The skill of purchasing a fine handmade rug

High on the list of any holiday shopping list has to be a hand knotted oriental rug, but knowledge is power and knowing what to look out for will help you not to be ripped off.

We all like to bag a bargain and especially when we are on our travels but there are many pitfalls for the unsuspecting tourist.  Bagging a good carpet is not easy and far too many travellers find out the hard way that instead of returning home with a piece of magic, they have been ripped off.

Where to buy it

The former Persia (today known as Iran) remains the most fruitful and varied source of rugs in the world, as well as producing the finest examples of this art form.

This does not mean that carpets from India, Turkey, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Morocco, the Caucasus or Romania are inferior.

They do not, however, all make for an easy shopping trip (it is safe to say Afghanistan will be on the itinerary of only those most seriously obsessed with rug buying) and the bulk of travellers who buy a rug will do so while holidaying in more popular destinations.

In such cases, the first rule is to avoid carpet boutiques in the big cities; leave them and instead head for the source.

What to look for

'Knowledge is power,' but many amateur rug buyers fall foul of the initial hurdle and end up with a rug of far inferior quality or in some cases rugs that was made by machine. It is also important to know the size of rug you want  it can be a real damper on a good spirit if you get back home and the rug is way too big or way too small for the room.  Pay close attention to the following three factors and you are less likely to be led astray.

The knot count

An oriental, or 'exotic', carpet, rug or prayer mat means one of natural fibres that has been hand-knotted or hand-woven on a loom. You will find much truth underneath the carpet: turn it over, in the dealer's shop and look at the reverse. The knots on a machine-made carpet will be very uniform. Knot count is often the first factor that determine the rug’s quality, and while it is not foolproof - some valuable contemporary designs are very coarsely knotted - a good rule of thumb with traditional rugs, at least, is to look for upwards of 120 knots a square inch.

The fibre

Discovering your 'silk' carpet is actually cotton. The guidebooks often suggest the 'burn' test not only to ascertain the fibre but also, hopefully, to trick the dealer into believing you are more of an expert in rugs.

The colour

While artificial dyes are no reason not to set foot on a carpet, they can never match the earthy evocation of their natural alternatives: among them cochineal red, from the crushed, dried insects, blue from the indigo plant, henna orange, hollyhock purple, pomegranate yellow and gallnut black. Natural dyes normally appears bright and rich in colour as a bunch of flowers. There shouldn't be any one colour that stand out way more than others.’  Another way is to bend the carpet as to expose individual threads from the bottom of the rug. Looking deep down in the pile will show a slight variance in the tones. 

How to haggle

Do not but too soon and do not leave it until the last minute. Shop around and keep track of where you have seen what you like. Building a relationship will help in the negotiation process later. We belief negotiation should be a win-win situation. Take care though as the seller will make out as if he loses much sooner than he really do. ALWAYS|S make an offer and do not pay the asking price. In many countries where rugs are produced it is their culture to haggle or negotiate on the price. The starting price / selling price will allow for that. In some cases the seller will feel offended if you do not make him an offer and only pay the asking price

How to make the most of your rug

What is the best way to care for your newly acquired masterpiece. Here are a few things to look out for to help your rug last as long as possible:

- Keep rugs out of direct sunlight  Bright colours can easily fade  especially reds and browns
- Turn your rug every few months to allow for even wear and exposure to light
- Use rug pad or underlay  - Read our other blog post on “benefit of rug underlay”
- Have fabric protector applied by a rug cleaning firm. This small investment will greatly reduce the chance of permanent staining
- Get your rug taken away for a through deep wash or clean every 12 -18 months by a professional rug cleaning firm. 
- Do not allow ordinary carpet cleaners touch your rugs

If you need any help, just give us a call on 01223 863 632.

Source: http://artofcleanuk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/the-skill-of-purchasing-fine-hand-made.html

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Behind the scenes in the rug cleaning business

Every now and then we take you behind the scenes. Today we show you our Gavin and his handy work. The other day we received our brand, spanking new, Cimex Cyclone Cleaner. Now, few of you will be familiar with Cimex, but for us in the rug and carpet cleaning trade, it was Christmas come early.

