 | When looking at a
rug open it fully and lay it flat on the floor. It may have creases if
it has been folded for a long period of time, these are temporary. |
| Look at both sides
to ensure that there are no serious flaws and that the edges are parallel,
straight and square at the corners. The corners should also not curl. |
| Look at the variance
lengthwise and widthwise. Any variance, except on purpose, is a
serious flaw. |
| Look at the
thickness of the weave and ensure that it is the same throughout the whole
rug. Quality weaving can be course or fine, as long as it is constant
throughout the whole rug. |
| Inspect the rug to
ensure that the warp does not show through. If they do something went
wrong with the weave. |
| No rug will be
perfect, slight imperfections or personal flourishes are acceptable as long
as they do not hurt the structural integrity of the rug or take away from
the overall product. |
| Look at the colors
of the rug. They should be uniform, especially within the design
elements. Variations in hue come from careless dyeing and carding. |
| Feel the tightness
and consistency of the weave. |
| If you can't tell
which end was the beginning or which end was the completion it is a quality
rug. |
| When displaying rug
on floor avoid high traffic areas. |
| Never wash in washer
with soap or detergent and water. Hand washing with soap and cold
water may work but it is recommended to test first to ensure that the dyes
will not run. Improper washing can ruin a rug. Many dry cleaners
can clean it as well as treat it with lanolin restoration and mothproofing. |
| Avoid areas with
high heat and high humidity. A temperature around 70 degrees is
recommended. |
| Never try to shake
out dirt. The whipping of the rug may break the rug fibers and loosen
the corner knots. |
| Vacuum the rug if it
is displayed on the floor to remove the dirt. |
| Keep rugs away from
heat or air-conditioning ducts and away from direct sunlight. |
| Moths may be a
problem, some recommend treating with a moth repellant twice a year.
You can also expose your rug in the spring and fall to a few hours of
sunlight. |
| Do not store your
rug with moth balls, this may affect the dyes used in the rug. |
