• Published On: Aug 2015|1.6 min read|

    (Heriz Persian Rug - Country) Country rugs have a reputation for using natural dyes and bold and geometric patterns that are unique to each community. Because the dyes are natural, country rug weavers often use less color in each rug. The age-old process started with nomadic tribes in Mongolia and Turkey and continues today to define the cultural heritage of many countries throughout Asia and the Middle East. The process may begin in a pasture where men shear the sheep. The wool is then spun and dyed, preferably using natural plants such as indigo, madder, pomegranates or oak. The wool is then brought into villages where the women of extended families sit together around a loom and weave designs that are integral to their history, religion, and way of life. [...]

  • Published On: Aug 2015|1.6 min read|

    (The above is a Persian Tribal rug from Iran) When preserving a client's beautiful area rug we often hear that they have a "Persian" or "Oriental" rug and many clients don't the difference between the two very distinct rug types. Oriental Rugs By the strictest definition, Oriental rugs are rugs hand knotted only in Asia. Iran, China, India, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Tibet, and Nepal are some of the biggest rug exporters. Persian Rugs Persian rugs also are Oriental rugs but they are made only in Iran (formerly known as Persia). An authentic Persian rug or carpet is hand knotted. Persian rug designs were once named after the city in which they were created. As their popularity increased, these patterns became produced elsewhere and kept their original names. Tabriz, Hamadan, Gabbeh, Heriz, [...]

  • Published On: Aug 2015|1.2 min read|

    Did you know Rugs and carpets used in mosques often have motifs like the Kaaba (in Mecca), a mosque lamp (symbolic of Allah), a water basin (symbolizing of ritual ablution) and sometimes a mountain (symbolically elevating the worshipper) woven into them. Above is a prime example of an antique Turkish prayer rug with a mosque lamp motif.  (Note the lamps hanging in the background). Oriental Rug Salon is SW Florida's largest and most experienced Oriental, wool and silk area rug cleaning and repair facility.  We are a Certified Partner with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the international Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI).  We are also A+ certified with the Better Business Bureau and Angie's List. If we can ever be of service to you or [...]

  • Published On: Aug 2015|1.1 min read|

    Ever wonder why "Hand-Knotted Oriental Rugs" cost so much?  Here's why.... An 8X10 hand-knotted wool rug of good quality with 400 knots per square inch (4,608,000 total knots) takes approximately 6,144 hours or 768 eight hour work days to make. Now you know..... Oriental Rug Salon is SW Florida's most experienced and largest Oriental, wool and silk area rug cleaning and repair company serving all of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel, Punta Gorda, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples FL. We are a Certified Partner with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the international Carpet & Rug Institute.  We are also A+ certified with Angie's List and the Better Business Bureau. At Oriental Rug Salon we do not use automated equipment to "clean" rugs as we [...]

  • Published On: Aug 2015|2 min read|

    Improper Cleaning Damages Oriental Rugs.... Improper cleaning is a leading cause of damage to Oriental rugs. We advise our clients to wait until they are assured that they have located the right cleaning and restoration service before deciding to clean an Oriental rug, tapestry or textile. It is important to investigate claims, know the difference and obtain reliable references or industry certifications. The danger presented by most commercial companies is due to the harshness of over-the-counter cleaning formulations, hot water, mechanical brushing, and washing machines and - in the case of in-home or steam cleaning - inadequate cleaning and incomplete rinsing. The shortcuts of wall-to-wall carpet steam cleaning companies and traditional commercial cleaning machines are a radical departure from the principles and practices of rug and textile conservation. It is [...]

  • Published On: Aug 2015|1.9 min read|

    When purchasing a genuine Oriental rug, don’t fall victim to the following “Sales” advertisements: Don't be fooled by huge markdowns or deep discounts like ”50%”, ”60%“ or even ”90%“ off. Sellers feature high mark-ups to accommodate this kind of discounting at: ◦Fake Custom Auctions ◦Going Out of Business (GOB) Sales ◦Moving Sales ◦Liquidation Sales ◦Lost Lease Sales ◦Closing Forever Sales ◦Bankruptcy Sales ◦Remodeling Sales • Stay away from fake Customs Auctions of seized-rugs advertised in your local newspapers. At these auctions, you bid on rugs supposedly seized by U.S. Customs. These auctions are ALL FRAUDULENT for the simple reason that goods that are seized by Customs must be shipped out of the country; they are not allowed to be sold in the U.S. (That is why they have been seized [...]

  • Published On: Aug 2015|1.4 min read|

    What is an Oriental rug? An authentic Oriental rug is a handmade carpet that is either knotted with pile or woven without pile. Oriental-design rugs are made by machine or any method other than hand knotting or hand weaving are not considered authentic Oriental rugs. These rugs normally come from a broad geographical region extending from China in the East to Turkey and Iran in the West and the Caucasus in the North to India in the South. People from different cultures, cou...ntries, racial groups and religious faiths are involved in the production of oriental rugs. Oriental rugs are organized by origin: Persian rugs, Anatolian rugs, Kurdish rugs, Caucasian rugs, Central Asian rugs, Turkestan rugs, Chinese rugs, and Tibetan rugs. Retailers such as Lowes, Home Depot, Pottery Barn, Macys and [...]

  • Published On: Jul 2015|2.7 min read|

    Let’s face it  . . . life is messy.    And it’s surprising how fast a neat and tidy home can get dirty, especially with kids, pets, a busy social life, and trees dropping “who knows what” all over.  Generally speaking, a “dirty” environment where dust, soil, microbes, mold, pollen and potential pathogens thrive does not promote good health.  Two things you can do to create a healthier indoor environment are: having a regular cleaning routine and hiring a certified professional company like Oriental Rug Salon (a division of Tru-Clean Carpet & Tile Care) for periodic deep cleaning of your furnishings and flooring. Dusting furniture, blinds, window sills, and other hard surfaces, as well as sweeping, damp mopping, and, especially vacuuming with a high-filtration machine on a regular basis can remove [...]

  • Published On: Jul 2015|1.7 min read|

    DID YOU KNOW that a valuable area rug in your home is virtually crying out for some comfort? When people start installing more hard floors in homes, the first thing many of them do is cover those floors with soft area rugs. Some of these rugs cost thousands of dollars, and they need their own special protection. A rug pad designed and sized specially for your area rug (or rugs, if you are fortunate enough to have several in your home) is the protection they need and deserve. Why go with a quality rug pad? Because they: 1.    Add cushioning and comfort for you 2.    Can add years to the life of a rug 3.    Protects the flooring beneath the rug 4.    Prevents the rug from slipping and you from [...]

  • Published On: Jun 2015|1.2 min read|

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FqVed_CdQU Oriental Rug Salon, a division of Tru-Clean Carpet & Tile Care, is SW Florida's most respected and experienced Oriental, Wool and Silk area rug cleaning and repair companies. Having expertise in all facets of area rug cleaning and repair, Oriental Rug Salon is proud to be the "cleaner of choice" to many of our areas leading interior designers, realtors, insurance companies and collectors of fine Oriental area rugs. Each Oriental area rug trusted to us is washed by hand by some of the most experienced technicians in SW Florida.  We never use mechanical equipment as we feel automated washing is best left to car washes and not valuable wool or silk area rugs. It's our attention to detail that makes us one of the most respected Oriental, wool and silk area rug [...]