The Insiders Guide To Buying, Storing And Cleaning Fine Oriental & Area Rugs

Rugs made with natural dyes from plants and insects have colors that seem to shift hues. This jewel-like effect is lacking in rugs made with synthetic dyes. For instance, when you look at the red in a naturally dyed rug, the red changes hue to various tones of red to violet as you walk around the rug. When you walk around a rug made with man made dyes, the hues remain the same.

Carpets made from natural dyes usually cost almost twice as much as rugs made with synthetic dyes. However, both synthetic and natural dyes can both bleed when a rug is cleaned. So no matter where you buy the rug, make sure the dealer has a generous written 30 day, no-questions asked return policy. When you get the rug home, dampen a white paper towel and dab it with some gentle dishwashing liquid or soap. Since red is the most fugitive of dyes, place the damp towel on a red portion of the carpet if it has a red field. Leave the towel on dominant color field of the rug overnight. If you see red or any other dye transfer to towel, return the rug where you bought it and keep shopping for a rug that won= t bleed.

                    How To Determine A Rugs Quality

Durability depends mainly on a wool rug= s quality. A carpet with the finest wool can cost up to 25% more than one with mediocre wool. In fact, better quality wool can extend a rug= s life by 50%. When a rug is made with quality wool, the fibers lie in one direction and the surface feels smooth. When you rub it backwards it should feel rough. But cheap wool always gives way in any direction. Also the number of knots may be a mute point when considering the value of a rug. Fine weaves can range anywhere from 200 to 1,000 knots per square inch. That= s because a rug with a simple pattern is best interpreted with a coarse, less knot intensive weave.

                    The Inside Track On Antique Rugs

An antique rug, by federal government standards, is more than one hundred years old. And few people can afford invest in an antique rug. However, you can get a modern rug that has an antique wash applied to it that mimics an antique rug. Keep in mind that rugs that are Aantique washed@ are usually washed in a mild blend of chorine bleach and water or some other chemical formula. So when they are displayed in your home, make sure you keep them out of direct sunlight since rugs that are chemically washed have a tendency to fade.

Any rug that has been chemically treated usually costs one third less than a genuine antique rug. For instance, a quality rug that has been A antiqued@ may cost around $10,000. However, this rug would mimic a real antique rug that was worth $100,000. But the same rug that has not been chemically washed would sell for around $6,000.

                         Where To Buy Your Oriental Rug

Not long ago, a major TV network did an expose´ on oriental rug dealers in one major US city and found that 12 out 13 dealers in that city were dishonest!

The network also discovered that the problem of mis-representing the age, quality, value and fiber content or oriental rugs may be nationwide. In fact, one woman in the report invested $14,000 in a rug that proved to be almost worthless. So here are some tips on how to keep from getting fleeced when buying an oriental rug.

First, don= t buy from a dealer whom you do not trust and who won= t take a major credit card. If you put your purchase on a credit card, the credit card company may back you up if the sale was not above board.

Second, demand that the dealer A clearly print@ on your sales slip the country of origin, the rug= s exact fiber content, the number of knots per square inch, and whether it=s an antique and it=s actual value. Then make sure that the dealer has a liberal 30 day, written, no questions asked return policy. If you don= t like the way the rug looks when you get it to your home or office, or if you discover the dyes are not water fast, or if you have it appraised and it is valued less than what you paid, you should be able to return it for a full refund.

And last, make sure the store will give ample time to have your rug valued by an independent, certified appraiser whose opinion will hold up in court. If you= re investing a hefty sum in a rug, pay for the appraiser to meet you at the store, gallery or auction house before you make your purchase. To locate an appraiser in your area write: The International Society Of Appraisers, Riverview Park Office Plaza, 16040 Christenson Rd, Suite 102, Seattle,WA 16040. Phone 206-241-0359. Fax 206-241-0436. Or visit: www. Isa-Appraisers.Org

How To Display And Care For Fine Oriental & Area Rugs

Before you decide where to place your newly purchased rug, consideration should be given to its=s type, condition and value. If your rug is fragile, it will not last long in a high traffic area. If it is placed in a high traffic area, it should be a full pile type rug.

