Oriental & Area Rug Cleaning and Repair in Hague, NY

Jafri Oriental Rugs restored this rug by doing the following:

1. Inspection and Identification

• Rug origin and weaving style such as warp and weft
• Fiber type (wool, silk, cotton, camel hair)
• Natural vs. synthetic dyes
• Age and wear patterns
• Existing damage:
  • Fraying of fringe
  • Holes for the wool replacement
  • Dry rot
  • Moth damage
  • Color bleeding
  • Water damage

Antique rugs often require dye-stability testing before any moisture is introduced.

2. Dusting and Dry Soil Removal

Before washing, deep dry soil is removed.

• Rug dusting machines
• Gentle compressed air
• Soft beating/vibration systems
• Hand brushing

This step is critical because antique rugs can hold pounds of embedded grit that cuts fibers over time.

3. Dye Testing

Technicians test every major color area for bleeding risk.

Especially vulnerable:

• Reds
• Dark blues
• Blacks made with iron compounds

If dyes are unstable, cleaners may:

• Lower water temperature
• Adjust pH
• Use moisture-controlled cleaning
• Apply dye stabilizers

4. Hand Washing

Antique Persian rugs are usually hand-washed flat on a wash floor.

Typical process:

1. Pre-soak (if safe)
2. Gentle wool-safe shampoo application
3. Soft brushing with the pile direction
4. Thorough rinsing
5. Fringe cleaning by hand

Harsh steam cleaning is generally avoided because it can:

• Damage lanolin in wool
• Cause shrinkage
• Distort the foundation
• Trigger dye migration

5. Water Extraction and Drying

Excess water is carefully removed using:

• Centrifuge wringers
• Compression rollers
• Controlled extraction systems

Then the rug is dried in a climate-controlled room with:

• Air circulation
• Dehumidification
• Temperature monitoring

Proper drying prevents:

• Mildew
• Browning
• Fiber weakening

For the repair work Jafri Rugs will do the following:

Fringe Repair

Jafri Rugs will add new fringe implants to the rug

The side edges are reinforced to stop unraveling.

Hole and Tear Restoration

Color Restoration

When fading or bleaching occurs:

• Vegetable-dye matching may be performed
• Small areas are color-corrected by hand

A Persian Sarouk of this quality is a rug that is no longer produced on any loom across the world.

The rug was made in the 1920s and has all the characteristics of an antique Persian rug starting with its non-programmed size and is made with vegetable dyes

Additionally, it is threadbare and is tightly knotted

HOWEVER, the rug has the following issues:

-Moth damage in the field that ate thru the motifs which requires reweaving and color restoration

-Fringe destroyed which requires fringe implant

-Faded vegetable dyes which requires brushing the rug with oil and vegetable dye to bring back the original color of the rug

Jafri Rug restoration fixed this rug entirely and raised the value of the rug by doing the following:

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.