible on the face. This kind of damage, if not detected early, can render a fine rug virtually worthless or very expensive to repair.

Spills, Stains & Pet Accidents

If a spill or pet urination occurs, try to take care of it immediately. Carefully blot spills using clean white tissues, napkins or towels. Be sure to blot only - do not rub. Rubbing can cause permanent damage to the rug fibers. Work from outer edge of the spill to the center.  Similarly, with other pet accidents, clean up the mess as best as you can with water mixed with a little mild neutral soap or shampoo. After this first-aid treatment, take the rug to a professional rug cleaner as soon as you can because delays may worsen the situation. Avoid handling serious situations yourself because unless you know what you are doing, you may aggravate the problem or even do permanent damage. 
We do professional rug washing, rug cleaning, rug repairs, rug restoration and rug appraisals.

How to Buy a Rug

Doing the spade work mentioned here will you save you a lot of hassles and time. For a new home, start with the rug first because it is easier to match it with other things like furniture, upholstery, curtains, wall colors, etc., since there is wider range available for these. Next, ascertain the size and shape (rectangular, square, round, octagon, runner, etc.) that will fit the room/place and take measurements.  Whether you want a traditional, transitional or contemporary rug?  An all-over or one with medallion pattern?  Geometrical or floral?  Would you prefer dark or light colors (earth tones/terracotta, pastel, jewel tones are some examples).

If it is an existing home, note down the colors, pattern, texture, etc., of the other items in the room like furniture (Modern, Victorian, etc.), upholstery, curtains, walls, paintings and other important accessories.  Carry swatches, if available. If possible, draw a rough sketch how furniture, doors, floor vents, etc., are placed, especially for oddly-shaped rooms.   Note down these details as these will greatly help you in decision making.  Finally, make a mental note of your budget range because an 8x10 dining room rug can be roughly from $500 to $5000 and much higher if wish to go for a very fine or antique rug.
Whether to use a traditional, transitional or contemporary rug depends entirely on individual liking & taste. Obviously, the décor of the room or place should coordinate with the rug.  Outdoor rugs should preferably be made of sturdy fibers not prone to rotting or weather related degradation.  Darker rugs with more pattern & less open field are generally suitable under dining room tables, high-traffic or entry areas as they are less prone to show stains. Flat weaves like Soumaks, Dhurries, etc. are frequently used for less formal areas.

Why Shop With Us?

The following factors give our customers distinct advantage for shopping with us over the competition:
Unlike other retailers, we practically import 100% of our handmade rugs directly from the overseas producers thus eliminating all middlemen. We are, therefore, able to give you the best quality for a given price without sacrificing our margins;
With Us, It Is More Like Buying “Factory Direct”!
We are deeply involved in designing, developing and producing our own rugs with the result that our customers get the latest styles and colors much before the competition can offer the same;
A sizable part of our operations is wholesale – supplying rugs to other retailers nation-wide.
Because we wholesale, we continuously receive multiple overseas shipments every month. Therefore, our inventory never goes stale but is perpetually being rejuvenated, meaning you get the latest patterns, colors and styles;
Our philosophy of cutting down on overheads and frills, which do not add any value to the product, without cutting corners on service and quality, has served our customers and us well for the last 28 years. We would rather pass on these savings to our customers giving them the best value for their money.