Persian carpets
Persian Carpet Cleaners, Persian Carpet Cleaners, Persian Wool Carpet Cleaners, Persian Piece Carpet Cleaners, Persian Silk Carpet Cleaners provides services to clients in the refurbishment, repair, deep cleaning, revitalization, antibacterial and disinfectant protection, impregnation of natural carpets according to your wishes in top quality according to our internal company standards, IICRC™ guidelines and standards and expertly implemented PERSIAN® system.
the PERSIAN® trademark defines the Carpet Service® branded technology concept of expertly executed carpet service companies focused on the regular maintenance, cleaning, revitalization and impregnation of synthetic, natural, wool, Persian and silk carpets, textile and leather sofas, chairs and upholstery materials. This branded concept brings the utmost professionalism in full synergy with maintaining ethical, environmental and quality performance standards including contractual guarantee of the services provided by the contractor.
Perry Carpets fall into the category of more expensive to expensive carpets and their maintenance is not easy and above all should be carried out by a competent expert contractor. If your Persian carpet at home gets a lot of use, it may get to a state where you cannot get rid of the dust and dirt by just vacuuming and therefore it is always best to have your Persian carpet professionally cleaned. Proper cleaning techniques can keep your carpet in great condition.
Persian Carpets – The History and Science of Carpets
Persian carpets are the most famous hand-knotted oriental carpets alongside Turkish and Afghan carpets. Persian carpets are commonly referred to as carpets from modern-day Iran, which feature floral patterns and vibrant colors. Strictly speaking, the nomadic hand-knotted carpets of Iran do not count as classic Persian carpets because they are usually knotted in darker colors and geometric patterns. The Persian carpet is – as already mentioned – characterised by its floral patterns. The great variety of Persian carpets is named after their provenance, cities and villages.
Persian carpets are associated with Iran, which is a multi-ethnic country and combines many cultures. Azerbaijan is considered one of the cradles of the Iranian carpet industry. Documents prove that Persian carpets and kilims are at least 1200 years old. During the reign of the Seljuks, the knotting craft became famous in Persia. Traditional Persian carpets reached their heyday under the Safavids, who particularly encouraged the art form. Until the 15th century, almost exclusively geometric motifs were used. After that, plants and sweeping arabesques became increasingly common. They were inspired by the then widespread art form of miniature painting. Since then, the artistic design of the carpet has been clearly separated from the actual execution of the knotwork. Talented draughtsmen created the knot patterns of Persian carpets on cardboard or paper, which became the basis for the weave. The Persian carpets we know today mostly date from the Shah’s period. During the reign of the Shah of Persia, the Persian carpet gained great importance as an export item and today it is intrinsically linked to Persian tradition.
The most famous origins of Persian carpets
- Tabriz carpets – have been woven in the city on the former Silk Road since the 16th century
- Nainan Carpets – Particularly bright and beautiful Persian carpets made of silk.
- Sarough Carpets – Large and old carpets also known as American Sarough.
- Bijar Carpets – Extremely rugged and strong carpet that often lasts for decades.
- Isfahan Rugs – The finest, most colorful and beautiful knotted rugs in the world.
- Keshan Carpets – Large ornaments in red and blue with good value for money.
- Hamedan Rugs – Hamedan rugs are Persian nomadic rugs from the Hamedan province.
Most important characteristics of Persian carpets
In addition to the provenances listed above, there are countless other smaller towns and villages after which Persian rugs are named. Even many experts can hardly distinguish between them. The biggest differences between the provenances are:
- Knot density
- Colour
- Design
- Ornament
- Manufacture
They can however be compared according to the materials used and the symmetrical and asymmetrical so-called Persian knots. For example, the Isfahan carpet and the Gabbeh carpet are two Persian carpets that are very different in appearance. The Isfahan carpet is one of the most beautiful and colourful Persian carpets. The Gabbeh carpet, on the other hand, is rather monotonous, as it is a single-coloured wool carpet.Finding a true expert in Persian carpets, who knows about even the smaller and older provenances, is difficult today.
Persian rug colours and patterns
Classic Persian rugs are exclusively knotted in floral and vase-like patterns and are usually decorated with a beautiful ornament or medallion in the middle. Persian carpets with a through-pattern, i.e. a repeating motif, are rarer. The frame around a Persian rug is the so-called border. Like a picture frame, it encircles the ornament of the rug and gives it a rectangular shape. In order to show the spectacular effect of these designs, the density of the knots is slightly higher than in other oriental carpets. Natural and vegetable dyes are used to dye the virgin wool, which have proven their durability and beauty over synthetic dyes. For example, the blue colour of Persian carpets is obtained from indigo. Commonly used colours include red, beige and blue. However, colors such as turquoise, brown, pink or yellow are also popular for Persian carpets.
Vegetable dyes as a long-term quality promise
Carpets dyed with vegetable dyes often only acquire their true beauty over time, as the dyes become more uniform and harmonious over time. Old and antique Persian carpets are therefore particularly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts and can therefore achieve a higher value than new Persian carpets. For example, a Kirman carpet sold for an incredible seven million euros at a London auction in 2010 and has since been considered the most expensive Persian carpet in the world. Shortly before that, this rug was unknowingly listed for 900 euros.
Characteristics of a traditional Persian rug
It is not easy for a layman to distinguish an original Persian carpet from a hand-knotted carpet from, for example, India or Pakistan, because recognising the most important distinguishing features requires a great deal of experience. Indian carpets often look very accomplished and customised, whereas a Persian carpet has a natural authority that gives a sense of uniqueness and value. Unfortunately, objective distinguishing features can usually only be recognised by experts. Therefore, it is advisable to seek expert advice in case of questions concerning the origin. Our information on the origin of carpets can be found on our detailed website. Of course, we can also issue certificates of authenticity on request.
Persian carpet cleaning and maintenance
Persian carpets with natural material require professional care. It is not recommended to attempt home deep cleaning by means of a steam cleaner from the back and front, as the steam cleaner is not able to clean it all and the excessive heat penetrating it damages the wool and its natural lanolin. Excessive heat can also lead to shrinkage of the natural fibres of Persian carpets, putting you at risk of permanent damage.
Home care for Persian rugs is simple. Regular weekly vacuuming ideally with a knocking head will not harm it for decades. The natural vegetable dyes, dense weave and natural grease of virgin wool provide protection so that most dirt will not penetrate the carpet at all. Only the smallest particles of sand and dust can settle in the foundation over time. In order to remove even the smallest dust particles from the carpet, it is recommended to have the carpet deep cleaned every 2-3 years by an expert – professional natural carpet cleaner.
In everyday life, Persian carpets know only two enemies: red wine and years of sunlight. Red wine stains can be treated, but cleaning is very time consuming and therefore a non-negligible cost factor. To prevent one-sided exposure of the carpet to sunlight, it helps to rotate the carpet frequently at even intervals so that both sides are exposed to similar amounts of sunlight. The sun does not necessarily lead to a reduction in the value of the carpet. Many old and antique Persian carpets have only become particularly beautiful and valuable through even exposure to sunlight. Some Persian carpets are even exposed to the sun for long periods of time to give the colour a brighter and more balanced sheen.
If a Persian rug only comes into contact with water, it usually just needs to be dried thoroughly on both sides. The carpet will lift for several days when wet, as the warp expands due to the moisture. Once the moisture has escaped from the carpet, the warp will settle again and the carpet will not change. Strong rubbing of water stains in dry conditions or the use of detergents should be avoided, as both can damage the Persian rug. In the case of coffee or cola stains, you should contact a professional as soon as possible. You can treat the stain yourself using lukewarm water and dishwashing liquid. However, you should seek professional advice before doing so.
Mould removal + mould prevention on older Persian carpets that may smell of mould or damp smell is important not to neglect, as natural carpets have a natural tendency to retain moisture which later leads to mould. There are several ways you can get rid of unpleasant odours by cleaning your carpets:
- Leave a Persian rug in sunlight for a few hours.
- Blow dry the carpet with a fan on both sides, remembering to work in sections.
- Take the carpet to a professional carpet cleaner – this is a guaranteed way to get rid of mildew from Persian carpet.
The professional carpet cleaning and the reputable Persian carpet maintenance provided through expertly skilled technology brings assurance that your Persian carpet will not shrink, fade, or even show any damage.
- We first remove most of the dirt and dust from your Persian rug by hand with gentle machinery, instead of running it through aggressive equipment that can damage your precious rug.
- Depending on the material of your Persian rug, we will use a specialized stain remover to thoroughly remove or reduce the stain depending on the condition of the rug.
- Depending on the material, your rug will either be cleaned in a water bath and then dry cleaned using special “WOOL SAFE” chemical cleaners.
- We will then dry the carpet as best we can to remove excess moisture and let it dry and turn it off.
- Finally, we thoroughly disinfect and impregnate the Persian rug and after a thorough inspection, we wrap it and prepare it for delivery or transport to you.
How you can protect your rug from damage
- The moth larvae nesting in Persian carpets are quite common and can be kept under control by regular vacuuming, leaving the carpets in sunlight for a few hours and also having them professionally cleaned.
- If you want to store your Persian carpets, it is best to have them professionally cleaned and kept in an enclosed area to prevent dirt from getting on them.
- Always keep the carpet in a dry and clean area as moisture causes damage to the carpet.
- To avoid excessive pressure on the carpet, use furniture covers on the legs of tables and chairs.
- Use thick rubber pads under loose rugs to prevent them from sliding. They also help manage the weight of the furniture.
In conclusion, it’s always better to have your Persian rugs cleaned by a professional than to try to do it yourself. This is because the more likely a mistake is made, the more your carpet will be damaged or may become locally degraded, even irreversibly.