Oriental & Area Rug Cleaning and Repair in Walton Park

Jafri Oriental Rug Cleaning and Repair's process for fixing braided rugs:

1. Inspection and Fiber Identification

• Identify the rug’s fiber type (wool, cotton, jute, or synthetic) and construction.

• Check for colorfastness, loose braids, weak stitching, stains, or odors.

• Note areas of heavy wear or damage before cleaning.

2. Dry Soil Removal

• Vacuum thoroughly using suction only (no beater bar) to avoid pulling braids.

• Vacuum both sides to remove embedded grit that causes premature wear.

• For small rugs, gentle outdoor shaking or beating helps release trapped dirt.

3. Pre-Treatment of Stains

• Spot-test all cleaners in an inconspicuous area.

• Blot spills immediately—never rub.

• Use a mild, pH-neutral detergent diluted in cool to lukewarm water.

• For odors, a light vinegar-water mist (50/50) may be used sparingly.

4. Hand Washing / Surface Cleaning

Preferred professional method

• Clean on a flat surface using a soft brush or sponge, working with the braid direction.

• Avoid oversaturation, especially with wool or jute.

• For durable cotton or synthetics, controlled rinsing with clean water is acceptable.

5. Rinsing

• Remove soap residue by blotting with clean, damp towels.

• Never wring or twist the rug—this can distort the braids.

6. Water Extraction

• Press with absorbent towels or use low-moisture extraction.

• Keep moisture levels minimal to prevent dye bleeding or mildew.

7. Drying

• Dry flat or evenly supported in a well-ventilated area.

• Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources.

• Ensure the rug is completely dry before use or storage.

8. Grooming and Finishing

• Realign braids and edges by hand while damp.

• Trim loose fibers—do not pull.

• Apply a rug pad underneath once dry to reduce future wear.

9. Final Inspection

• Check for remaining stains, odor, color bleeding, or loosened stitching.

• Confirm the rug has retained its shape and appearance.

1.Inspection and
Identification: Jafri Rugs carefully inspected to assess the extent of the
moth damage. This involves checking the front and back of the rug for signs of
infestation.

·       
Moth Treatment: The rug would be treated
to eliminate any remaining moths and eggs. This usually involves a deep
fumigation process using eco-friendly chemicals or freezing the rug to kill any
pests.

·       
Re-weaving or Repairing Damaged Areas:
The affected areas would likely require Jafri’s weavers reweaving the entire
field. The damaged wool would be carefully removed, and new wool fibers,
typically dyed to match the original, would be woven into the affected areas to
restore the rug's appearance.

2. Worn and Faded Areas of the
rug

As an example the medallion is a
central feature in Persian rugs, and significant wear or fading can take away
from the rug’s beauty and value.

·       
Color Restoration: To restore the faded vegetable
and chrome dyes, Jafri’s first class weavers dyeing techniques may be employed.
This could involve carefully re-dyeing the 
area using natural dyes or color-safe synthetic dyes. This process is
done with precision to match the original hues and avoid dye bleeding.

·       
Reweaving/Restoration: If the medallion’s
pattern is worn down to the point of damage, Jafri’s weavers had to reweave the
intricate design. This involves painstakingly replicating the original design
and colors.

3. Fringe and Binding
Unraveling

The fringe and the binding are
crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and aesthetic of the rug.

·       
Fringe Repair or Replacement: The
unraveling fringe would need to be reattached or replaced, depending on the
extent of the damage. Jafri’s weavers often restore the fringe by knotting it
back into place using similar fibers (wool or silk, depending on the rug’s
original material). If the fringe is too damaged, it might need to be
completely replaced.

·       
Binding Reinforcement: The edges and
binding would also be repaired. This could involve stitching new binding
material (usually wool or cotton) onto the rug’s edges, followed by a careful
reinforcement of the stitching to prevent further unraveling. A careful color
match is essential to keep the aesthetic intact.

4. Wool Pilling

Pilling happens when fibers get
tangled and form small balls of fuzz, which can occur naturally over time with
wool rugs.

·       
Shaving the Rug: Pilling can be removed
through a careful process of shaving. Special tools or razors designed for rugs
are used to gently remove the pill without damaging the fibers underneath. The
professional would carefully go over the rug to ensure the pilling is removed
evenly, leaving the wool in good condition.