The three-head system allows for less slippage when cleaning and greater operational control. The Cimex website goes into more detail and before you've finished reading their site, you'll think Art of Clean bought a Ferrari, but in a way, we did. We bought a top-of-the-line rotary machine that cleans right down the the depths of your rug, loosening the in-grained dirt via a very gentle massage..and who doesn't want that?

Once cleaned, Gavin has to brush off the excess water and then roll and place your prized carpet or rug into our centrifugal spinner to remove the moisture. This is the most efficient and safest way to ensure your rug leaves the premises in the best condition it can.

Gavin then wraps the rug in plastic and it's ready to come home.

Art of Clean makes it a habit, ne, an addiction, to invest in the most up-to-date training methods (we recently completed the IICRC classes) and technology. We are constantly striving to do a better job and with this new Cimex system in place, we feel sure you'll see the benefits swiftly.

If you live in Cambridge (UK) or any of the surrounding villages (Ely, St Ives, Huntingdon, Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Histon, Milton, and on and on...) and you have a special rug that needs a thorough deep cleaning and a caring hand, please allow us the opportunity to restore your fine rug.

Have you ever washed your clothes and the washing machine breaks down just before the spin cycle? Then you hang-up your dripping wet clothes to dry and then, when they finally are, they're just not the same? Not so fresh? They might even have that mouldy smell?

I guess the same principle applies to your fine rug. 

It's always best to call the professionals.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

The Dustiest Rug you have EVER seen!

Over the years you're likely to notice subtle changes in your carpets and rugs. Maybe it's the light, you think, or maybe the dog fur's built up a little too much you say, whatever it is, that prized rug has taken a turn to the dark-side, or at least the dull-side.

That's when you call Art of Clean, because no matter how furry, dusty, damp, dirty or just plain mucky it has become, Art of Clean feel confident they can get that scruff off your rug.

That being said, every now and then we find a winner for the Dustiest Rug Ever Competition.

NOTE: This is not a real competition and no prizes will be awarded. Sorry.

As you can see, this is a red rug. It's detailed and in generally good nick, except for the excessive build-up of grey gruff.

Somewhere in the office we have one of those old rug beating sticks, the kind the housewives of yesteryear would use to beat their rugs to within an inch of their lives, and on occasion, their husbands too. Nowadays we just pick it up by the scruff of it's neck and shake it until it comes clean...or cleaner at least.

Watch this video to see Pierre man-handling some life back into this piece.

Remember: without care and attention, that delicate rug is likely to edge towards the point where no cleaner, no matter how well trained can bring it back from the brink. For what we call 'High Traffic' rugs (trampled on in the hallway and entrance to your home) a cleaning every couple of years is what we recommend and of course, the occasional vacuum.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Carpet Stains removed by Ben

Rugs and carpets are our bread and butter and it's our job to remove those butter stains from all manner of fluffy, household items; upholstery included.

Carpets are possibly the most wear-inducing item you will even own. They're thankfully built to last, but that doesn't mean they're impervious to damage and devastation. Over the years, even the hardiest of shag, wool or man-made carpet will show the signs of being on it's last legs. That is, unless you protect and care for it.

Trainers, in from the wet, spilled wine, jam, even blood, these are all stains that we can and will be happy to remove from your carpet, because, let's be honest, carpets aren't cheap (well, some are, but they won't last) and don't you want your money to stretch the test of time?

Not so very long ago, we employed a strapping young lad named Ben. Now, Ben (regular readers will know) has been getting his head down and really showing the team what he can do. His dedication and willingness to learn have been evident and the proof is in the pudding or rather the pudding is out of the carpet, in this case. This particular home belongs to a nice young couple with equally young children and when there's kids, there's mess. Only a year and a half in "This is what can happen when you have young children and a husband who doesn't take his shoes off in the house" was the answer when Ben asked what had caused the food and drink stains, along with colouring pens and general dirt.

Light coloured carpets and rugs are always prone to staining and their tones always reveal the tarnish. You're welcome to try cleaning your carpet yourself of course and if you care to, we have articles on our sister-blog (Housekeeping101) and within this one that will help you in your efforts, but...if you don't have the time, the interest or your other half is simply unwilling, call us, well pop along, assess the situation and give you a realistic, honest appraisal. You won't be sorry, or your money back.

Here's a video we made earlier, expounding the value of a professional carpet cleaning. 

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Peacocks and other rugs

It's called "Peacocking"; dressing for attention.