The resilience of your rug protects the knots. But knots without pile are not effective in protecting your rug=s foundation. The wear of your rug will accelerate once the knots are exposed. 

A good quality pad underneath your oriental rug will act as a shock absorber from foot traffic and friction. This in turn will reduce wear and extend the life of your rug. A good pad will also keep your rug from slipping and buckling underfoot. When you cut the padding for your rugs, make sure it is a least one inch smaller than the rest of the rug all around each edge. When your pad starts to flatten, the one extra inch will make up for the spreading of the pad.

Your oriental or area rugs in high traffic areas will wear more evenly if the direction of the rugs are reversed each year. Small rugs should be rotated semi-annually. You should also use soft, non-marking rubber furniture protectors to protect those areas where the furniture touches the rug. It= s also a good idea to vacuum your rugs at least once a week. If your vacuum has a power rotating brush or head, make sure you never pass the brush over the rug ends. A rotating brush will loosen and damage your fringes.

How To Inspect, Protect And Prepare Your Rugs For Storage

You should inspect your natural fiber rugs for insect damage several times a year. And always inspect your rugs before you plan to store them. Insects usually start to do damage on the back of the rug in dark places where the end of the rug may go under chairs or couches. So it= s a good idea to thoroughly inspect your rug and look for insect larvae. It usually has the appearance and feel similar to a sticky spider= s web. Also, area rugs that are wall mounted should also be inspected periodically.

    How To Safely Store Your Fine Oriental And Area Rugs

No matter where you store your rugs, make sure the storage area is no subject to wide variations in temperature. Optimum storage conditions for any rug should be no more than 50% relative humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. And you should never store your rugs unless they are clean. Soiled rugs invite insects and mildew.

You should always store your rugs in acid free paper or in TyvekJ made by Dupont. You should avoid storing fine wool rugs in plastic since wool rugs naturally retain moisture.  If the moisture cannot escape, then it can cause mildew, rotting and other problems. For information on where to get acid free paper or TyvekJ just ask the curator of your local museum. Or call University Products at 800-628-1912 Ask for their archival materials catalog.

Whenever possible, its always best to store your rolled rugs horizontally rather then on end. Also, try not to place any heavy objects on rugs that are being stored as this can cause damage. You should also avoid folding your rug for a long period of time since your rug can be damaged by crease lines. It= s also a good idea to store your rugs several inches off the floor in case of a flood.

When storing your fine rugs in a mover= s or off premise storage facility, make sure the storage facility is fully insured . Also get proof that you will receive full replacement value for your rugs if the storage facility falls victim to loss, theft, fire, flood or any other type of natural disaster. And make sure you have receipts, photos and appraisal values of your rugs in a safe place should have an insurance claim. If your rugs are extremely rare or if they are family heirlooms, you may want to take out a separate rider on your homeowner= s policy to cover them whether they are stored on or off your premises. The cost for this averages about $5 for every $1,000 of value.

How To Protect, Care For And Spot Clean Your Fine Oriental And Area Rugs

To protect your rugs from fading, avoid laying them in direct sunlight. Also, avoid putting live plants and any kind of plant holders on top of your rugs. Watering and feeding plants on top of a fine oriental rug can lead to mildew, dry rot, permanent stains and damage.

If you have a food or beverage spill on your rug, and your rug is colorfast, try first blotting it with a solid white cotton or paper towel. Avoid using a colored or pattern towel as the dye might transfer from the towel to your rug. If you have a solids material spill, try picking up the bits with a tea or table spoon and transferring the bits to a paper towel.

