| When one has invested in a Persian carpet, it can be | | | | by the feel; if the patch feels leathery and hard then |
| a frightening and stressful situation should any | | | | it is not yet fully dry. |
| damage occur to their prized possession. There are | | | | After the drying process is complete, the wool fibers |
| measures to prevent accidents happening, although | | | | may be matted together. Gently rub the fibers with |
| sometimes accidents are inevitable. This is especially | | | | the fingers until the fibers have separated again. |
| so when the carpet is being used in a family home, | | | | Stains are also inevitably part of home life, but quick |
| and therefore prone to the happenings of life. The | | | | action can also help to prevent that ugly stain from |
| most important fact to remember is that the | | | | staying there permanently. |
| fundamental of successful treatment of damage is | | | | Firstly you will have to check if the dye of your |
| speed. | | | | carpet is such that it runs easily. Test a small corner |
| Water damage is perhaps one of the most | | | | with a damp cloth. If the colors come away on the |
| dangerous threats to your Persian carpet. Water | | | | cloth, you will have to take your carpet to an expert |
| absorption will cause the warp and weft of your rug | | | | restorer. If the color is fast then you can try and |
| to rot. As the rug gradually dries the damaged area | | | | treat it at home. |
| will become brittle. Water damage can also cause the | | | | Mop up or absorb the worst part of the stain so that |
| colors of your Persian carpet to run, something which | | | | the stain is dry. Start from one corner (not the |
| can only be repaired by an expert restorer. | | | | center) and work your way across. Urine from pets |
| Water damage can occur a number of ways - burst | | | | are probably the worst culprit - do not leave to dry |
| pipes, flooding, leaking roofs, or even a bucket | | | | since the chemicals will rot your carpet. In the case |
| knocked over. The first action to take must be to | | | | of urine, mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with 1 pt |
| absorb all the excess water using an absorbent | | | | (0.5 litres) of lukewarm water and work into the |
| towel, sponge, tissue or cloth. If a cloth is being used | | | | affected area. Rinse with clean warm water soaked |
| it must be made from cotton which has not been | | | | into a sponge and mop up the water and dry with |
| dyed, to prevent color run. The next thing to do is | | | | white blotting paper or unstarched, undyed cotton |
| sponge the damaged area with clean water. Under no | | | | held down by a stack of books. |
| condition should carpet shampoo be used, as this will | | | | For tea, coffee, milk or alcohol, use a non-alkaline |
| be fatal to your carpet! The last step is to dry the | | | | detergent mixed with some lukewarm water, rinse |
| wet area with warm air. A hair-dryer with variable | | | | with clean lukewarm water and dry with a hair dryer, |
| temperature settings is probably the best tool for | | | | as described above for water stains |
| this purpose. Using the lowest setting on the | | | | For stains caused by blood, egg or gelatin, never use |
| hair-dryer, the carpet must be dried completely. It | | | | hot water since this will set the stain. Rather mix half |
| can be frustrating and tiring but this is important in | | | | a cup of salt with 1 quart (1 litre) of cool water and |
| ensuring the preservation of your rug. To ascertain | | | | sponge. Rinse with cool water and blot dry. |
| whether the rug is completely dry, it is determined | | | | |