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Antique Rugs

Antique Rugs Cleaning

An antique rug is so much more than a piece of home decor. It often carries an heirloom value attached to it, as people have a deep emotional connection with a rug that belonged to their forefathers. And if you have purchased an antique rug, you know how expensive it is, and how majestic it looks when spread on the floor. Back in the day, these rugs used to be a symbol of status and opulence, and even in modern times, they have retained their charm.

 

When you have a vintage carpet or rug at home, it requires some extra TLC. The intricacies on the rug make it nothing short of a piece of art, and without regular care, the artefact will lose its lustre. Besides regular maintenance at home, you should opt for professional rug cleaning occasionally, to ensure that the carpet stays intact for a long time to come.

 

What Is an Antique Rug?

 

As you can understand by the name, an antique rug is something quite old. But how old does a rug have to be to become ‘antique’? Experts say any carpet or rug made 80-100 years ago can be called vintage or an antique piece. And of course, they can be older than 100 years too.

 

For a piece of fabric that has existed for so long, it’s quite evident that it needs special care so that wear and tear can be minimized. These rugs have a rich artistic value, as well as a high price value in the market, both because of their antiquity, as well as craftsmanship. If you happen to be in possession of an antique rug, make sure you’re tending to it properly, because it’s truly an asset worth being proud of.

 

How Often Should You Clean Your Antique Rug?

 

At home, you can vacuum your antique rug regularly, to prevent the accumulation of dirt and dust. And for deeper care, you must send your rug to a professional cleaner every 1-2 years, depending on your preference.

 

What Is the Best Way to Clean Your Antique Rug?

 

There are multiple ways you can keep your rug prim and proper at home. By following these methods, you can prolong the life of your antique rug, and prevent any risk of permanent damage to the rug.

Antique Rug Care: Antique Rug Cleaning in New York

Does your antique carpet need a good cleaning?

 

Whether they are in a home, a hotel, an auction house or in an apartment, antique rugs and carpets are beautiful luxury items. Therefore, they need to have the proper care in order to ensure their longevity, beauty and value. Even with weekly vacuuming, grit and dirt will accumulate in the foundation of your antique rug and can eventually cause damage.

 

As we specialize in the trading, selling, appraisal, consulting and restoration of antique carpets, we provide a complete professional cleaning service for oriental and hand-knotted carpets. We will fully clean and protect your area antique carpets for damage and long term wear.

 

How do I know when it’s time to have my antique rug cleaned?

 

To keep its luxurious aspects and bright colors for years to come, your antique rug should be professionally cleaned every three to five years, depending on how much foot traffic it receives.

 

What if my antique rug has stains?

 

Stains are generally the most obvious sign that your antique carpet needs to be cleaned. Aside from gently specking spills, you better leave stain-removal work to professionals. Stains will tend to set it and get worked into the fibers as they are rubbed or as they dry. Please note that bugs, moth, and rot are more likely to affect dirty antique rugs, including those kept in storage.

 

How do antique rugs get cleaned?

 

Most of the antique rug cleaning process includes five steps.

 

The key to getting your antique rugs clean is that the cleaning starts before we actually wash it. Below, you will find the general cleaning steps for antique rugs:

 

  • Step 1: Your antique rug will be put in a dusting machine for many hours, where all the grit and dust embedded deep into the fibres will be removed. This first step process is dry.
  • Step 2: Then, we test your antique rug’s fibres for colour fastness. Our professional team wants to protect the colors on your antique rug and avoid causing the design and pattern to blend in together. At this step, our technician will add blockers if your antique rug shows a tendency for the colors to run out.
  • Step 3: All stubborn stains are cleaned and removed by hand.
  • Step 4: Then, your area rug will go into a bath where it is soaked in both water and soap. After, its fibres get lightly scoured, then it will go to the jet wash and come out through the wringers at the back of the machine.
  • Step 5: You antique area rug gets hung in a well-ventilated temperature-controlled drying room where the fringes are hand cleaned.