Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 7/17/2007

Question
Hi,
I just bought a beautiful used handmade Persian rug.  The problem is that it has quite a bit of color bleeding on it.  Should I live with it or is color bleeding considered a big defect on a Persian carpet?  Is there anything that can be done about it?  Also, I tried rubbing a small area that was stained w/ a towel dipped in warm water and a lot of the red of the carpet came out.  Is this normal or does this mean that the quality of this particular rug is inferior?

By the way, the rug is 9x12 feet.  If I had it cleaned by you, for example, (I live in the D.C. area) what would the cost be and would the color bleeding come out?

Thanks for your help,
Mary

Answer
Hi Mary,
Color bleeding (especially when the bleeding is the red or blue colors) is possible to remedy.  As far as I know, we are the only company in this area that does it.  We do color work for a lot of insurance companies when the replacement values for rugs are very high.  It is an expensive process.  I don't know what your rug is, but perhaps it would be worth the work.  I can't quote you a price on this job without seeing the rug, as it isn't standard cleaning.  Standard cleaning will not remove dyes (otherwise, all of our customers would leave here with white rugs).  If you can, swing by with your rug, we'll tell you everything you need to know at no charge.  Or, you can email me photos: ruglady@jahannandsons.com.
What kind of rug did you get and what did you pay for it?  Perhaps it was priced that way it was because of the running.  It might be worth fixing, it might not.  It might be worth what you paid for it as is, it might not.  It all depends on the rug.  I wish I could be more specific.
We're here until 6pm today if you want to call or stop by.
Best, Katie
301-962-8181