1. Owning a Persian or Oriental rug is like owning a piece of history - evidence of woven rugs dates as far back as 2000 BC. Asian nomads, whose trade was rearing sheep and weaving thick, protective coverings from the sheared wool, wove the first Persian/Oriental rugs.
2. Direction of pile and light source affects the shading of Persian and Oriental rugs, so rotating the carpet will determine the best shading for the room. Rugs with central diamond-shaped or round motifs should be placed so that furnishings can be balanced with the design.
3. Under-padding keeps Persian and Oriental rugs in place and decreases wear and tear on rugs. Padding allows rugs to breathe, reduces impact on the fibers, and keeps abrasive dirt and grit from wearing down backings
4. When placing a Persian or Oriental area rug, allow a border between wall and rug of 18 to 36 inches; runners should be 4 inches narrower and 18-24 inches shorter than the hallway. Persian/Oriental rugs used in dining rooms should be at least 4 feet longer and wider than the table.
5. Inquire where the wool in your Persian or Oriental rug came from; the finest fibers come from cool, moist climates like Tibet and New Zealand, known for their long, lustrous wool. Beware of dry, brittle, or shiny rug fibers.
6. When shopping for a Persian/Oriental rug, remember that natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton make stronger, more valuable rugs than synthetic fibers. Materials, labor, origin, knots per square inch, and originality of design determine pricing; slight inconsistencies are an indication that the rug is handmade.
7. Knot density determines the durability of Persian/Oriental rugs, and the fineness of the knots determines the detail of the design. Each bump on the back of a woven rug is a knot - the more knots, the higher the price of the rug.
8. Folds and creases are normal in new Persian/Oriental rugs; walking across rugs usually flattens them, and stubborn corners can be tamed by the weight of a few books. Coasters spread the weight of furniture legs and protect rug fibers.
9. Never use the beater bar of your vacuum on your fine Persian/Oriental rugs, and always vacuum in the direction of the pile. Dry spills can be removed by sweeping with a household broom.
10. Quickly blot spills on Persian/Oriental rugs with a white cotton cloth before the spill seeps into the fibers and stains. Check for colorfastness, and blot with a diluted solution of Woolite and white vinegar; never rub or scrub the fibers.
