CLEANING AND DAILY CARE OF HANDMADE CARPETS

Cleanliness is the first and major step towards the preservation of a hand-made carpet and it is the best defense against damage. There are no hard fast rules to stipulate when and how often to clean a carpet since every hand-made carpet is different and every household exposed carpet does different amounts of wear and dirt. There are many professional books on the care and cleaning of carpets that one may consult if one is interested in doing a professional cleaning. However, the following advice and information are basic general instructions that the average homeowner may exercise in the care and cleaning of Oriental carpets. The recommendation is regular brushing with an old-fashioned hand broom with natural bristles or the use of an electric carpet sweeper. Remember that it is just as important to brush the underlay of the carpet and the floor beneath one caution the regular Users of a vacuum cleaner will eventuality start to loosen the knots and pull the fibers out of the pile, also never use the revolving brush attachment on a carpet for it will pull the fibers apart. The nozzle attachment is the best and may be used once a month. An old-fashioned carpet beater used every few weeks or a good shaking outdoors is invaluable for removing the harm full dust and grit that becomes lodged in the base of the carpet. Always beat the back of the carpet to allow the dirt to fall out from both the back and front of the carpet. Never beat a handmade carpet violently, and never beat antique or silk carpets.

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Washing or Cleaning
How often one needs to clean a carpet, depends on the amount of traffic and the type of carpet. Such cleaning may vary from every six months to once every two years. A carpet with the light-colored ground may be sent out to be cleaned more often, but it may be less obvious if the carpet is dark and intricately patterned. The first indication that a carpet needs cleaning will be from the fell of the pile, which may feel course harsh to the touch instead of velvety and smooth as it should be. Another useful test is to fold up one corner. And tap the back of the carpet over the palm. If a fine powder of dust, grit, and lose fibers falls into your hand it is certainly time to clean the carpet.

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Hand Cleaning at Home
You may be daunted by the idea of cleaning your carpet at home is a time-consuming process requiring care and patience, but it is a simple job that can be successfully carried out by any carpet owner who follows these simple instructions. Hand cleaning has multiple rewards, apart from the obvious benefit of saving money. It will give personal satisfaction to see every fiber fresh and revived. It will also give a closer look at understanding the carpet. Every color and motif will come into view with the close "attention that hand cleaning requires. Nearly all types of carpets can be cleaned at home except antiques, carpets in need of repair, silk carpets, and noncolorfast carpets. These should receive the attention of a professional.

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Preparation
Preparation is as important as the washing process itself. Test the carpet for colorfastness by rubbing a brightly-colored area gently with a damp white cloth. Then examine the carpet carefully to make sure it does not need repair. Since the carpet becomes more fragile when it is wet, it is advisable to carry out most repairs before washing. Only repiling is better done after washing since the color can be matched more accurately after the carpet is clean. Brush and beat the carpet thoroughly to remove as much loose dust as possible, because dust and dirt are more damaging when wet than dry. Finally find a flat, clean hard surface on which to clean the carpet. For small carpets, it is better to clean them on a large table.

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Equipment
Most of the necessary equipment can be found already at home. A soft brush with natural bristles about one inch long(the type used for grooming horses is ideal), white natural vinegar, carpet shampoo, the type which dries to a fine powder, and a bucket of warm water are all that is needed. Prepare a mixture of the following proportions; half an of carpet shampoo to four and a half cups of warm water and add one tablespoon of vinegar to prevent the color from running.

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Method
Lay the carpet with the pile-up on a hard flat surface. Dip the brush in the liquid and apply it in gentle even vertical strokes. Vigorous brushing or scrubbing will not clean thoroughly and is likely to damage the carpet in its wet state. Start in one corner, brushing up and down, with and against the pile with even overlapping movements. The amount of shampoo applied and the pressure of the brush should be as constant as possible over the entire carpet surface. Once the carpet is brushed vertically (lengthwise) then brush horizontally from side to side across the pile, with the same gentle overlapping strokes. The pile should be thoroughly cleaned by now.
Finally, brush gently in the direction of the pile as the carpet dries, so that the pile is lying in the right direction. Try to apply the cleaning solution sparingly, so that the base does not become wet. It is very difficult to dry it thoroughly since it is firmly encased in the millions of tight little knots. If the carpet is returned to the floor (relaid)while the warp and weft are still slightly damp, they will probably start to rot and in a few months, the base will be extremely brittle. During the entire cleaning process handle the carpet as carefully as possible, since while it is wet, it is extremely fragile, so it is very easy to cause damage.

