RUGS 101

HAND-KNOTTED & HAND-WOVEN RUGS

Generally speaking, hand-knotted rugs are the most durable rugs with regard to construction. Construction qualities can range from very high to very low, not only in knot count, but also when describing the wool or other materials used in the weaving of the rug. Depending on the overall quality of the rug and the care you give it, hand-knotted pieces can last for generations. Make sure you never vacuum the fringes of a hand-knotted rug; instead, disable the vacuum cleaner beater bar. Hand-knotted rugs can be stored either rolled or folded, depending on the knot density. For rugs with a higher knot count, rolling is preferable to prevent breakage of the foundation. Should the fringe of your hand-knotted rug become damaged, seek immediate assistance from a reputable rug repair workshop.

HAND-TUFTED RUGS

While handmade in quality, these rugs are not knotted by hand and are made with the assistance of a tufting gun. Hand-tufted rugs are often less expensive than hand knotted-pieces and can often be more fashion–oriented. Because they take less time to produce, hand-tufted pieces can follow the latest fads and color trends. Whereas a hand-knotted rug might take months or years to produce, hand-tufted rugs usually take only a matter of days or weeks. As with hand-knotted rugs, there is a wide range of qualities offered within the tufted category, including variations by pile fiber types and the density of the tufts. Always disable your vacuum cleaner beater bar prior to cleaning your hand-tufted rug. Shag tufted rugs should simply be carried outside and beaten, as vacuuming can seriously damage the rug.

Since no knots anchor the yarns of the pile in tufted rugs, a canvas backing is applied to the back of the rug instead, using latex to secure the fibers. Over time, the rug's backing may become stiff, the latex may deteriorate into a non–toxic white powder or it may begin to emit a smell similar to burnt rubber. This type of aging is a characteristic of the latex and is not considered to be a defect. Please be aware that any type of spill or accident that exposes your tufted rug to moisture may accelerate this process, especially if care is not taken to clean and dry the rug immediately. Many people do not find the repair of hand-tufted rugs to be cost effective as they are relatively inexpensive when compared to hand-knotted rugs. Repairs to hand-tufted rugs are possible but should be undertaken only by reputable rug repair specialists.

When storing a hand-tufted rug, never fold it; instead, roll it in a tight cylinder shape to prevent the foundation from breaking or the backing from wrinkling. Never place heavy objects on top of a rolled rug as they may create creases in the rug and can even break the backing. Should the fringe of a hand-tufted rug become detached, it often can be simply sewn back on to the rug.

MACHINE MADE RUGS

Power-loomed and machine made rugs are woven on machines often controlled by computers.

There are varying qualities of power-loomed rugs. Density, fiber content and number of colors used are all considered in determining the rug's quality. Because machine made rugs can be produced in a matter of minutes, these pieces are often much more fashion–oriented toward the trends of the day. The resources and time invested in creating a machine made rug are generally much less than those required for hand-knotted or even hand-tufted product. That investment is reflected in the cost of each rug.

Some machine made rugs have fringe while others do not. When present, fringe is sewn on, and care should be taken when vacuuming as it may easily come apart from the rug. Fringe can be sewn back on, provided no damage has been done to the rug's foundation. Serging at the edges of a machine made rug also can unravel when cleaned or vacuumed incorrectly. Always disable the vacuum cleaner beater bars prior to cleaning the rug. Machine made rugs should be stored rolled rather than folded as the rug's foundation could be adversely affected by folding, and creases may appear if the rug is folded. Just as with a tufted rug, you should not place objects on top of a rolled power-loomed rug as creasing is likely to occur.