CLEANING:
Inevitably; some dirt and grit will escape the vacuum and work its way deep into the nap of the rug. Oriental rugs should be washed every three to five years, depending on their use and the amount of traffic they undergo. Using steam-cleaning or chemicals on an Oriental rug removes the natural oils from the wool. The pile becomes brittle, and the carpet wears out sooner. Do not, unless absolutely necessary, submerge an Oriental rug in water. Surface cleaning is usually all that is required. Squeezing or wringing out an Oriental rug dislodges the pile from the foundation. Let the rug dry on a towel or on the grass for a day on its back side. The beauty and life of Oriental rugs are vitally dependent on their cleanliness. Lack of maintenance will contribute to loss in the potential investment. For best results, always use an experienced professional cleaning service that specializes in hand-made oriental rugs.

SWEEPING:
Sweeping the rug with a broom at least once a week removes loose soil and brings out its natural sheen.

CRUSHED PILE:
Revive carpet pile that has been crushed by heavy furniture by brushing the indented area with a soft brush. Moisten with a spray bottle, and brush again.

HANGING:
Before hanging carpets on the wall, be certain that the warp threads can stand the strain. Use a strong poster holder to distribute the weight of the rug evenly. Do not use nails or staples to hang a large rug for long periods of time.

RUG STORAGE:
When a rug is to be stored for more than a few months it should be cleaned, sprayed with insecticide, and wrapped in fabric. It can rot or mildew in plastic. An Oriental rug needs to breathe. A rug can be rolled up and stored in a chest with some paradichlorobenzene crystals, which make the wool inedible to moths. Renew the mothproofing every few months. Large carpets should be rolled around poles with the protruding ends resting on blocks or trestles. A rug stored in a damp or humid area will mildew, which discolors and weakens the fibers. A hot or poorly-ventilated storage area will dry out the base of the rug, making it brittle, destroying strength and durability. Store the rug in a clean, dry place out of the reach of squirrels or other rodents. Periodic inspection of the rug is strongly recommended. Water Damage Most varieties of Oriental rugs have wool pile, but many have cotton warp and weft (the warp is the foundation upon which knots are tied to create the pile; the weft runs over and under warp strings between rows of knots to strengthen the rug from side to side). This cotton foundation can be weakened, and sometimes actually rotted, if the rug is wetted repeatedly and not properly dried. A common cause of such damage occurs when potted plants are placed directly on a rug. The plant is watered regularly, the pot leaks, and the rug under the pot stays permanently damp. Within two or three weeks the foundation of the rug can become so weak that chunks can be torn from the affected area by hand. If you use planters near a rug, try to place them on a slim legged stool, or a caster-based support that lets you see under the pot and allows for ventilation. After watering the plant check to be sure the rug under it is completely dry. Another form of water damage can affect rugs used in a basement or other area below grade level. If the basement floods the potential for damage is obvious. The rug must be removed quickly, properly cleaned, and allowed to dry completely. A more insidious form of damage can be caused by using a rug over a damp floor (as is often the case if the floor is cement). Even though the floor is not noticeably wet to the touch, there can be enough moisture to allow microorganisms to flourish in the material of the warp and weft and to degrade the strength of the rug's foundation. A rug damaged in this way will often feel peculiarly stiff when manipulated. The rug will sometimes be so stiff it will be difficult to roll, and if you listen carefully to the back of the carpet when it is creased or folded, you can often hear the cracks and popping noises made by breaking warp and weft fibers.

DOG CHEWS:
Puppies tend to chew rugs because of tooth growth. The best way to prevent chew damage is to control the puppy by keeping it away from the rug. Sometimes sprinkling an ounce of moth flakes under the rug along the edges will help the dog keep his distance from the rug.

CHEMICAL DAMAGE:
An old trick of some rug cleaners is to bleach the cotton fringe of a rug snowy white before returning the rug to the customer (on the theory that if the fringe looks nice and clean, the whole rug looks cleaner). Unfortunately, chlorine based bleach weakens natural fiber over time, causing "dead fringe"--fringe so weakened by repeated bleachings that a tug can make the fringes fall to bits. If you must have snowy white fringe, use a dilute bleach solution, and be sure to rinse the fringe very thoroughly.

