Rug Essentials - Buying Tips
Our products much like the clients we serve come from different parts of the world, which makes the buying process a crucial one. Surely, some useful tips on how to go about selecting a rug for yourself could be considered valuable in our opinion.
Now that we have established its importance, let us begin with handknotted rugs. Knowing your hand knotted rug in its various forms – quality, knot count, material, finishing, origin of designs etc. are critical factors which allow for a smooth purchase. While engaging in the process, we always advise our customers to ask the right questions. To make things easier for everyone, we have prepared a list of queries that must be attended to by any rug merchant selling hand knotted rugs:
What is the knot count?
Rug merchants everywhere will divulge this information in different ways, so it is imperative that a customer understands this reference properly. On most occasions, the knot count is shared in the form of knots per sq. inch, which essentially means the number of knots there are in one inch of a rug as you move both – vertically and horizontally, hence, the term square inch. Bear in mind, a higher knot count means two things – it allows for the motifs/ medallions in a rug to be as detailed as possible and it indicates a higher price. A good way to verify this information is by asking the seller for an inch scale to keep at the back of a carpet and measure the knot count.
What quality of materials have been used?
An extremely well-known fact, however, can mislead a lot of customers if they don’t know how to distinguish between natural fibres. Knowing your jute from your wool and your wool from your silk etc. is the key to understanding what materials have been used in making your rug.
Traditionally, real silk carpets are far more expensive than wool ones. In addition to this, it is important to know the source of the fibre, for instance, if the carpet is made from wool then one must inquire about the quality of the wool, where has it come from, how was it spun and dyed. This brings us to silk, as you all may have seen or read earlier, there are two varieties of silk used in making rugs. One is the real silk fibre extracted from natural sources while the other is artificial silk or bamboo silk made from chemical processes. Over the years and through industry abuse, we have seen the latter masquerade in the markets as real silk and so, we strictly advise all our clients to exercise caution. Carpets made from art silk are relatively cheaper than the ones produced with real silk and you’d surely be wise to remember the difference.
Where was it made and how was it finished?
Being able to identify the source of a rug’s production is truly the mark of a seasoned rug buyer. The regions of Agra and Jaipur are known for their vegetable dyed and oxidised style of rugs while the ones originating from the rural areas of Varanasi/ Bhadohi are more prominent for Persian designs such as Heriz, Tabriz, Herati etc. These are just a few examples that we want to share with all of you that’ll help in the entire process.
Lastly, while going through your selection of carpets/rugs, it is important to check for durability. For this we recommend testing the warp and weft to ensure they are of sound quality. All you need to do is fold the carpet from any chosen area where you can view the insides of the pile and give it a slight jerk. If you notice creaks in the carpet, the warp and weft maybe faulty or not of good quality. Also be sure to see the pile in detail whether yarn fibres shed upon being pulled gently.
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Knowing your hand knotted rug in its
various forms are critical factors which allow for a smooth purchase
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When the time comes to purchase, due consideration should always be given to the following:
Setting of the carpet
- How is the room going to be used?
- What is the expected volume of traffic for that room?
- Will this room be the centre of activity for family and entertainment?
- Is the rug going to be closer to the entrance? Will people take off their footwear prior to stepping on it?
Size and Shape
- Size and shape should be considered, depending on your taste, furniture, and space. Are you planning to use a king-size rug as a large centrepiece for the room, or do you need a few small rugs to create fun accents around the house?
- Runners look great in hallways and staircases while round, oval, and square rugs might be best suited for your office space. Rectangular rugs are by far the most common shapes and more widely available.
Estimated Cost
- Knowing your financial threshold is a prudent way of shopping for anything especially rugs since they run anywhere between a few thousand to several lakhs depending on the factors we have shared here.
- However, this restraint should not let you make a compromise on your taste instead be guided by it. For instance, buying a rug with a great design, finish etc. that compliments your taste even if it’s slightly bigger or smaller should not weigh you down if this is truly what will satisfy your quest for the perfect décor
Rug Essentials - Caring
Quality handmade carpets are beautiful and durable than any other kind there are in the market today. What does, however, ensure long life and make it a valuable family heirloom is following these simple care instructions diligently:
ONE | Ensuring the carpet is not exposed to extended durations of sunlight. Handmade textiles do not require constant exposure to the sun as this can lead to colour fastness wherein the colours of the rug fade faster than usual. One must take note, as a rug ages with time, its colours tend to gradually fade giving it the antique appearance of a collectible.
TWO | Wear and tear is a commonly occurring phenomenon with hand woven carpets especially if they are placed under a coffee table, sofa, armchair etc. We advise shifting the furniture every now and then as it allows the pile to stand up straight maintaining its original form thereby keeping the rug intact for longer.
