The first image shows how this French Aubusson rug has been left in a very poor condition. The rug is an example of an mid-century French Aubusson rug. This rug is made with sage and rose vegetable dyes and unfortunately was never cleaned or repaired throughout its life and requires enormous attention to the following areas:

-Reweaving worn areas where warp and weft is showing

-Refringing as the fringe is torn off

-Rebinding as the binding is unraveling

-Vegetable dyes are fading

-Field of the rug is also showing unevenness in the wool pile

The second image shows the full restoration process where Jafri Rug restoration fully repaired this rug to its original condition while maintaining the antiquity of the rug by doing the following:

-Reweaving all worn areas to bring back this rug's dye lots are amazing and look vibrant

- Brush the rug with oil and dye in areas where the wool was not worn and distressed

-Matching the wool so that it blends perfectly within the field of the rug

Following the preservation process the rug is also more valuable than in its original condition

This Yazd Kerman is an antique turn of the century Persian masterpiece rug. Jafri Oriental Rugs has serviced Dutchess County for over 45 years and is an authority on not only the history of the rug but the most proper way to repair it. The rug is incredibly valuable and is a palace size rug measuing 11'.6"x16'.2". The was produced in the town of Yazd, near Kerman, Iran. The first image shows the rug completely worn requiring the following work:

-Warp and weft coming thru the rug, and various holes throughout the field requiring reweaving and color restoration work where Jafri Rug restoration weavers match the wool dyes lots and reweave into the floral motifs of the rug.

-Fringe completely fraying requiring fringe implant, circa 1900 tea stained fringe

-Edging completely unraveling into the field

-Moth damage of the rug

Jafri Oriental Rugs has serviced Dutchess County for over 45 years

The second image shows the rug completely restored

Jafri Rug Restoration fixed this rug by applying its professionalmuseum-quality antique rug cleaning processstep-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 the following factors: fabric, type of dye used, age of rug

2. Dry Soil Removal (Dusting)

This is one of themost 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 thattears fibersif 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 applydye stabilizersor choose adry-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 rugsby 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 applied as that can cause color run/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 going the grain and fibers of the rug
• Fringe is hand-cleaned and straightened out with a comb

8. Repairs or Restoration

• Reweaving worn areas
• Edge/selvage reinforcement
• Fringe repair or replacement
• Moth damage treatment
• Color restoration is used where actual dye and New Zealand worsted wool is used to bring back the original condition of the rug

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

Machine carpet cleaning or steam cleaning candestroy antique rugs.