B

y
:

A
l

R
u
g

T
i
p
s

&

C
a
r
e

f
o
r

h
a
n
d
m
a
d
e

O
r
i
e
n
t
a
l

r
u
g
s

O
r
i
e
n
t
a
l

R
u
g
s

G
u
i
d
e

Our articles section features various types of articles on handmade
oriental rugs, ranging from selecting a rug to maintenance, evaluation
to removing stains. We'll keep adding new articles to this section for
you so make sure to check back often. To stay informed and receiving
articles in your email, you can also subscribe to our newsletter here.
We hope you enjoy learning more about rugs!
Al Rug
66, Fleming Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Ph: +92 300 510 5818, +92 333 550 0088
HTTP://WWW.ALRUG.COM


Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 2

A brief introduction to Carpet Weaving History
of Pakistan

Pakistan is amongst the
world's largest producers and
exporters of handknotted
Oriental carpets. In the last
few decades, Pakistani
carpets have reached the
farthest corners of the world.

The art of weaving developed
in the region, comprising
Pakistan, at a time when few
civilizations knew about it.
Excavations at MohenjoDaro
and Harappa ancient cities of Indus Valley civilization
have established that the people knew the use of
spindles and spun a wide variety of weaving materials.
In fact, some historians are of the view that it was the
Indus Valley civilization that of the first time developed
the use of woven textiles.

The tradition of textile weaving has survived in the
shape of folk culture in various parts of Pakistan. The
textile designs, architecture and characteristic of our
folk culture point to the floral and geometric patterns
that are basic to carpet designing. This clearly shows
that the art of carpetmaking and designing existed in
the region from very old times.
Islamic Heritage
Carpets have, from the beginning, been a part of the
Islamic culture as it achieved unprecedented heights in
Baghdad, Damascus, Cordova, Delhi and in the fabled
cities of Central Asia. They were predominantly used to
cover the floors of mosques and houses, and were
occasionally used as wall decorations. The first half of
the 16th century is considered the 'Golden Age' of
Persian carpets, when large carpets with rich colors and
complex designs were produced out of factories in Iran.
As a result, carpet weaving in Orient was perfected to
fine art in Persian and Turkish regions and their were
the first to be recognized as Islamic carpets.
Mughal Tradition
Carpet weaving in Pakistan
goes back to the inception of
Mughal Dynasty, when the
last successor of Timur, Babar,
extended his rule from Kabul
to India, to found the Mughal
Empire in the early 16th
century. However, historians
believe that carpet making
was first introduced to the
region now constituting
Pakistan as far back as the 11th Century with the
coming of the first Muslim conquerors, the Ghaznavids
and the Ghauris from the West. Established Carpet
weaving in IndoPak SubContinent started under the
patronage of the Mughals, when Indian craftsmen
adopted Persian techniques and designs. The carpets
woven in Punjab at that time often called Lahore
carpets made use of the motifs and the decorative
style found in Mughal architecture.

During the Mughal period the carpets made in the Indo
Pak SubContinent became so famous that there was a
mounting demand for them abroad. These carpets had
a distinctive design and boasted a rich knotting density.
The carpets made for the Mughal emperors, including
Jahangir and Shah Jahan, were of the finest quality. It
was during Shah Jahan's reign that Mughal carpet
weaving took on a new aesthetic and entered its
classical phase.




Inner panels of Badshahi
Mosque in Lahore




A finequality Mughal
Kashan

Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 3


After the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, most of the
Muslim carpet makers, designers, masters and other
craftsmen migrated to Pakistan and settled down in and
around Lahore and Karachi two major centers of
carpet weaving in today's Pakistan. It is these people
who now form the backbone of the carpet industry in
Pakistan.
At present, handknotted
carpets are among Pakistan's
leading export products and
their manufacture is the
second largest cottage and
small industry. Pakistani
craftsmen have the capacity
to produce any type of carpet
using all the popular motif
gulls, medallions, paisleys, traceries, geometric designs
in various combinations. However, the new Institute of
Carpet Designing and Weaving has been established in
Bahawalpur to train teachers. The Lahore Design Centre
at the Punjab Small Industries Corporation maintains a
separate section of carpet designing to experiment with
new designs.