Fringes
For those of you who are new to this, fringes are extensions of the warp that are carefully tied into a knot to prevent displacement of the yarn. We recommend proceeding with caution when dealing with the fringes of a carpet as once unravelled, they permanently hamper the rug unless attended to in a timely fashion. Do not use any form of residential or industrial adhesive since it’s a frivolous attempt to make any sort of amends and can cause permanent loss of value. If the carpet has indeed incurred damage, it’ll immediately require restoration work which is best left to our skilled professionals.
Spills
A liquid spill like water, coffee, wine, milk, ink, blood etc. demands immediate attention. Your first response should be to gently apply an absorbent paper towel and gradually increase pressure. Once complete, you may use dry paper towels to squeeze out the liquid. Spirits and other beverages containing sugar need additional treatment in the form of a damp sponge that has been dipped into a warm detergent solution. Beginning from the surface of the pile, work your way inwards around the edge of the spill. Always remember, the sponge should be damp and not drenched in the solution as it’ll wet the carpet excessively. After applying this sponge, do not engage in any kind of rubbing of the surface or attempting to scrub out any remnants of the spill.
Insects
Although, the yarn we use for our carpets undergoes an intense moth proofing treatment, there are still insects which may eat through the yarn despite these strong measures. Rugs that are in regular use do not usually encounter these issues, however, if you have carpets lying around in spare rooms or areas that are not utilised all that often then you may need to have them rolled and stored properly. We suggest conducting a moth-proofing treatment of this area prior to storing the rugs in it. The wool eating carpet beetle is uncommon in cool regions, but if found, please seek professional assistance without any delay.
Cleaning and Repairs
Cleaning a carpet can become an unforeseeable headache if one does not conduct this activity appropriately. Before you use any kind of vacuuming device onto your rug, it is recommended that you put the carpet out in the sun for a while. You’ll need to see to it that the rug does not receive direct sunlight for more than a couple of hours. Post giving it its overdue time in the sun, begin vacuuming the carpet in the direction it has been woven. Now, we understand a lot of our customers may not know what this means. There is no need to worry, all you have to do is run your hand against the surface of the rug and as you see the pile brush up against your hand you’ll notice a visible difference while running your hand in both directions. To confirm how the carpet has been woven, it will be the direction in which there is minimal disruption of the design. Alternatively, you can turn the rug upside down, walk on it for a few weeks and vacuum underneath regularly. Vacuuming a rug is more important than washing, as the dirt at the base of the knots causes damage to the surface of the pile.
Its definitely possible to keep your rug looking as beautiful as it did coming out of its packaging, but its going to require a little care, cleaning and maintenance.
Complete and proper cleaning is contextual and dependant on the type of fibre used in the rug. A breakdown of proper cleaning on synthetic and natural fibres is mentioned in the next few pages.
Synthetic Fibres
Acrylic
Use a common cleaning detergent or create one with a teaspoon of natural detergent and a teaspoon of pure white vinegar combined with a quart of warm water. Absorb as much of the liquid before applying the cleaning solution.
Polypropylene
Fortunately, polypropylene is inherently stain-resistant and features very low moisture absorption. For best results follow wool cleaning instruction.
Viscose
Avoid placing a viscose rug in a high movement and moisture area. Whisk up any spills or stains by blotting with a dry cloth. We recommend scraping solids with a dull knife or nail file. If in doubt, opt for professional cleaning services.
Polyester
Like polypropylene, polyester features very low moisture absorption. For best results follow wool cleaning instruction.
Natural Fibres
COTTON
If stated only on care instruction tags on the rug, small sized rugs can be machine washed in warm water with a mild detergent. Larger rugs should be treated with a dry cleaning powder to prevent damage.
Jute
Jute is not water-resistant, so do not place it in an area with high moisture levels. Blot the stains with a dry cloth immediately and if necessary, opt for professional cleaning services.
Sisal
Immediately remove any spills and stains by blotting with a dry cloth or scrape off the solids with a dull knife. If necessary, opt for professional cleaning services.
Wool
Use a common wool cleaning detergent or create one with a teaspoon of natural detergent and a teaspoon of pure white vinegar combined with a quart of warm water. Absorb as much of the liquid before applying the cleaning solution.
How to Vacuum Rugs
Regular vacuuming is essential for removing deeply embedded dirt and prolonging the life of your rug. Before you vacuum, make sure you considers the rug’s construction. This practice is necessary to allow the vacuum to penetrate the bottom of the pile pulling out dust particles that have settled there over time.
01. Regular Pile
Vacuum regulary. We recommend you to do it once a week, especially in the first month of your purchase.
02. Shag
For these rugs, its simple and quick. Just shake them outside to loosen the dirt
and other particles.
03. Loop / Br
Set the vacuum on the highest setting and clean the rug.