Then try spotting it with carbonated water after blotting. If you have a pet urine or feces spot on your rug, and your rug is colorfast, again try to blot up the excess urine with a solid white cotton or paper towel. If feces, scrape up any bits with a spoon. If it is urine or feces, take a one quart sprayer and mix 50% white vinegar ( never wine vinegar) and 50% water. Mist this on the remaining urine or feces spot and blot the area until the spot is gone. It= s a good idea to pretest carbonated water and the water and vinegar mixture in an inconspicuous area before you have a spotting emergency. This pre-testing will alert you to any dye loss problems before hand. Avoid using any supermarket, infomercial or any other type of TV A miracle spotter@ on a wool, cotton, silk other type of fine area rug. Most of these spotters are too harsh for your fine area rugs and may cause permanent damage to the fibers and dye sites.

Why You Should Professionally Clean All Your Area Rugs Once A Year

In the early 90's, Sweden thought that if it removed all the carpeting in public buildings, that it could dramatically reduce the amount of indoor air pollution. After two years, the Swedes noticed that the indoor air pollution increased 800%! The Swedes quickly discovered that carpets are a beneficial sink that hold and retain dust, dirt, germs dust mites and pollen until the carpets can be cleaned.

In modern homes and offices, it is now fashionable to have more hard surfaces and less carpet. However, since the air pollutants have no where to go, they bounce off the hard  surfaces, into the air, and increase the incidents of allergy and asthma attacks. So even if you have a few area rugs that don= t appear soiled, they should be cleaned at least once a year. If you have children or pets, or if the area rugs are in a commercial setting they should be cleaned every six months. Plus some 9 x 12 rugs can hide several pounds of dirt and actually appear to be clean!

Seven Pointed Questions You Should Ask A Cleaning Company Before You Entrust Them With Your Fine Oriental & Area Rugs 

Are They Experienced?

Over the past two decades, we have cleaned and restored several thousand orientals and area rugs including Starks, Axminsters, Wiltons, and antique rugs of every description from all over the globe. Plus we cleaned them all right on location and without incident. Over time, we heard many first hand stories from clients of how their family heirloom rugs were destroyed by inexperienced and uneducated cleaners who claimed to be experts. So when you entrust a cleaner with your precious rugs, make sure he or she has vast experience and has been specifically trained and certified in cleaning oriental and area rugs.

Are They Educated In Their Field?

We are proud to have been one of the first firms in America to be certified in Oriental & Area Rug Cleaning when it was first introduced over a decade ago. Plus we are college educated, and our company is fully certified by the nation= s leading certification organization: The Institute Of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration. Besides being certified in basic carpet cleaning, we are staff certified in the following fields: Commercial Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery & Drapery Cleaning, Journeyman Textile, Water, Fire & Smoke Restorer, Water Damage, Odor Control, Color Repair, Carpet Repair & Installation , Fire & Smoke Restoration, Master Textile Cleaner, Master Fire-Smoke Restorer, Hard Floor Care Technician, and Senior Practicing Carpet Inspector.

The last category qualifies us to do flooring and textile certified inspections, lab analysis and court testimony. And like a certified real estate appraisal, IICRC certified inspections are admissible as expert court testimony in a court of law. In addition, we are listed as A Who= s Who In The Service Industry@ published by the Certification Registry Board. We are also affiliates of The International Institute For The Conservation Of Historic & Artistic Works. And naturally, we always keep abreast of the most current global technology and cutting edge developments in our field.

Do They Have Good References?

Our company is considered by many as one of the best and most experienced cleaning firms in the area. We are often referred by leading textile and flooring manufacturers, interior designers, retailers, discriminating consumers and other cleaning professionals in the industry.

Here at Allstate, we can cheerfully supply you with a least 50 real and current references on request. And over the last two decades, the most respected and well known companies in America have turned to us for their cleaning, restoration and consulting needs. Plus we have always invited our potential clients to check our reputation with the Better Business Bureau or any other consumer agency.

Are They Properly Insured?

