Job completed for Lanesborough Chinese Rug Cleaning

Completion date: January 6, 2026

Location: Lanesborough, MA

Why did the customer contact us?

This is a classic circa 1900 Art Deco rug. The rug has influences from French
colors and Chinese Ming Dynasty design. The Art Decoratifs period was a short
period of time and therefore had a great deal of influence from a multitide of
cultures and countries. This rug has royal colors such as purple and French
blue vegetable dyes that come from indigo and lavender. Jafri Oriental Rugs
has restored many art deco rugs and the first and second image shows this
required a great deal of attention to the following areas of the rug:

-The frame of the rug is completely destroyed, requiring binding around all
four sides of the rug

-The backing of the rug is completely destroyed and requires a new backing to
be added

-Torn areas in the field requiring reweaving in the worn areas

The first picture shows the rug torn around the field and the frame of the rug
chopped up requiring new binding

The second picture shows the post restoration work which included: Adding
binding around all four sides of the rug, adding a new backing to the rug,
reweaving the rug in the field

Solutions provided:

Jafri Oriental Rugs has serviced Warren County for over 45 years

The third image shows the rug completely restored

Jafri Rug Restoration fixed this rug by applying its professional
museum-quality antique rug cleaning process
step-by-step:

1. Inspection & Documentation

A specialist first examines the rug to determine:

• Age, origin, weave style


• Fiber type (wool, silk, cotton foundation, etc.)


• Dye stability (natural vegetable dyes vs synthetic dyes)


• 
  Fragile areas: worn patches, dry rot, loose fringe, holes, moth damage
  


• Previous repairs or color touch-ups

Why it matters: Antique rugs often have unstable dyes and
delicate foundations. The cleaning process is tailored based on fabric, type
of dye used, age of rug

2. Dry Soil Removal (Dusting)

This is one of the most important steps.

• Gentle vibrating dusting machines


• Air dusting / compressed air

This removes the following:

• Packed dust


• Sand/grit


• Allergens


• Moth larvae and eggs

Why it matters: Up to 70% of soil in antique rugs is dry
particulate that tears fibers if washed without dusting.

3. Colorfastness Testing

Before any washing:

• 
  Each dye color (reds, blues, greens, blacks) is tested with water and mild
  detergent.
  


• 
  If dyes are unstable, cleaners apply dye stabilizers or
  choose a dry-cleaning or low-moisture method.
  

Why it matters: Natural dyes can bleed or fade; this prevents
damage.

4. Specialty Hand Wash (Traditional Bath)

Most high-end cleaners wash antique rugs by hand, never by
machine.

Steps:

1. Rug is submerged in a cool-water wash pit.


2. 
   Olive oil wool-safe shampoo from Italy is gently applied; no harsh chemicals
   are used as they can cause color bleeding.
   


3. Both sides of the rug are cleaned using soft brushes or hand tools.


4. Water is circulated to remove embedded dirt.

5. Rinse & Water Extraction

• Thorough rinsing removes soap residue that can attract dirt later.


• Water extraction is done by rolling, squeegeeing, or suction tools.


• No high-heat drying (which can shrink wool or warp foundations).

6. Controlled Drying

Antique rugs are dried:

• In climate-controlled rooms with proper airflow

Drying can take 24-48+ hours depending on the rug's age and thickness.

7. Grooming & Fringe Care

After cleaning:

• 
  Rug pile is brushed in its natural direction, following the grain and fibers
  of the rug
  


• Fringe is hand-cleaned and straightened with a comb

8. Repairs or Restoration

• Reweaving worn areas


• Edge/selvage reinforcement


• Fringe repair or replacement


• Moth damage treatment


• 
  Color restoration using original dye techniques and New Zealand worsted wool
  to return the rug to its original condition
  

9. Final Inspection

The rug is checked for:

• Even pile direction


• Clean fringe


• No soap residue


• No odor


• Proper color stability


• Smooth, flat drying

Why Antique Rugs Need Special Care?

Antique rugs are different because:

• Natural vegetable dyes can bleed


• Wool fibers become brittle with age


• Cotton foundations shrink easily


• Hand-knotted structure can loosen


• Value (sometimes thousands of dollars) depends on condition