Ninetyfive percent of the carpets are produced for
export and Turkoman, Persian and Caucasian designs
are crafted since they meet the popular taste abroad.
Baluchistan and NWFP excel in tribal Turkoman patterns
and color combinations, while Lahore and Karachi are
famous for singlewefted designs in Turkoman and
Caucasian style, and doublewefted Mughal types
(commonly referred as Pak Persian).






Mughal Bakhtiar with
central medallion

Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 4

Buying Oriental Rugs A Beginners Guide
From Casablanca to Canton, carpets have been woven
for a thousand years or more. Nomadic peoples,
roaming the wilds of Central Asia's mountains and high
plateaus, developed techniques of knotting wool to
make rugs. As the yarn was twined together, magical
designs and symbols, as well as the natural beauty
tribes would see around them, would be blended to
create a unique array of pattern, texture and color.
These wandering clans, roving the wilderness of North
Africa and Asia, extracted their rich hues of brown and
red from walnut shells and pomegranate skins. Other
craftsmen, working in the tranquil backstreets of fabled
cities such as Fez and Istanbul, would experiment with
exciting schemes of motifs.
Why an Oriental Carpet?
A handmade Oriental carpet is as much a piece of
furniture as a fine desk or a loved bookcase. A simple
carpet can lend to a drab room a magical glow, creating
a particular mood and ambience. Each carpet different
from the next, has the own intrinsic character, its own
special feel and unique design.
However, purchasing a carpet has always been
something of a risky business. The experience is all too
frequently shrouded with guesswork and luck.
Questions such as: "Is this carpet good quality?", "Is it
synthetic?" or "Am I paying too much?" tend to crop up
just as you hand over the travelers cheques.
Unscrupulous dealers with their smooth sales talk,
baffling technical terms and unorthodox methods can
transform what should be a pleasurable buying of a
carpet into a frenzied nightmare.
You can't learn all there is to know in a few minutes, but
we can certainly help you to become at least a little
"rugwise". Pick up a few facts, act in a certain way in
negotiations, and you will automatically sidestep many
of the pitfalls.
Knotting
There are so many thousands of different carpet
varieties, that it is useful to subdivide them into a
couple of more manageable divisions. Two very
different kinds of carpet are made. One is made with
the Turkish knot, and the other is formed with what is
known as the Persian knot. Hundreds of thousands of
knots are tied side by side to form a tufted pile.
Generally speaking, the closer the knots are together,
the higher the quality.
Styles
Carpet designs fall into two general categories of style
also. Tribal rugs are quite different from those made in
cities. Because one is made in the city doesn't mean
that the carpet is lower, or higher, in quality than the
one produced in a remote village or elsewhere. The two
types are simply different, neither better than the
other.

A room furnished with Al Rug's Pak Persian carpet
Courtesy: Kim McPherson, Florida

Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 5

Tribal or Workshop?
Many tribal carpets bear the precise name of their
tribes such as Bakhtiari, Baluchi or Afshar. Their designs
are frequently rougher, more angular than those of city
carpets. They are often, and until very recently
especially, made to be used only by the members of the
clan or tribe. Only in hard economic times was a carpet
sold to outsiders.
Carpets made in a city are crafted to a much more
rigorous system of specific styles and designs, using
more measured motifs and regular colors. Their lines
are generally more rounded, the patterns more flowery,
than those of the tribal clans. The weavers are normally
paid by the hour, or by the week: a fast weaver can tie
somewhere in the region of 1000 knots an hour, yet a
medium size carpet still takes up to eighteen months or
more to complete.
Get the feel first
Before you set off to buy a carpet, you must prepare.
One good method is to get a book about carpets. Flick
through the pages and see what immediately appeals to
you. If you are not in a great hurry, try leaving the book
open for a couple of days at a certain page to see if the
picture of a particular style fits the room
1
. In any case,
look at the pictures with great care. Examine the
varying systems of pattern: you will immediately see
that a carpet made in Baluchistan is very different from
one crafted in Istanbul.
Posing as an expert!
To avoid making the wrong choice you must make the
seller think you are a serious expert. He will conclude
your knowledge and level of expertise from the way you
explore a rug, the questions you ask and even from the
questions that you don't ask. A few facts and figures are
handy to know. A crafty dealer will try to trip up by
slipping baffling words into the conversation in an
attempt to fluster you.

