Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 4/27/2009

Question
I bought my oriental carpet a few years ago from an older couple, downsizing. I paid $50.00 for it, and it was in mint condition. After using a short time, my dogs decided to use it as an alternate "yard". I tried cleaning the urine by blotting first with clean white towels. The colors bled, but I continued by using pet urine products on the spots. Some of the spots cleaned with no problems. The dogs, however, kept going to the same places, and I then developed "purple spots" from the red and blue dyes bleeding. I have had it to throw out, but I thought it best that I see if there is something that can be done first. I have no idea about the true value of the rug. I loved the colors, and it looked like an expensive rug. I did not have it lying on a carpet pad, but hardwood. I am not sure if this means anything or not,but the carpet is not real dense. Could you suggest something that I could try, or somewhere I could take it? I am in Roanoke, VA. Thank you so much for your time.Please email me the answer if you could. Karen

Answer
Hi Karen,

I'm sorry to hear about your rug.  Since you've said you have problems with the colors running in the carpet, I'm not sure if a permanent solution is possible in this case.  

When pets urinate on a rug continuously, it is necessary to soak the rug in water and completely flush out all of the urine.  Otherwise, they will continue to smell where they've done their business before and go back to those same spots (even if you've deodorized and can't smell anything anymore).  When you soak a rug in water, you run the risk of the dyes running in the carpet.  Since you know from the urine that your rug does this, then I think it would be a guarantee that the cure would be worse that the cough in this situation.  You'll end up with a fresh-smelling tye-dyed rug.  

It is possible to deodorize the rug and remove the dyes that have run thus far.  After this, you'd have to keep the rug from your dogs, but it would perhaps make the rug usuable.  This may or may not be cost effective.  Since you've paid $50 for the rug, I would venture a guess and say it is not.  But, you could be right and have something of value, so you never know.  If you'd like to email me photos of your rug (including one close-up of the back where the pile meets the fringe), I'd be happy to let you know the estimated value of your rug.  Be sure to let me know the size of the carpet as well.

Thanks and best of luck,
Katie
ruglady@jahannandsons.com

Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs
West Howard Antiques District
4210 Howard Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
301-530-6660