·       
Deep Cleaning: After shaving off the
pilling, the rug would undergo a deep cleaning to remove any remaining loose
fibers and dirt. This would also help restore the softness of the wool.

Additional Steps in the
Restoration Process:

·       
Deep Cleaning: Once the repairs are done,
the rug would be carefully cleaned using appropriate techniques for Persian
rugs. This would likely involve hand-washing the rug with a gentle, wool-safe
detergent to remove dirt, oils, and any debris, followed by rinsing and drying.

·       
Final Inspection: After repairs, the rug
would undergo a final inspection to ensure that all issues (moth damage, wear,
pilling, etc.) have been properly addressed. Any minor touch-ups or final
adjustments would be made.

Challenges and Considerations:

·       
Color Consistency: With moth damage,
fading, or re-dyeing, matching the original color and design of the rug is
critical. Artisans skilled in Persian rug restoration use specific techniques
to ensure that the restoration looks seamless and authentic.

·       
Preservation of Value: Since Persian rugs
can be valuable, every step must prioritize both cleaning and repairing the rug
in a way that preserves its authenticity and market value.

This process would likely take a
fair amount of time—typically several weeks—due to the level of care required
for the repairs and the need for thorough cleaning and drying. Professional rug
restoration requires great expertise, especially for an heirloom-quality piece
like a Persian Bidjar.

This rug should absolutely be restored 

The appropriate treatment is reweaving, not patching.

Jafri skilled artisan kilim restoration weavers would do the following:

1. Stabilize the existing warp threads.
2. Hand-weave new weft yarns into the worn areas using wool that matches the original colors and thickness.
3. Blend the repairs so the pattern and stripes are as continuous as possible.

Because the losses occur in several places, this is a labor-intensive repair. The cost depends on the total length of the damaged areas, the fineness of the weave, and how closely you want the repairs to match the original.

Is it worth repairing?

If the kilim is:

• an older handmade piece,
• has sentimental value,
• or is a good-quality tribal weaving,

then this type of restoration is often worthwhile. Proper reweaving preserves both the structure and the appearance much better than adhesive patches or backing fabrics.

Jafri Rugs Persian and Oriental rug cleaning process is customized to the rug's fiber, age, dyes, and condition. The typical process includes:

1. Inspection & Pre-Treatment
   • Every rug is carefully inspected for wear, stains, colorfastness, fringe condition, and structural damage.
   • The appropriate cleaning method is selected based on the rug's construction and materials.
2. Deep Dust Removal
   • Dry soil, sand, and grit are removed using specialized dusting equipment before washing.
   • This step is essential because embedded dirt can damage fibers if left in the rug during cleaning.
3. Spot & Stain Treatment
   • Pet stains, food spills, odors, and other problem areas receive targeted pre-treatment using wool-safe cleaning solutions.
   • Delicate rugs receive customized treatment to protect dyes and fibers.
4. Hand Washing
   • Rugs are washed on both sides using gentle, fiber-safe shampoos and traditional hand-washing techniques.
   • Antique, Persian, Oriental, silk, and wool rugs receive specialized care to preserve their colors and texture.
5. Thorough Rinsing
   • The rug is completely rinsed to remove dirt, soap, and cleaning residues, helping maintain softness and preventing rapid re-soiling.
6. Water Extraction & Drying
   • A centrifugal extraction system removes most of the moisture.
   • Rugs are then dried in a climate-controlled environment to help prevent shrinkage, mildew, and color bleeding.
7. Brushing, Grooming & Protection
   • Fibers are brushed back into their natural direction.
   • Fringes are cleaned and groomed.
   • Protective treatments against mold, moths, and insects may be applied when appropriate.
8. Final Inspection & Delivery
   • Each rug undergoes a final quality inspection.
   • The rug is packaged and returned, with free pickup and delivery available in many service areas.

This process is designed to safely clean Persian, Oriental, wool, silk, antique, and handmade rugs while preserving their beauty and extending their lifespan.

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

-Refringing where fringe implants were added to the rug, rather than the surging done prior which diminishes the value of the rug

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