MOTHS:
Moths can cause extensive damage to Oriental rugs, however, a carpet in use is rarely in danger from moths. Frequent rotation and regular exposure to light and air keeps moths at bay. Not only do moths eat the pile, but they can also eat the knots on the back of a rug. Moths are especially attracted to areas under furniture that remain relatively undisturbed. It is quite simple to eliminate these pests and safeguard against their return by spraying the front and back of a carpet every six months with moth spray. Flying clothes moths do not eat your rugs, but the females do lay hundreds of eggs each, and the eggs hatch into larvae that consume wool, fur, feather, and silk fibers. Moths and their larvae thrive in dark, undisturbed areas where a rug gets little traffic and is not often vacuumed. A bad infestation sometimes leaves a cobweb-like veil in the area of the damage, along with fine, sand-like debris. An infestation often involves more than one rug, and can spread to (or from) woolens or furs hanging in a closet or sweaters stored in a drawer. A rug damaged by moths is not difficult to repair, but reweaving a large area of the rug can be expensive. To identify the presence of moths, look for one or more of these signs: flying moths -- the common clothing moth (tineola biosatellite) is the villain. It's small, 3/8" long or less, and is usually silvery tan or soft brown in color. This moth flies slowly but with a rapid flutter of small wings. If you try to snatch one out of the air, the clothes moth folds its wings and drops to the floor.

bare spots in the pile -- often moth larvae will prefer the taste of one color yarn over another, and so the bare spots may involve some specific colors but not others.

webs -- white gossamer filaments covering a patch of the rug's pile (often only present with a bad infestation).

cocoons -- 1/8" diameter x 1/2" long slightly fuzzy cylinders usually the same color as the rug's pile (larvae camouflage their cocoons to blend in with the color of the wool that surrounds them).

larvae in the pile -- slender, white, worm-like moth larvae about 3/8" long can sometimes be seen just after hatching, before they've constructed cocoons. It is the larvae that actually eat the wool.

sand-like particles down in the pile of the rug -- this material, often tan or brown in color, regular in size, and granular in look, is the excretion of the larvae.

broken/loose plies -- where the larvae have chewed through yarn overcastings or bindings.

To prevent moth damage: Vacuum the entire face of the rug weekly if possible. At least several times a year, vacuum the back side of the rug and the pad and floor underneath. If the rug is too large to handle, flip the edges over, and vacuum at least one to two feet in along the borders on the back side of the rug. The corresponding areas on the pad and floor should also be vacuumed.

Be aware that moth balls, flakes, or crystals (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) are ineffective in moth control for rugs. These materials act only as a minor repellent to moths. They do not kill moth larvae, and the naphthalene odor can be unpleasant and difficult to remove from the rug. Cedar scent is useless as a prevention for moth damage.

Any place the vacuum cannot reach, such as areas of the rug under furniture, or a rug hung on the wall, can be sprayed with a household, non-staining insecticide made for the purpose. Most of these products contain pyrethrins (a class of insecticide originally extracted from the flower heads of chrysanthemums) among the active ingredients. Although poisonous to many varieties of insects, pyrethrins break down quickly after application and are considered safe for use in the home. BE CAREFUL IN CHOOSING AND APPLYING ANY INSECTICIDE. Choose a

product designed for the intended use and follow directions for application, storage, and disposal carefully.

CARPET BEETLE DAMAGE:
Similar in appearance to moth damage, but caused by the larvae of a small (1/8" long), dark brown or brown-black insect. Beetle larvae damage is usually not as severe, nor as messy as moth damage. Strategies to prevent or treat moth damage will be effective against carpet beetles as well.

SUN DAMAGE:
Most rug dyes are quite resistant to sun fading or bleaching. Still, ultraviolet rays are a powerful force of Nature, and a rug will likely fade over time if used for years in a very sunny area. Consider sheer drapes to block some of the direct sunlight, and try to turn the rug end-for-end once a year to even out possible color changes, to safeguard your investment.

CAT SCRATCHINGS:
Cats which are not de clawed can do significant damage to a rug if they habitually sharpen their claws on it. As with dog chews, the best prevention is to control the cat's activities. Sometimes a squirt gun (squirt the cat when it starts to scratch the rug) can be used to condition the cat to avoid the rug.

TO MOVE A RUG:
When you move a big rug to adjust its position, there is a better way than just to pull with brute force on the fringe or edge. A simple trick is to rapidly wave the edge of the rug up and down a foot or two close to the floor while pulling. This ripple effect sends a cushion of air under the rug, making it very easy to move.

TO LAY A RUG FLAT:
If a rug has been folded for shipping, there may be wrinkles or creases when you lay it down. To flatten them out, first determine which way the nap lays (rub your hand across the pile in the direction of the fringe: the pile will feel smooth one way and will roughen up when rubbed in the opposite direction). Stand at the end of the rug with the nap running toward you. Roll the rug up from this end as tight as you can, then slowly unroll and smooth it down along the way. Persistent wrinkles in the same spot can be pressed from the face of the rug using a steam iron on "wool" setting (be sure to iron the pile in its original direction). Persistent wrinkles should be attended to, as premature wear along the ridges made by the wrinkles can result.