Baffling words
For instance, Pushi, Zaranim and Dozar are words that
indicate the size of the rug. Kaba describes a coarse
carpet, while Kurk is very high quality wool. The popular
octagonal shape,
called Filpai
(pronounced
Feelpoy) means
"Elephant Foot".
Herati is a very
common Persian
design, which
usually has a central
floral pattern with
symmetrical floral
corner pieces. It is
also sometimes known as Mari, the fish pattern. Gul
simply means "Flower" in Persian: its often a stylised
octagonal flower shape. Boteh is Paisley, and has great
significance throughout Asia: its seen as a harbinger of
good fortune. Mihrab is the Central Arch, which is very
common in smaller rugs, used for kneeling in prayer.
Be careful of terminology and don't be taken in by it. I
once heard a tourist in Middle East being told that the
carpet in question was a genuine Khalis Baftagi, which
in Persian means "entirely woven"!
Don't get carried away
The first golden rule of getting rugwise is not to buy
anything on the first visit, or from the first shop you
come across. Check out what everyone has to offer:
look through their stocks and ask prices. Go home and
sleep on it before committing to making a definite
choice. Most importantly: don't be sucked in by the
dealer's tricks. He may bring you endless cups of tea,
pull dozens of rugs down for you to inspect, or imply
you can't afford them. One expert of ruglore I know
insists that when a salesman uses such ploys you must
react accordingly!
Mehrab or Central Arch in a
Prayer rug

Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 6

End note
After the first visit to the dealer's "den" you will begin
to look like an expert. Remember to always act with
aplomb: use a cool, dignified approach. Learn from the
salesman. Look at the way he turns the carpets over,
how he examines the underside, watch the movements
he makes when he appraises it.
Another golden rule is, never buy a carpet from
someone who insists extravagantly about the favor he is
doing you. Fly by night rug dealers will cause problems
later. Be sure to get a certificate of origin [we provide
certificate of origin] for the carpet, and the check that
the import taxes of your own country aren't overly
bothering. If you take into account all those points
mentioned above, you'll definitely catch a good deal
and not to mention an exciting carpet buying
experience. Wish you luck hunting down the great
carpet for yourself!



Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 7

Selecting the best rug for your home!
Before buying your rug, decide on the shape and size of
rug. A great way to visualize the rug in the room is to
use masking tape to define the area of the rug, or also
laying sheets. Be sure to keep note of all your
measurements before you go to the store.
Get the feel first
Another way around is to get a feel first. Before you set
off to buy a carpet, you must prepare. One good
method is to get a book about carpets. Flick through the
pages and see what immediately appeals to you. If you
are not in a great hurry, try leaving the book open for a
couple of days at a certain page to see if the picture of a
particular style fits the room
1
. In any case, look at the
pictures with great care. Examine the varying systems of
pattern: you will immediately see that a carpet made in
Baluchistan is very different from one crafted in
Istanbul.
Rug Shapes & Sizes
The shape of your rug will firstly be determined by your
particular taste and secondly by the room and area you
are looking to place your rug. The size of your rug will
be determined by the amount of space you have to
work within your chosen room or area. In a particular
situation, if you want to have only one rug for a room, it
should be cover at least one third area of the floor.
Read through our tips on which rug shapes suit which
areas:
Rectangular Rectangular rugs are the most
common rugs in the world and are rectangular
in shape varying in size. Rectangular rugs are
suited to large areas, such as living areas and
dining rooms.
Runner A runner rug is very long and narrow
and rectangular in shape. Runners are most
commonly used in hallways, stairways, and
entrances.
Round Round rugs are equal in length and
width. Round rugs can be used in living areas
under round coffee tables to add emphasis to
the middle of the area.
Oval Oval rugs are quite uncommon and have
no set standard sizing available.
Square Square rugs are equal in length and
width. Square area rugs are ideal for square
rooms.
Odd Shapes Often some odd shaped rugs are
available, such as octagonal and hexagonal.
Handy Rug Laying Hints
For a rug that is defining an area, there should be no
more than two feet of empty rug extending out from
behind the furniture. A rug used for defining is unifying
the items placed around it if the rug is large enough to
accommodate at least the front legs of each piece of
furniture.
A rug for a dining room should extend eighteen inches
to twentyfour inches beyond the table, with generally
an eight by tenfoot rug working in most living rooms
and dining rooms. For small areas, such as coffee tables
a six by fourfoot or a six by ninefoot rug is sufficient.

1
To get a feel of our rug(s) you can print details and photos of a carpet on every carpet page by clicking 'Print Preview'
link just above carpet photo.


Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 8

Care and use of Oriental Rugs and Carpets
Carpets in a house help to reduce noise levels
and minimize heat loss through the floor. They
are also more comfortable to lie on or to sit on
than a hard wooden floor.
Carpets are harder to clean than bare floors,
spilled drinks may stain them, and they tend to
collect fur from family pets. They should be
vacuumed regularly in order to prevent the
accumulation of dust.
Dust mites can survive very well in carpets,
which can be problematic for sufferers of
asthma who are allergic to them.
When using your Oriental rugs are on the floor,
use carpet cushions (pads). There is no question
that a carpet pad prolongs the life of your
Oriental rug or Kilim. In most cases, the best is
plastic foam that will not migrate color to the
rug or to the floor and will offer good wear
protection. Do not use a rubber, jute or waffle
pad.
Flip the rugs over periodically so there will be
even distribution of fading and wear on both
sides.
Have your Oriental rugs and other wool area
rugs treated for moths, carpet beetles and
destructive insects. Inspect the rugs periodically
for insect damage.
Vacuum your rug moderately using a vacuum
without the "beater bar."
Clean spills immediately. The quicker the
cleanup, the less likely that your rug will sustain
permanent staining.
House train your dog or cat. Urine stains usually
cannot be removed and the pets can do a great
amount of damage by chewing your treasured
weaving.
Do not allow the rugs to get wet. If they do get
wet, make sure that they dry in the shortest
possible time. A "wet vacuum" and a fan can
help.
Do not allow any prolonged moisture to
penetrate the rug. An example would be a
flower pot set on the rug, thereby causing dry
rot or mildew damage.
Have your rugs cleaned when noticeably dirty
and only by a specialist with a thorough
knowledge of Oriental and other area rugs and
carpets. Do not have the Oriental rugs or
carpets "drycleaned", "steam cleaned" or
cleaned by any automated means.
Have any fraying tears or other damage
repaired immediately. If a torn or damaged area
is allowed to continue fraying, it can greatly
decrease the beauty and value of your
rug. Remember that quality restoration can
save many dollars in future repair costs and also
serves to retain the beauty and value of your
oriental rug.


Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 9

Removing Stains
Wool Rugs Maintenance
The following are instructions for maintaining your rug:
Vacuum regularly; at least once a week. You should empty vacuum bag when half full.
Wet clean as required; generally not more than once every two years, preferably by a professional carpet
cleaner.
Cope with stains immediately. Move quickly. The sooner the stain is properly treated, the less the chance of
permanent damage.
Techniques on cleaning stains:
DO IT QUICKLY.
Blot up excess moisture. DO NOT RUB.
Apply antidote from the following list with a clean cloth, working from edges to center. DO NOT SOAK.
Blot up excess antidote with clean dry cloth. Dry with fan or hair dryer.
Restore direction of pile with a soft brush.

