Persian rugs are not merely floor-coverings but a piece of artwork done by expert artisans. They are known for their beauty and excellent quality that is long-lasting. Therefore, it is often difficult to place a price-tag on the creativity and hard work that goes into the making of Persian rugs.
As a customer, you may wonder if it’s worth investing all your hard-earned money in a rug. Let us tell you through this article what’s so unique about these hand-woven Persian rugs. They are woven with love and care by the artisans. Not everyone has the expertise to craft them – the skills used to weave them are passed on from generation to generation!
The rugs’ quality and durability make them stand out, and there’s a lot moreyou need to know than we have covered here
A Valuable Asset
Persians have handcrafted the rugs for over 2,500 years and produced amazing quality carpets. The time and the quality of materials used in weaving the carpets make them a valuable possession for the owners. Imagine the amount of effort put into weaving every knot without the use of machinery. It takes months and sometimes even years, depending on the time spent each day to knit the rug.
The material used in the weaving of carpets also makes it more costly than other rugs. Particularly, silk rugs are priced higher. You will find silk-on-silk rugs woven with fine quality and strong silk thread with a silk foundation. Because silk is so fine, artisans have to make millions of knots to create the rug. However, the results are stunning with a clear and detailed pattern, making it a magnificent piece of art! There are combination skill rugs too that have wool and cotton foundation. If you’re looking for a relatively less expensive option, you can check rugs made of wool and cotton.
Since cotton is a fine material, it takes longer to weave than a 100% woolen carpet and less time than weaving 100% silk rugs. The least expensive are the ones that are completely made of wool. Regardless of the price, the quality of woolen rugs is not compromised. Even they are unique too in their quality and designs.
Along with the material used and time invested, the rugs’ size also determines the price. The bigger the carpet, the more time it would take for the human hands to knit it, eventually increasing the cost. Price increases with the increase in the knot counts of the rugs.
These carpets are exclusively designed, and you would rarely find two identical pieces unless you order for a pair of similar rugs. Therefore, we often pay a premium for the inimitable designs and quality of the rugs.
The price of a hand-knotted Persian rug with a size of 6×9 could be anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000. Make sure to have enough information about the origin, size, knot count, and material before making the purchase. Better to look for a trustworthy rug retailer who has sufficient knowledge to guide you regarding the price differences.
If taken care of properly, these are considered valuable assets passed onto the next generations. To avoid any damages while cleaning the oriental rugs, you can follow the tips we have gathered for you.
Cleaning the Rugs
Once you have bought the rugs, you also need to handle it gently to make sure it lasts long. For that, it requires proper cleaning and maintenance. We understand no one fancies a grubby rug, especially when you have spent hundreds of dollars on it. The presentation of the rug is enhanced if it is clean.
You may find dirt-free rugs to be more esthetically pleasing. Getting professional services is the best bet, but if you want to do it yourself, you may find it a little daunting; however, it’s worth it!
It is recommended not to thoroughly clean these rugs more than once a year, preventing the dirt from working its way down to the rug. You can vacuum at least once every two weeks, but be careful with the type of vacuum you use. Using the ones with a rotating brush attachment or beater bars can be risky for the fringes of the rugs. Threads of the fringe can be caught up in the brush and be chewed up.
The best way to clean with the vacuum is to simply use the nozzle. The frequency of cleaning also depends on the footfall. If your rug is placed in a room where barely anyone enters, then it can go uncleaned for a couple of months. But, a hand-knotted Oriental rug is kept in a busy place with kids and pets toddling, then you need to up your cleaning game.
You can ask for help from the professional cleaners once a year (or ideally twice). They charge $4-$5 per square foot, but they do bring the soiled rugs to life with their expertise.
As we mentioned earlier that you could carefully vacuum the rug, avoiding its fringe. Also, don’t forget to clean both sides thrice, vacuuming in the direction of the rug’s fibers and not against it. Suppose you’re skeptical about using a vacuum. In that case, a better option is to invest in a separate cleaning tool such as an electric sweeper.
Sweeping can be another option to get rid of all that dirt on your rugs. Gently sweep it using a broom with straw bristles from one end to the other. Again, it’s advised not to broom it back and forth, or it may damage the carpet. This is an easy way to give the fibers a refreshed feel.
An even easier alternative to sweeping is shaking the dust away.
Even if you decide to clean the rug at home, maintaining the worth of the rug and using it longer, getting it professionally cleaned is recommended.
Choosing the Best One!
Since you’re spending a significant amount in purchasing the rug, don’t get deceived by the retailers of Oriental rug just because they claim to be the best in town. Keep in mind the type of carpet you’re looking for – the size, knot count, and material are important determinants in finalizing your decision.
If you want to buy a silk-on-silk rug, a tip to check for its authenticity is to rub it on your palms; if it gets warm, then the rug is made using the finest silk thread. Though it is a unique handicraft of Iran, the ultimate treasure is to score the perfect one.
Talking about the knot count, a genuine rug would have a minimum of 120 knots per square inch. Turn around to look at the knots from the underside of the rug. A handmade rug usually has few bigger knots, whereas the knots of a machine-made are uniformed.
Silk rugs have a shiny finish and are very fine. They are, therefore, often very expensive. You need to define your budget and determine the use of the rug before buying the rug. Placing a 100% silk rug in the lounge with a large footfall is not a good idea. For that purpose, you can get a woolen rug to avoid it wearing off too soon.
Persian Rugs are Worth a Thousand Dollars!
We are aware the prices are on a bit higher side, but with the quality and durability, it is worth spending a thousand dollars on the masterpiece created by the expert artisans. The premium we pay for their time, skills, and creativity has a great value.
It’s a treasure for the owners that they can use even for a decade. These expensive hand-woven carpets are exclusively made with all-natural silk, wool, and vegetable dyes without using synthetic materials. Thus, the beauty it will add to your home can’t be overstated.