When you entrust the cleaning of your family heirloom rugs to a cleaning firm, make sure they have more than mere liability insurance. You want to make sure your cleaner has workmanship insurance that will pay the full replacement value of your rug if it is lost or stolen in transit, in storage or if it is damaged in the process of cleaning. This type of insurance is called care, custody and control and very few cleaners have this type of coverage. Here at Allstate we are fully bonded and insured for all our workmanship and we are a family owned, criminal, drug and alcohol free company.

You should be wary of cleaners, stores or galleries that claim to A hand wash@ or A plant clean@ oriental rugs. When you here this, always insist on seeing their rug cleaning plant before you turn over your area rugs to them. The sad truth is that 99% of all cleaners, stores and galleries who claim to A hand wash@ or A plant clean@ rugs either ship your rugs uninsured to a far off plant or clean your rugs right in their driveways, in a grungy make shift room behind their shops or on a dirty garage or basement floor.

You should also be suspicious if you are ever told that your rug was lost in transit or misplaced, and that your rug wasn= t worth much. And that the store= s insurance company will pay you a few dollars for your inconvenience. Or that upon inspection, you are told by a gallery that your rug isn= t worth cleaning. However, they are willing to give you a small sum for the rug to use for scrap repairs. In either case, you rug is probably worth a lot more than you can imagine. If you ever find yourself in either of these situations, do not hesitate to file a complaint with the consumer affairs office of the attorney general of your state or the Better Business Bureau.

What Systems Do They Use?  Are They Safe?

Here at Allstate, we are masters of every wet, low moisture and dry cleaning carpet and fabric cleaning system on the market today. Plus we use a few proprietary systems that are exclusive to us. Here at our company, we will employ any and all on-site systems we have available to make your orientals and are rugs look like new! And we absolutely, positively guarantee you that all our cleaning solutions are hypo-allergenic, and are 100% safe for you, your family members, your pets and the Earth.

Do They Provide Free Written Consultations?

If you want outstanding results with no surprises, make sure the company you choose will provide you with a free, no-obligation written analysis and consultation. At Allstate, this has always been our policy for almost a quarter of a century. And it continues to be our policy for all our clients residing in Mercer County, NJ and Bucks County, PA. However, if you reside beyond our immediate trading area anywhere in CT, NJ, NY or PA, and you have questions about an area rug you that you are planning to have cleaned, feel free to e-mail us a digital photo of the rug. In your e-mail, make sure you provide your full name, address city, state, zip and daytime and evening phone numbers. Also, please try to provide us with the length and width of the rug in linear feet. We= ll be happy to address any of your concerns.

Do They Guarantee Their Work?

For nearly two decades, the Allstate guarantee has always been, Satisfaction Guaranteed Or It=s Free!J That= s because we want to make doing business with us 100% risk free. That= s why in our immediate trading area, we always offer to clean and test a small area of your oriental or area rug that is under consideration for cleaning. This is in addition to our written evaluation. If you= re not thrilled with the results, we= ll leave with a smile at no cost or obligation to you. Because we do not want one client who feels they have paid us for something we did not deliver. In fact, if we think you won= t benefit from our services, we= ll give you our honest opinion so we won= t waste your time or your money. If you decide to engage our services, and you= re not pleased with the results, we= ll re-clean the area in question for free. If you= re still not pleased, the area or item of concern will be free! Plus we warrant most carpets cleaned by us will be dry in about an hour. And most of our residential work is guaranteed in writing for one full year! Plus we absolutely, positively, guarantee you no shrinkage ,no color loss, no color bleeding and no fabric damage to any of your fine oriental and area rugs, draperies or upholstery accepted as cleanable under our exclusive systems of cleaning and restoration.

Why You Should Entrust The Cleaning Of Your Area Rugs To Allstate?

Allstate Services International Inc.

Cleaned & Restored Like New ! Satisfaction Guaranteed Or It= s Free! J

Ring (609) 586-5833

Fax: (775) 252-9496   E-mail: allstate@usa.net

Visit Us At : www.AllstateCleaning.Com

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