Male peacocks flutter their rather lovely feathers in an effort to attractive the female of the species. Now, what in the world does this have to do with rugs? I here you ask.

Nothing at all, but here's a rather lovely one by The Rug Company.

Brought in for a spot of cleaning, this is one of the more striking rugs we've had the pleasure of dealing with, and it goes to show that not every rug needs to be traditional. The feathers or rain drops, however you see it, blot colour everywhere and draw the eye, keeping this rug interesting, long past it's purchase date.

This one is not so much for walking on as it is for hanging, but there you have another use for rugs: art. Tapestries have been giving people pleasure for centuries. A prime example of a wonderful piece is at the Victoria and Albert Museum - London.

Found on 1lifeinspired.tumblr.com

John Lewis currently have a range of interesting designs to decorate your floor, something different to make a centre piece and a conversation starter.

And here's one we found just to boggle your mind from Sacramento Airport, USA.

Found on trendhunter.com

Rug cleaning brings with it countless confounding conundrums. Staining is obviously the largest bug bear for any rug or carpet owner. Whether it's your children dripping their Ribena on the new beige carpet, your thoughtless other half traipsing in muddied feet after begrudgingly mowing the lawn (because you've been asking him since the start of Summer and it's September now), or your elderly pet loosing a little urine, it's all stains at the end of the day. 

It all means it needs a clean!  

It all means, call the professionals. 

Art of Clean have been spot fixing, blotting, scrubbing, washing, dabbing and daubing stains for over ten years now and show no signs of stopping.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

A cleaner calls

So, it's late at night. Maybe the dog's bumped into you on the way up the stairs to jump on your bed and steal your spot next to your Hubby? Maybe the sleep deprivation from having a three week old, screaming infant has left you slightly wobbly. Or, maybe you're just clumsy. Whatever it is, you've spilt that cuppa, dropped that toast with jam face down or the dog simply ran past with autumn muddied paws. Whatever it is, now there's a stain on your carpeted stairs.

The next morning you awaken, slightly less tired, dog still in place, baby (fingers crossed) asleep and you stagger down to get a coffee...and that's when you see it! The stain from the night before. You're a hop, skip and a jump from fully erupting and then you remember, that leaflet somebody put through your door. It was pink and said something about cleaning.

That's it!

Rummaging through your rubble drawer you find it. It's even got a picture of a handsome young man on it and promises 100% satisfaction. Can't argue with that.

You pick up the phone and dial, while stirring your mug and adding your third sweetener.

Jump to a few days later and low and behold, that same handsome young man (his name's Ben) knocks politely on the door and sets to work.  

"Can you get the stain out?" you ask.

Turning with a kind smile and a slightly mischievous glint he replies, "I'll do my absolute best".

And that's what you get with Art of Clean. A professional, likeable service that delivers on it's promises.

Call the professionals.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Silk or not silk, that is the question

Silk rugs are often the most intricately made and valuable rugs of all the hand knotted rugs available. Their quality is beyond compare and with the strength the silk provides, these rugs show clearer patterns that any other.

Found on tableaurug.com

But have you ever thought about where your silk comes from?

Found on our-compass.org

Here at Art of Clean we like to think about the origin of our rugs, to understand them is to love them. Silk worms or to give them their Latin name - Bombyx Mori, have been bred for the production of silk in China for over 5000 years.  

As the legend goes, the Chinese Empress Lei Zu was one day drinking tea under a tree. As you do. When a cocoon fell into her cup. I imagine, after feeling most surprised and annoying, she fished our the pod and began to unravel it around her finger and that is when she realised that the caterpillar larva was the source. Over the centuries various people tried to steal the secret to silk production, to the point that it is now manufactured around the world.

But it's not only Chinese worm bums that provide the treasured silk, you can, in fact, find it in the solidified larva of a large clam, just off the coast of the Sardinian island of Sant'Antioco.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33691781

When cleaning rugs, Art of Clean are very aware that sometimes, silk just ain't silk. Every once in a while a client has bought a, yes, beautiful rug, but the silk to rug ratio is sadly far below the quota to define it as silk. It can be disappointing, but a beautiful rug is always beautiful, no matter where it comes from.

Watch this short video and he will explain what to look for to check for yourself.

When in doubt, always call the professionals.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk