Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 5/11/2010

Question
Wow. Just read your answer on cleaning a wool rug-too late.  We had a carpet cleaner clean our carpets and I asked him if he could clean a wool rug in the entry way.  He said yes and that he used only 'hot water'. I thought he knew what he was doing!  The colors on the rug faded and the colors now look very uneven and diffused.  The carpet cleaner says he has cleaned many such rugs without a problem. The well known rug dealer says it was a good wool rug and that too hot a water was used (chemicals may also have been used in the cleaning). How can we tell who is right? Can some of the uneveness be removed- even if faded?

Answer
Hi Ken,

So sorry to hear about your rug!  We never wash wool with hot water, whether it be a rug or a sweater, because of color running and shrinkage risks.  If you email me a picture of your rug, then I can give you an idea of what you have/had.  Just shoot me an email of your rug pics: ruglady@jahannandsons.com.  If you could include a photo of the back of the rug where the fringe meets that pile, that would be especially helpful.  Put a quarter, ruler or some other object for size-reference in the photo, if you can.  The rug dealer is probably right on this one, but let's just look at the pics and see.

Best,
Katie

Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs
West Howard Antiques District
4210 Howard Avenue | Kensington, MD 20895
301.530.6660 | www.jahannandsons.com