STAIN TREATMENTS FOR WOOL RUGS
Acids Detergent / Vinegar
Alcoholic Beverages Detergent / Vinegar / Cleaning Solvent
Bleach Detergent / Vinegar
Blood Detergent / Vinegar / Starch Paste
Butter Cleaning Solvent
Candle Wax / Crayon Absorbent Paper and Warm Iron
Chewing Gum Freeze with Ice / Scrape / Solvent
Chocolate Detergent / Vinegar / Cleaning Solvent
Coffee Glycerin
Cola / Soft Drink Warm Water / Detergent

Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 10

Cosmetics Detergent / Vinegar / Cleaning Solvent
Cooking Oil Cleaning Solvent / Detergent
Egg Detergent
Fruit Juices Cold Water / Detergent
Furniture Polish Cleaning Solvent / Detergent / Ammonia
Gravy / Sauces Warm Water / Detergent
Grease / Oil Cleaning Solvent / Detergent
Ice Cream / Milk Warm Water / Solvent / Detergent
Ink (Ball Point) Cleaning Solvent / Alcohol / Detergent
Iodine Alcohol
Mildew Call a reputable cleaner
Mud Detergent
Nail Polish Clear Polish Remover / Cleaning Solvent
Paint (Latex) Detergent / Ammonia / Cleaning Solvent
Paint (Oil) Alcohol / Cleaning Solvent / Detergent
Rust Solvent / Detergent / Rust Remover
Salad Dressing Detergent / Cleaning Solvent
Shoe Polish Cleaning Solvent / Detergent
Tar Cleaning Solvent
Tea Cold Water / Detergent / Solvent
Urine Detergent / Vinegar
Vomit Detergent / Vinegar / Cleaning Solvent
Wine Absorbent Powder / Cold Water / Detergent


Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 11



Detergent Solution: One teaspoon clear dish washing soap in one cup warm water.
Ammonia Solution: One tablespoon clear ammonia in 1/2 cup water.
Vinegar Solution: 1/3 cup white vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
Solvent: A drycleaning solvent (available at hardware and grocery stores)
Silk Rugs Maintenance
Protect your silk carpet from heavy use and soiling. A silk carpet is a luxury and should be treated accordingly.
Lightly vacuum as needed. Avoid catching the fringe in the vacuum.
Inspect your carpet regularly for wear and damage. By turning the carpet frequently, regulate its use to evenly
distribute wear.
If the carpet has sustained structural damage such as holes through the carpet, worn pile, or tattered fringes
and edges contact an Oriental rug repair specialist.
If your carpet becomes stained follow these instructions:
1. Work fast.
2. Blot up excess spill using paper towels or a clean cloth. Do not rub the affected area.
3. If the area is not stained, dry it with a fan or hair blower. Restore the pile's direction with a clothes brush.
4. If the area has borne a stain, contact an Oriental rug repair specialist.


Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 12

Rug Revelations
"You want to look for basically the same thing you
would in buying carpet," summarizes Barbra Wilson,
technical information manager for the Carpet and Rug
Institute. Wilson makes these suggestions: Look for rugs
that feature a dense construction. You dont want to
see your floor, or carpet, easily through the fiber.
Choose a shorter pile for a hightraffic area; a taller pile
height for a lowtraffic area. Make sure to secure the
rug so that it does not slide. There are two kinds of
nonskid mats: One for hard surfaces, such as hardwood
floors or linoleum; and one for rugs on top of carpet.
If youre using an area rug as the focal point of a room,
consider buying a rug with a medallion shape in the
center. Repetitive patterns are better for floors in front
of fireplaces or bay windows. Simpler patterns contrast
well with ornate wallpaper or furniture upholstery. Feel
free to have two different patterns of area rug in the
same room, as long as the patterns complement each
other. Bring samples of wallpaper or paint when
shopping for new area rugs.
Interior designers suggest three basic methods of
decorating with area rugs: The focal point method (use
of an eyecatching rug as the foundation of your interior
for rooms with relatively neutral decor); the accessory
method (use of a delicately patterned rug as an
accessory to a busy interior, with colors that blend well
with existing paint, furniture, and other design
elements); and the practical method (use of darker
colors and sturdier fabrics for hightraffic areas, lighter
colors for an open an airy look, deeper colors for a
cozier feel, etc.). Large area rugs go well in living rooms,
kitchens, and large bedrooms, while smaller area rugs
work best in foyers, hallways and bathrooms. Rugs
placed under tables should be larger than the table
itself, ideally with an equal amount of border showing
on all sides.


Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 13

Oriental Rug Care
Rotating frequently your rugs to equalize the damaging
affects of the sun. Because continual direct exposure to
sunlight will damage a rug over time, use window
shades, shutters, or heavy curtains to safeguard your
investment.
Protect your rugs from Fumes and Dampness from
furnaces, stoves, chimneys and auto exhaust can mix
with humidity in the atmosphere to form an acid that
fades and deteriorates the appearance of wool. Over
time, dampness will rot the threads and destroy the
fibers of a rug. Keep them in a dry environment.
Wear and tear: If a rug is cut or torn, have a competent
person repair the damage as soon as possible. Holes can
expand very quickly and ruin an otherwise repairable
carpet. With ordinary use, the selvage edges tend to
fray as they are not as compressed as the rug pile. Worn
edges can easily be redrawn. Fringes can be replaced.
Worn or damaged areas in the middle of a rug can be
reknotted. Even large holes can be restored. (Although
this kind of work is rather expensive.) To repair a less
valuable rug, a patch from a similar rug can be woven
into the damaged area. Sometimes a serviceable small
rug can be made from the undamaged portions of a
large carpet.
Moths can cause extensive damage to Oriental rugs;
however, a carpet in normal use is rarely in danger from
moths. Frequent rotation and regular exposure to light
and air usually keeps moths at bay. Not only do moths
eat the pile, but they can also eat the knots on the back
of a rug. Moths are especially attracted to areas under
furniture that remain relatively undisturbed. Eliminate
these pests and safeguard against their return by
spraying the front and back of a carpet every six months
with moth spray.
Padding an Oriental rug the life can be doubled with the
use of goodquality padding. Padding protects the rug,
especially in heavilytrafficked areas. The best padding
is made of hair or fiber with a rubberized surface to
prevent moving and wrinkling. Avoid synthetic pad that
takes on the appearance of rubber as it turns to an
abrasive powder after several years.
Cleaning: The beauty and life of Oriental rugs are vitally
dependent on their cleanliness. Lack of maintenance
will contribute to loss in the potential investment.
Sweeping the rug with a broom at least once a week
removes loose soil and brings out it's natural sheen
Beating is one of the best methods for cleaning a rug. It
should be beaten several times on each side, always in
dry weather.
Vacuuming: Try to use a low suction level and a new
bag. Never vacuum against the nap, as this presses dirt
back into the rug. (Run your hand across the pile from
fringe to fringe to determine the direction of the nap.)
Do not vacuum the fringes. The suction of a powerful
vacuum cleaner can tear the fringe.
Washing: Oriental rugs should be washed every three
to five years, depending on their use and the amount of
traffic they endure. Using steamcleaning or chemicals
on an Oriental rug removes the natural oils from the
wool. The pile becomes brittle, and the carpet wears
out sooner. Do not, unless absolutely necessary,
submerge an Oriental rug in water. Surface cleaning is
usually all that is required.
Crushed pile: Revive carpet pile that has been crushed
by heavy furniture by brushing the indented area with a
soft brush. Moisten with a spray bottle, and brush
again.
Hanging: Do not use nails or staples to hang a large and
heavy rug for long periods of time. Before hanging a
carpet on the wall, be certain that the warp threads can
stand the strain. Use a strong poster holder to distribute
the weight of the rug evenly across.

Oriental Rugs Guide by Al Rug Page 14

Storage: If a rug must be stored, it must be inspected
regularly. To store a rug, wrap it in fabric. An Oriental
rug needs to breathe. It can rot or mildew in plastic. A
rug can be rolled up and stored in a chest with some
paradichlorobenzene crystals, which make the wool
inedible to moths. Renew the mothproofing every few
months. Large carpets should be rolled around poles
with the protruding ends resting on blocks or trestles.
DO NOT lay carpets flat on top of one another for any
length of time. A rug stored in a damp or humid area
will mildew, which discolors and weakens the fibers. A
hot or poorly ventilated storage area will dry out the
base of the rug, making it brittle, destroying strength
and durability. If you act immediately, you can prevent
virtually any spill from becoming a stain.
By following the about mentioned hints your carpet will
give you many years of enjoyment.