Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 8/18/2009

Question
My sister recently sent me an Afghan hand made rug and dropped a can of latex paint on it today.  I panicked and did not know how to save it so I hosed it with water.  I think I got most of the paint out but of course it is soaked.  I have it lying outside with blocks on all sides.  Any other suggestions. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Patty,

What luck that you managed to get the paint out!  That is definitely a tricky stain, so I applaud your quick thinking.  Did you have any issues with color running when you did this?  Sometimes this happens when you use as much water as a garden hose runs, but if that didn't occur, then you are pretty close to being in the clear.  

The only thing that you may want to do is keep an eye on the rug as it dries.  Afghani rugs are generally woven on a wool foundation, and they like to buckle/shrink when they are washed and dried.  If your rug has a cotton foundation, you may have no trouble at all.  Blocking the rug, as you've done, is a good way to prevent this.  If the bricks don't do the trick, the next step would be to carefully stretch the rug while it is wet and nail it to a board as it dries.  It is like shaping a sweater that needs to be hand-washed.

If you're in the Washington, DC area, we can help you with cleaning and blocking should you need it.  Best of luck!

Sincerely,
Katie
Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs
4210 Howard Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
301-530-6660
ruglady@jahannandsons.com