Oriental Rug Salon is a full-service Oriental and Persian area rug cleaning and appraisal company located in SW Florida. In this week's blog post, we explore the history of the Gabbeh area rug. Gabbehs are traditionally hand-woven pile rugs of coarse quality and medium size characterized by an abstract design that relies upon open fields of color and a playfulness with geometry or simplicity. Made of natural, handspun wool yarn and all the colors are created with natural plant dye. Gabbeh patterns are of a very basic kind with only a limited number of decorative, mostly rectangular objects resembling mainly animals.  Furthermore, usually bright colors, such as yellow and red, are used. Although large fields of solid color are used in Gabbeh designs, the color is variegated (the color varies [...]

Vegetable Dyes and Persian-Oriental Area Rugs In genuine, hand-knotted Persian, Oriental, Turkish wool and silk area rugs, especially antiques, the dyes used to create each color of your rug were probably made from organic or vegetable dyes. Once the sheep's wool has been made into yarn the next procedure is to dye it using natural ingredients. For example, fruits, plants, and vegetables. The process to boil takes about 20 to 30 minutes to extract the pigment and strain from the natural ingerediants and then add cold water, cooling the bath down. The dye expert will then add wet wool and slowly nring to a boil over 30 to 40 minutes.  The batch is then simmered for 30 to 40 minutes or until a good color is reached. The specially made [...]

Never allow a carpet cleaning company an opportunity to ruin your cherished area rug.  This video explains why:  https://orientalrugsalon.com/videos/never-let-carpet-cleaner-clean-rugs-home/ Go With The Experts Persian, Turkish, wool, and silk area rugs, when properly cleaned and maintained, act as in-home air filters.   And just like your air conditioning filter, if your rugs aren’t properly maintained, they will contribute to indoor air pollution, develop wear patterns, and become a haven for dust mites, pollen, moths, and other unwanted pests and allergens. Genuine hand-knotted area rugs will last many generations with the proper care and cleaning.  At our company, Oriental Rug Salon, we have seen museum-quality textiles that are over 100 years old in phenomenal condition, and rugs less than three years old ready for the trash heap. If your area rug is hand-knotted, [...]

Flooded Oriental Area Rugs?  We Can Help! Annually, we receive dozens of rugs that have been involved in a water intrusion, and one constant is evident  The faster a rug receives professional intervention, the better the end result of the cleaning and restoration. Many rugs received are flooded as a result of a client or handyman playing plumber and incorrectly installing an under-sink water treatment system or refrigerator water line for an ice maker.  Other floods are a direct result of a water heater burst, an upstairs neighbors overflowing toilet or bathtub, or a result of a storm, hurricane, or other foul weather events. For whatever reason wool or silk Oriental, Persian, Turkish, etc. rugs is involved in a water intrusion incident, time is of the essence.  Rugs can be [...]

Oriental, Persian, and Turkish Area Rug Appraisals Two of the most influential factors that go into determining an Oriental, Persian, or Turkish rug’s value are its antiquity and where it was made. However, a rug’s quality of workmanship, size, and the materials utilized in its creation also play a significant role. Whether you’ve received your Oriental rug as part of an inheritance, purchased it from a dealer or private individual, or obtained it through other ways, knowing what your rug is worth means more than just knowing its value in terms of a dollar figure. While the actual cost of replacement or value on the market is important, it’s equally important to know the history of your rug, its approximate age, and any other information an expert can provide. Here [...]

Most hand-knotted Turkish, Oriental, Persian, Sarouk, Kilim, Afghan, and other area rugs are made from wool.  Wool is naturally fire-resistant, durable, wrinkle, and soil-resistant, and is the fiber of choice for some of the world’s most beautiful area rugs. Where does wool come from? Wool is a natural fiber grown by sheep that covers most of their body. The fleece protects sheep from the weather, keeping them warm during winter and cool during the hot summer. Woolgrowers genuinely care for their animals and the environment and are committed to doing what is best for their animals and the land. A key responsibility in caring for healthy and happy sheep involves shearing their fleece. Shearing is necessary for the welfare of sheep and if it is not done, the fleece can [...]

Hand-woven carpets made from natural fibers such as wool or silk provide a tasty snack for moths, and a cherished Oriental or Persian rug can be destroyed in a matter of weeks once moths make a feast of it.  Weekly, we receive area rugs from clients around the United States with moth intrusion.  The damage in some of the rugs can be repaired while others are a lost cause.  Wool and silk contain keratin, a fibrous protein that the worm-like larvae of the moth can digest. Moths, especially the Casemaking and Webbing clothes moth, are the worst enemies of any fine rug, especially older and antique rugs. How Did Moths Make Their Way into My Home? You might think that your house is moth-free and your rugs are safe and [...]

As leading industry experts in wool and silk area rug appraisals, cleaning, and repair, Oriental Rug Salon is often a knowledgebase for interior designers, rug retailers, insurance companies, and rug collectors. We're frequently asked for opinions about rug values, identification of area rugs, and the proper care and maintenance cycle for a good rug cleaning.  We also provide area rug appraisals in person and online and help clients negotiate the value of an area rug before purchase, often saving them thousands off of the price of a rug they're interested in at a retailer. Hand-How knotted Area Rugs Versus Machine-made Rugs  What is a hand-woven rug and how are they made?  Click here for a video explanation. Hand-knotted rugs are extremely beautiful, and there are many reasons why buying a [...]

Daily, Oriental Rug Salon receives calls from panicking rug owners on how to deal with pet urine on their wool or silk area rug.  It seems that “Fido” has had an accident on a cherished area rug, and the owners know that if something is not done quickly, the wool or silk fibers may begin to discolor, develop a nauseous odor, or if left untreated, cause dry rot. Wool is naturally resilient, water-repellent, naturally fire retardant, and dirt-resistant, but urine can alter the fibers and the rug dyes if allowed to sit. If the day comes that your usually well-trained dog has an accident on your cherished wool or silk area rug, rapid response is half the battle. Having a “mess kit” of towels and cleaning supplies ready is essential. [...]

Oriental or Persian wool or silk area rugs that have been taken care of will last for generations while maintaining their beauty and value.  Although wool and silk are an extremely durable rug making material, they are not indestructible. Normal wear and tear, household chemicals, improper cleaning, and indoor heating and air conditioning can take a toll. Following these guidelines can help ensure that your cherished area rug looks its best. Use The Correct padding Using the wrong padding or worse, no underlay at all—can damage your cherished wool or silk area rug. When a rug is placed directly on an uncarpeted surface, it gets squeezed between the floor and your feet (or anything you put on top of it), which can damage the rugs fibers. The type of underlay [...]