Oriental rugs are handcrafted rugs woven in the Middle East and the Orient - mostly regions extending from China in the east, to Turkey in the west and the Caucasus in the north, to India in the south. Authentic oriental rugs are knotted with pile or woven without pile and exclusively handwoven, which makes them unique and more exquisite, precious, and expensive than the other types of rugs. Some of the most popular and best oriental rugs include the Turkish, Caucasian, Turkoman, Afshan, Donkeybags, Prayer Rugs and Kilims rugs.
Short History:
The earliest known oriental pile rugs were those found in a Scythian burial site in Outer Mongolia dating back to the fifth century B.C. The second millennium B.C in Egypt and Central Asia had already seen the evolution of the art of rug weaving so by the fifth century B.C., rug weaving had become a fairly well-developed art. When the Silk Route came into being in the 17th century during the Safavid reign in Central Asia, oriental rugs started gaining immense popularity and Europe began to import them in large quantities. The rug making art and industry in the Orient also became a lucrative, highly skilled occupation. By the mid 19th century, not only the rich but the middle class citizens of Europe also began to value and afford these exquisite handwoven rugs.
Knots and Oriental Rug Weaving:
Oriental Rugs are handwoven on looms. The pattern of the rug is created by the knot (pile). Pile knots are of two types - symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetrical knots can be tied in such a way to give the pile a left or right inclination. Knot density is measured by counting the knots vertically and horizontally within the given area along the back of the rug. The size of warp (foundation threads wrapped around the loom), warp depression, weft (thread inserted along the width of the loom) and pile threads all determine the knot density. A cartoon (preliminary sketch similar in size to the work) may be created as a guide before weaving.
The loose warp threads along the ends are knotted, woven or braided into the fringe after the weaving. The Selvage is the edge formed after a single terminal warp or a cord made of various terminal warps is wrapped with the weft threads. The side cord may also be added only after the rug has been woven and removed from the loom, and a single cord is sewn on to the side of the rug. To create a rounded finish, an overcast (warps wrapped with a separate thread in circular fashion) may be used.
Type of Materials used for Weaving Oriental Rugs:
Wool, cotton, silk and rayon are commonly used in weaving oriental rugs. Wool and Silk are generally used in the pile. Wool is the most common fiber in the Oriental rug weaving industry and silk is the most expensive. Silk, which is also the most resilient, is used for creating the most elaborate and intricately knotted rugs because of the possibility of creating unique and exquisite texture unmatched by any other. Cotton is mostly used for weft and warp. Rugs made from rayon are cheaper and less durable though they almost resemble silk.
We have learned to clean and polishing the floors. We need to also look at the rugs and carpets. Find some tips on to clean the rugs and carpets in this article. What kind of cleaner or shampoo that I have to use for the rugs and carpets? Find the tips to help you do better with your rugs and carpets.
Now, presumably, we have the floors finished and looking spic and span. What about the rugs and carpets? No matter what material they are made of or how much they cost, they will look faded and dull if they are not kept fresh and clean.
DAILY CARE is the same for all types. A quick brush-up with a carpet sweeper, especially in areas of heavy traffic, will remove dust, dirt, ashes, and crumbs, and fluffs up the nap so that it is kept soft and attractive. Dirt found on rugs includes sharp-edged particles of grit which rub against the fibers and weaken them. Modern carpet sweepers remove with efficiency most of this dirt before it is ground into the rug.
AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK rugs and carpets should be thoroughly vacuumed. This will take care of most of the dirt particles mat the sweeper has missed and will fluff up the pile. A thorough cleaning with a vacuum cleaner means at least seven strokes over every foot of the surface.
AT LONGER INTERVALS a rug requires additional beauty treatment. It needs to be shampooed to remove the grime that adheres to the fibers making the colors look gray, and the cutting particles of embedded grit not reached by a vacuum cleaner. Surveys show that carpets last much longer if they are shampooed every three months. In the past this was practically impossible because of the expense and inconvenience of sending them to a professional cleaner, for the alternative was a hands-and-knees affair with rug shampoo and a hand brush. Most carpets went gray as the task was postponed from month to month, and became worn-looking before their time due to cutting ground-in dirt.
A NEW TYPE OF CLEANER makes it possible today for rugs and carpets to be shampooed frequently with little more trouble than carpet sweeping involves. Long handled applicators of the roller brush type (the best), are equipped with built-in dispensers for a liquid shampoo. Fingertip action spreads the cleaner as a foam over the rug (which of course has been vacuumed first) and as it dries, solidified dirt rises to the surface and stains are loosened. After the rug has dried thoroughly usually from three to four hours but sometimes overnight this dirt is simply vacuumed away, leaving the nap clean and fluffy and the colors bright.
LIQUID SHAMPOOS for rugs do a better, more thorough deep cleaning job than the dry types, which are difficult to remove after cleaning. In applying them the best method is to criss-cross your strokes, using light foam to avoid soaking the carpet through to the mat. The directions you receive with your applicator will tell you how to operate it so that too much foam is avoided, and it will provide detailed information on other points. This includes a warning to slip waxed paper discs under the legs of chairs and tables, to be left on the carpet while it is damp, to avoid stains from slides and castors. If the rug or carpet must be walked on before it has dried completely, make a pathway for traffic by spreading uncolored wrapping paper on the floor. Another precaution is not to get the rug too wet. The shampoo won't hurt the carpet but it is uneconomical to use more than you need and more time will be required for drying.
Rug and carpets also needs daily care, as the dust and dirt will make them look gray and old. Vacuum the rugs and carpets at least once a week. Get your rugs and carpets washed once in three months, your carpets will last much longer. There are shampoo and cleaner for rugs and carpets. Try not to get the rug or carpet too wet, as it will take more time for drying.
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