CURLED CORNERS AND CURLED EDGES:
Because of the way it is woven, a rug may have corners and/or edges that tend to curl under. Straighten them out when you lay the rug down. If the edges curl badly, the rug may need the attention of a good rug repair person. Using a rug with badly curled-under edges or corners causes unnatural wear patterns that can damage the rug and be difficult to repair properly. Try to dampen the curled surface and overturing the curled surface under weight for at least 24 hrs, to straighten out curled edges.

SIZING OR BLOCKING A RUG:
When a rug is out of square or has built-in wrinkles, sizing or blocking may help. A rug is sized by turning it over, making it as square and flat as possible, and fastening it down along the edges (we use a staple hammer). A mixture of sizing and water is sprinkled over the back of the rug, and the rug is allowed to dry. The moisture in the sizing helps equalize tension in the foundation of the rug, and the sizing helps the rug hold its square, flat shape. Note that even a good quality rug is rarely perfectly rectilinear. When blocking a rug the choice is sometimes between getting it flat or making it square--from the standpoint of what's good for the rug, it is almost always better to make the rug flat than to make it perfectly rectilinear. Used with care and when appropriate, sizing makes a rug more attractive and usable. Used incorrectly, blocking can distort or even damage a rug. Over-aggressive blocking will not remedy the problems of a badly crooked or poorly woven rug. Don't try this at home! Sizing is definitely a process best handled by an experienced dealer or rug repair person.

Summary

You should vacuum your rug often--both front and back sides, and turn it end-for-end once in a while. Although many kinds of damage can be repaired, prevention is much easier (and cheaper) than repair, so avoid placing potted plants on the rug, and keep an eye on your pets. Inspect the entire rug periodically for signs of wear or damage. Have your rug cleaned only when it really is dirty. When you see something wrong with your rug that is beyond your ability to rectify, don't hesitate to call a reputable Oriental rug dealer for advice. With just a bit of care your Oriental rug will provide many years of utility and pride of ownership.

Premium Rugs, Inc. specifically disclaims any and all liability from the use of the above methods. The recipient of this brochure acknowledges full responsibility for any and all damages or problems caused by the use of the above methods.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

An Oriental rug is a purchase for a lifetime and when properly maintained will last for generations. Oriental rugs are very easy to maintain. A little simple care will go a long way in ensuring the life of the rug.

The best way to keep a rug clean is to keep it from getting dirty in the first place. Removing outdoor shoes when entering the house (as people do in most rug-weaving countries) is a good idea if this accords with your lifestyle. Bare-foot or sock-foot traffic is much gentler to a rug than a hard outdoor-shoe sole (or spike heel), and leaving your outdoor shoes at the entrance to the house tracks in much less dirt. Have your rug cleaned only when it really needs it. For rugs in some areas this will mean a yearly cleaning. Rugs in other areas can go several years and more without needing professional cleaning.

To judge how dirty a rug is, try one of these methods:
1. Pick up a corner of the rug and while holding it, kick the back of the rug sharply. If a cloud of dirt flies out of the pile, the rug is dirty and needs cleaning. NOTE: some dust and wool fibers is normal!
2. Kneel down on the rug and rub the pile vigorously with your hand in a short arc for 5 to 10 seconds. Look at your fingers and palm: if your hand is dirty, the rug needs cleaning.
3. With the pile facing UP fold part of the rug back upon itself so that the pile opens along a line of knots. Look down into the base of the pile at the foundation of the rug. If the warp and weft looks dirty, there is dirt deep in the pile where a home vacuum cleaner cannot reach it. The rug needs cleaning.

Rugs that are heavily soiled should be washed with soap and lots of water. This work is best left to the professional rug cleaner who will pick up the rug from your home and return it once it has been cleaned. As most rugs are made of wool, they do tend to wash well. While it is possible to steam clean the rug in your home, this is not the best way as the process will leave a lot of soap residue behind and the rug will soon loose it's luster and will tend to attract dirt. We also do not recommend dry cleaning an Oriental rug.

TIPS FOR CLEANING UP SPILLS
1. Act immediately to prevent virtually any spill from becoming a stain. You can stop further penetration of the spill, and stop its chemical reaction with the rug's fibers and dyes.
2. Blot; don't rub. The best way to blot any kind of spill is to scoop it up with a spoon. Scrape off any solids.Squeeze down in the direction of the nap to get as much as possible out. Using a clean towel, blot up as much moisture as possible. Blot or brush lightly from the outer edge toward the center of the stain.. Rubbing will spread the stain.
3. Do not soak. Work from the outer edge to the center.
4. Pat dry with paper towels.
5. Dry with fan or hair drier.
6. Brush to restore pile.

