Several times a week, in my travels across south-western Ontario, I see many handmade area rugs that has been repaired using a machine fringe. Sometimes I see it on an average commercial quality handmade rug and sometimes its finer piece and sadly I see it on a magnificent works of art. Usually if a customer know that difference between handmade fringes and glued on machine fringe they will definitely go with the handmade fringe. One problem in this business is that many carpet cleaner are not experienced in the Oriental rug industry and don't know any better. They have difficulty distinguishing between a good rug and a not so good rug. Therefore they think they are doing right but in reality they are butchering the rug. A qualified "Oriental Carpet Specialist" would direct the rug owner in the proper direction. Machine fringes on a handmade rug not only looks cheesy, the glue that is used to hold the fringe destroys the end of the rug. It would be almost impossible to remove the fringe without losing about an inch off the border. If you don't want to go with the more expensive handmade fringe on your rug, then have it bound. Binding is hand done and that in itself will protect the value of the rug. Also you can have the binding removed in the future without causing any permanent damage. let's be clear, Machine fringe is fine on a machine made rug. In other words keep your handmade rug all handmade and vice versa.
 Antique rugs are true treasures. Not just in the monetary sense but also as family heirlooms. The emotional connection people have to their old rugs is incredible. I find that most people that have antique rugs have a heighten fear of giving them over to a carpet cleaner to haul away for cleaning or repairs or whatever they may need. Basically you have nothing to fear. If your carpet cleaner is focused on cleaning area rugs and only area rugs than he has probably cleaned hundred of antique rugs over the year. The guy that pulls up in a van with a powerful truck mount carpet cleaning machine that derives it power and steam form V8 engine is not the man for this job. Nor is the cleaning company that cleans rugs as well as leather goods and shoes. Find a carpet cleaner that is a professional Oriental Persian and area carpet cleaner.
This is a common questions. Oriental rugs should be washed on a regular basis. Because wear occurs gradually, it often goes unnoticed until its too late. The granular dirt fibers that hide in dirty rugs go to work causing the pile to wear more rapidly. Traffic on a rug doesn't cause wear. Traffic on a dirty rug does.
Oriental rug that are in low traffic area like the living or dining room should be cleaned every 2-3 years and rugs that are in high traffic areas such as hallways and foyers should be cleaned every year or so. It's true, clean carpets last longer. |
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