Oriental & Area Rug Cleaning and Repair in Grafton, NY

October 23, 2025 | Grafton, NY

1. Initial Inspection & Documentation

A specialist begins by:

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  Inspecting the rug’s condition: identifying damage (loose loops, stains, dry or brittle backing, etc.).

  
  


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  Testing dyes for colorfastness using damp blotting methods.

  
  


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  Assessing structure: determining whether the rug is hooked through burlap, linen, or cotton backing — critical for cleaning method choice.

  
  


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  Photographing before cleaning to document condition.

  
  

Goal: Ensure the rug can safely undergo wet or dry cleaning without fiber loss or dye bleeding.

2. Dry Soil Removal ("Dusting")

Before washing, the rug is cleaned of dust, sand, and debris that have settled between loops.

Methods include:

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  Vacuuming gently from the back with a screen over the surface (to avoid pulling loops).

  
  


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  Compressed air or vibration tables for deeper dust removal.

  
  


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  No beater bar or rotary brushes — these can tear hooked loops.

  
  

Goal: Remove embedded grit that can damage fibers during washing.

3. Pre-Treatment & Stain Work

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  Stains (especially pet or food) are treated with wool-safe, pH-neutral solutions.

  
  


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  Oils or sticky residues may require spot work with mild solvents or enzyme cleaners — tested first for safety.

  
  


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  Areas of weakened backing are temporarily stabilized with netting or stitching before immersion.

  
  

Goal: Lift stains gently without chemical or mechanical stress on the loops or backing.

4. Hand Washing

The rug is washed flat, never in a drum or agitation machine.

Process:

1. 
   

   The rug is placed on a clean, flat wash floor.

   
   


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   A mild olive oil shampoo is gently applied with sponges or soft brushes.

   
   


3. 
   

   Water is cold or slightly cool to prevent shrinkage or bleeding.

   
   


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   Both sides are hand-cleaned, taking care not to distort hooked loops.

Goal: Clean deeply while preserving texture, fiber integrity, and shape.

5. Rinsing

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  The rug is rinsed several times until all detergent residue is removed.

  
  


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  Cleaners often use low-pressure water and absorbent wands to draw out remaining moisture.

  
  


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  Excess water is carefully squeezed out (never wrung or twisted).

  Goal: Remove all soap to prevent re-soiling or stiffness.

6. Drying

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  The rug is laid flat on a drying surface or screen.

  
  


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  Fans and dehumidifiers ensure slow, even drying.

  
  


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  The rug is reshaped (“blocked”) during drying to prevent curling or shrinkage.

  
  


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  Sunlight and heat are avoided — UV fades dyes and can weaken backing fibers.

  Goal: Dry evenly to retain original dimensions and prevent distortion.

7. Final Grooming

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  Loops are gently lifted and aligned using a soft brush or hook.

  
  


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  Light vacuuming (with a brushless tool) removes surface fluff.

  
  


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  A textile conditioner or fiber softener (wool-safe) may be applied lightly.

  
  

Goal: Restore natural texture, sheen, and softness.

PROFESSIONAL REPAIR & RESTORATION PROCESS

1. Structural Assessment

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  Determine if the backing (often burlap or linen) is intact or brittle.

  
  


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  Identify areas where loops have pulled out or worn away.

  
  


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  Mark damaged sections for patching or re-hooking.

  
  

2. Backing Repair or Replacement

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  If the backing is deteriorating, the conservator may replace or overlay it:

  
  
  
  
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    The old burlap may be left in place and reinforced with new linen or cotton scrim.

    
    
  
  
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    New backing is hand-stitched to maintain original tension and flexibility.

    
    
  
  
  
  

Goal: Provide new structural support without altering the rug’s appearance.

3. Re-Hooking or Re-Weaving

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  Missing loops are re-hooked by hand using yarn that matches fiber, color, and twist.

  
  


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  A rug hook is inserted through the backing to recreate the original pattern.

  
  


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  For antique rugs, undyed wool or hand-dyed yarns are used for authenticity.

  
  

🪡 Goal: Restore missing or damaged areas seamlessly.

4. Edge & Binding Repair

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  Frayed or unraveling edges are rebound with overcast stitches or new binding tape.

  
  


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  Corners are reinforced to prevent future pulling.

  
  


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  Binding is color-matched to the rug’s edge tones.

  
  

Goal: Prevent further unraveling and restore structural integrity.

5. Color & Surface Restoration (Optional)

March 05, 2025 | Grafton, NY

Jafri Rugs restoration will do the following: 1. Assessment and Inspection: Condition Check: Inspect the rug thoroughly for signs of wear, including fraying edges, missing or damaged knots, stains, or fading. This is essential to assess the scope of restoration work needed. Fabric Type: Identify the materials used (wool, silk, etc.) to ensure the correct restoration techniques and materials are used. Color Matching: Persian rugs often feature vibrant and intricate color schemes. Color matching is important for any repairs to ensure the restoration blends seamlessly with the original. 2. Cleaning: Gentle Cleaning: Before restoration, the rug is cleaned to remove dirt and stains. This is typically done by hand, using mild cleaning solutions and techniques that preserve the integrity of the fibers. Drying: After cleaning, the rug must be carefully dried to prevent any damage or shrinkage. 3. Repairing Damaged Areas: Reweaving/Knots: If there are missing or damaged knots, the missing sections will be re-woven by hand. Skilled artisans use the same knotting technique that was used in the original rug to ensure consistency. Fringe Repair: If the fringe is damaged or missing, it can be reattached or replaced using matching fibers. Edge Repair: The rug’s edges may become frayed over time. A repair may involve re-binding the edges to prevent further unraveling.

June 14, 2024 | Grafton, NY

Jafri Rugs not only cleaned the rug but brought back the vitality of the rug and increased the overall value of the rug. Jafri Rugs antique weavers repaired the rug to its original state and restored a century old rug. The rug required spot treatment and binding and fringe restoration. The rug additionally required reweaving into the field of the rug which was all done by hand. All repair work is done by hand.