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Drying
Small light carpets can be pegged by the kilim and on a clothesline. Large carpets are more easily dried flat on a hard, clean surface. Paving stones or concrete are ideal. Do not dry on a lawn, since the base will absorb the moisture of the grass. If it is impossible to use such an area, or the weather does not permit outdoor drying, then an area of the house can be prepared. Preferably use a room where there is a warm air current heating system. Do not drape the carpet, it must be allowed to dry flat, and don't walk, or place anything on it until it is completely dry. The warp, weft, and pile of a completely dried carpet should feel soft and pliable. Remove the dried dirt and shampoo powder by gently brushing with a soft dry brush, or by gently using the vacuum cleaner. An alternative method used in Scandinavia and Turkey is to place the carpet pile downward on virgin snow and pat the back gently all over. This patting should be just firm enough to press the pile into the snow, but quickly and gently so it won't make the carpet too damp. As the carpet is lifted away, all the dust and grime are left on the snow. This method is only suitable for small carpets since it may be inconvenient and difficult to dry a large one during the winter.

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Things to Avoid
Washing machines and dryers should never be used for any delicate hand-made item. With carpets the vibration, water temperature, and harsh detergents will cause irreparable damage; possible color-run from the hot water and the detergents, and a cement-like wall once dry. It may even reduce the carpet to shreds. Many films and books show scenes of eastern weavers washing their carpets in streams and rivers. This has led many owners to wrongly believe that a complete soaking is good. This process is only used for fairly new carpets they are washed very quickly then laid out to dry immediately in the baking sun. Antique and silk carpets are never washed in this way. Usually, this river washing is used only as of the first washing, before the carpet is put into use or sold, mainly to remove the millions of tiny wool fibers that become embedded in the pile after clipping and the loose excess dye stuffs This total immersion is not advisable. It can cause color run and it soaks the warp and threads unnecessarily. The warped weft does not need such a cleaning, since they are totally enclosed by the knots of the pile, and so are not exposed to dirt. Some firms that advertise themselves as expert carpet cleaners use electric rotary brushes. These machines were designed for use on machine-made carpets, and should only be used on such. The coarse bristles and the high-powered circular motion of the brush will twist and break the delicate wool fibers of an Oriental carpet. Again dry cleaners sometimes advertise themselves as carpet cleaners. Their services may be useful for machine-made carpets, but an oriental hand-made masterpiece should never be subjected to the strong chemicals that these firms use. The damage may become apparent only after several months and the damage is irreparable.

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Dealing with Spills and Stains.
Water spillage is perhaps the most common accident at home. When this occurs, appropriate steps should be immediately taken. Using an undyed piece of cloth, try to absorb as much of the spilled water as gently blot the pile. Do not try to wring it. A hairdryer, set a moderate heat, is probably the best implement for drying. Dry the carpet thoroughly from both sides. The pile may be a little damp when dry. Gently touch it back in shape with the fingers. Failure to carry out the above steps as quickly as possible may result in two problems; color run, and the rotting of the warp and weft. Should these problems occur it is best to seek the help of expert restorers in a busy household a variety of substances may be accidentally spilled on a rug. Excluding the treatment for silk or antique carpets, most of these accidents can be tackled at home. The first step with any substance is the same as with water. Soak up as much liquid as possible with a clean, undyed cloth. This simple absorption method, when carried out as quickly as possible, is the greatest contribution to stain prevention. The longer the spill remains, the more difficult it is to clean, and the greater the danger of a permanent stain. The next stage is to make a color-fastness test. Rub a colorful patterned area with a damp white cloth. If the cloth takes to tackle the problem. If the carpet is colorfast, then the stain can be removed home with a variety of common household items. Dealing with every type of stain, work from the top of the stain to spread, never use hot water, bleach, or washing up liquid, and remember that gentle repetition is more effective than harsh scrubbing.