If you know the nature of the stain, follow the instructions in the chart below.

To prevent spreading the stain or causing a ring when using the cleaning solvents, always blot or brush lightly from the outer edge towards the center of the stain (especially for pile carpets).

SPOTTING GUIDE:
The following three solutions will be required together with a dry cleaning solvent and some white absorbent cloth or tissue.

1. Detergent Solution: One teaspoonful of neutral detergent such as "Woolite" to 1/2 pint (1/4 litre) of warm water.
2. Detergent or Vinegar Solution: Add one teaspoonful of white Vinegar to the Detergent Solution.
3. Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon of household ammonia to one cup of warm water.

Alochol/Wines: Blot up the suject spillage. Use Detergent or Vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge, using little at a time and blotting with dry cloths frequently.

Blood: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Chewing Gum: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Following with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Chocolate: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Coffee: Blot up the surplus spillage. Use Detergent or Vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.

Egg: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edege and blotting dry. Following with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Fats: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Fruit: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Glue: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent Solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Following with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Grass: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent Solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Gravy: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Grease: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Ice Cream: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Lipstick: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Liquid Foods: Blot up the surplus spillage. Use Detergent or Vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.

Milk: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Nail Polish: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Oil: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Perfume: Blot up with the surplus spillage. Use Detergent or Vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, usling little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.

Shoe Polish: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Dry Cleanining Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Soft Drinks: Scrape up excess with a blunt knife. Use Detergent solution, starting at the outer edge and blotting dry. Follow with Ammonia solution. Blot dry.

Solids: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Tar: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Tea: Blot up the surplus spillage. Use Detergent or Vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.

Urine: Blot up the surplus spillage.Use Detergent or Vinegar solution. Work from the outer edge of the stain, using little at a time and blotting up with dry cloths frequently.

Vomit: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Wax: Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use Dry Cleaning Solvent followed by Detergent or Vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Animal stains . These accidents should be dealt with as fast as possible. Soak up liquids and remove solids. The area should be treated with a light alkaline solution such as club soda to remove the acidity that discolors the wool. It is also a good idea to use a deodorant type spray to discourage a repeat performance!

Pet urine: Of the most common spills, urine presents the most severe problem. It can cause severe color run in the rug, and the odor can be very hard to remove or disguise. Urine can also chemically damage the structure of a rug by making the foundation hard and less supple. Repeated wettings can cause the foundation of the rug to loose mechanical strength to the point where the rug cracks and breaks when rolled or folded.

In case of urine on a rug, the problem is much more easily handled if the spot is treated promptly, before the spill is allowed to dry. Blot up as much liquid as possible with paper towels or a clean, white cloth. Try to rinse out as much of the spill as possible.

A smaller rug can be taken outside and rinsed with a hose and cool water (try not to saturate the whole rug--it will take much longer to dry if you do). With a larger carpet, the corner or edge can be laid in a plastic dishpan and saturated with cool water or a bucket or plastic garbage can can be placed under the wet area of the carpet and cool water poured through the rug (make a hollow in the carpet over the container before you pour, and don't exceed the capacity of the container under the rug!). Add about 1 cup of white vinegar per gallon to the rinse water--vinegar helps prevent colors from running and will help neutralize the urine odor.

After the rug has been rinsed, blot dry and sponge with rug shampoo or with the solution given below. Let dry thoroughly (drying a wet area of a larger carpet can be hastened by arranging the carpet so that air can circulate both top and bottom--drape the end of the carpet across a lawn chair, or put a sawhorse or painted bench under the rug in the area of the wet spot).

Pet stool, regurgitation: If a pet regurgitates on a rug, you are faced with removing a complex mixture of foodstuffs, saliva, and stomach acids. Depending on the foods involved, this mixture can actually work as a dilute dye to stain the pile a different hue. If a pet regurgitates or defecates on a rug, clean the area immediately by picking up as much material as possible with paper towels or with a clean, white cloth. If necessary, use a tablespoon to scrape up all the foreign material. Blot the area dry and immediately sponge several times with rug shampoo or with the cleaning solution listed below. Don't scrub hard--too much manipulation of the pile may make the stain worse. Sponge in the direction of the nap. Mud :should be allowed to dry and then brush it off with a stiff brush or use the vacuum cleaner.