Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 2/19/2010

Question
Hello,
How good of you to provide this service.  
I recently bought a Bakhtiar 323x221 carpet but find the animal smell in the room quite strong.  I rung the dealer and he said to air the room and the smell will eventually go away or to hang it outside.  It's too big to haul outside plus the weather is not suitable at the moment.  Will the smell go away? Over the years we have bought smaller Persian rugs and never experienced this smell.  I understand that this is a tribal rug and a combination of wool and cotton and perhaps the wool wasn't washed enough before weaving?  Any suggestions.
Thanks,
Eidin

Answer
Hi Eidin,

I'm so sorry to hear about your rug.  Bakhtiaris are great rugs that wear very well.  I have one in my foyer at home.  Anywho, I think you are spot on when it comes to the reason for the smell.  The wool probably wasn't washed enough.  The barnyard smell will eventually go away, but I'm not sure that it will go away quickly enough for your liking.  I would recommend having the rug washed a couple of times to speed up this process and to make your rug smell more like a sweater and less like livestock.

All the best,
Katie

Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs
West Howard Antiques District
4210 Howard Avenue | Kensington, MD 20895
301-530-6660 | www.jahannandsons.com