History & Cleaning

It is generally supposed that Turkish rugs first came to be known in Italy and the rest of the western world after the sack of Constantinople in 1204, during the Fourth Crusade. But it is only in the 14th century that they first appear in Western painting. By that time, trading concessions had been granted and travel by foreign merchants in Turkey was well established.

The frequent presence of Turkish rugs in Western paintings between the 14th and 17th centuries and their mention in the inventories and wills of European royalty and nobility testify to their importance as symbols of status and objects of great aesthetic merit and exotic appeal. They were described by writers and travellers such as Marco Polo, coveted and collected by powerful monarchs like Henry VIII of England, and depicted by painters such as Fra Angelico, Van Eyck, Memling, Mantegna, Crivelli, Bellini, Lotto, Holbein, Tintoretto, Rubens, Van Dyck, Brueghel, Metsu and many others.

Rugs were initially reproduced at the feet of saints and Madonnas in order to define and enhance their aura. The rarity and aesthetic diversity of the rugs was used to underline the holiness and uniqueness of the Gods and semi-Gods of the Christian pantheon. In the same way in the 16th century, the depiction of rugs at the feet of kings and princes was a clear signal of the uniqueness of their secular power. Rugs also start appearing on tables or in the background of portraits of the rich and powerful as symbols of wealth and acquired social status, the depth of colour and complexity of pattern frequently contrasting with the austere attires of the period.

In the 17th century, Turkish rugs appeared in the fashionable still lives which glorified symbols of wealth including textiles, precious objects in gold, silver and glass, musical instruments and food, and at the same time underlined the vanity, uselessness and tragedy of human desire and lust for riches. It can be seen from literary evidence that 'Turkey carpets', as they were generally termed, were extremely expensive and only affordable to the very few. They were knotted in professional workshops under the supervision of master weavers in different centres in Anatolia, and were bought by western merchants who would subsequently sell them for very high sums. The great fashion for the eastern rug in the West started to wane in the 18th century, due in part to the decadence of production and its diffusion in Europe. Love for the exotic and the building of museums in the 19th century caused a reawakening in appreciation in the West of arts from other cultures, and the oriental rug regained its importance.

Vacuuming
The most important step in caring for your carpet is vacuuming. Vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high traffice areas. Bear in mind that walking on soiled carpet permits the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles from the surface before this happens.

For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. Those areas with heavier traffic require that the traffic lanes be vacuumed daily and the entire area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas.

Vacuum Cleaner Recommendations

1. Use a vacuum with a rotating brush which agitates the carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil for the vacuum to remove.
2. Carpet with thick loop pile construction may be sensitive to brushing, rubbing, or scraping of the pile surface which may cause fuzzing and pile distortation. It is recommended that vacuums with suction action only be used on these styles. If vacuums with brushes, bristle, or strips are used, test in an inconspicuous area to make certain the carpet will not be damaged.
3. Vacuums with top-loading bags are preferred over bottom-loading bags. The former helps to ensure that the vacuum does not lose effectiveness as the bag fills. Replaceable paper bags do a better job of trapping extremely small particles; cloth bags often allow these particles to pass through the bag and back into the air. Bags should be checked frequently and replaced when 1/2 to 2/3 full.
4. Make sure the belt is in good condition and that the beater actually rotates when in contact with the carpet. Adjust the height of the vacuum cleaner by raising the beater/brush bar to the highest setting, then lower the bar until it contacts the pile enough to vibrate the carpet slightly several inches away from the machine, but not close enough to to cause significant slowing of the moter. Vacuuming across the traffic pattern occasionally, rather thatn in the usual direction of the traffic, will prevent matting.

A good vacuum cleaner is vital to prolong the life of your carpet. An inexpensive machine will remove surface dirt but will not effectively remove the hidden dirt and particles embedded in the pile.

Spot and Spill Removal

All carpet care procedures mentioned thus far hav been planned; spot and stain removal is the reaction to an unplanned incident. Therefore, it is desirable to have the materials needed to treat stains on hand. You may have some of these on your kitchen shelf.

Do not use any household cleaners other than those listed, since many household products contain chemicals that may permanently damage your carpet.

PLEASE NOTE: NO CARPET IS ABSOLUTELY STAIN PROOF. SOME CARPETS HAVE STAIN RESISTANT TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO CLEAN UP STAINS, NOT PREVENT STAINS.

General Instructions

No carpet is stainproof, although many are treated to be stain resistant which allows you the time to act to correct the problem. Absorb as much liquid as possible - quickly - with white paper towels, replacing them as they become saturated. Use a blotting action, never a scrubbing motion, to prevent fuzzing the carpet surface. Remove as much of food spills as possible by gently scraping with a spoon or dull knife. Always follow up with water to remove detergent residue that my become sticky and cause rapid resoiling.

The following recommendatiions should be used for spot cleaning. The numbers are keyed to the stain, and all instructions should be used in the recommended sequence. Some statins are marked PRO, indicating that professional knowledge and equipment are necessary.

A. WATER SOLUBLE STAINS - Absorb as much as possible with white paper towels. Apply detergent solution made of 1/2 teaspoon (no more) of a clear liquid dishwashing detergent in a quart of water. A spray bottle is a convenient way to store this. Blot repeatedly with the white paper towels. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

A-1. As above, but treat with white vinegar, one part white vinegar to one part water, before using detergent.

A-2. As in A., but treat with household ammonia, one tablespoon of ammonia to one cup water, before using detergent.

B. GREASE - Blot as much as possible with white paper towels. Apply commercial solvent such as Carbona, Energine, or K2R to towels or spotting cloth and repeat blotting. Use sparingly! Do not pour or spray directly on the carpet pile as damage to the backing or adhesive underneath may result; apply the solvent to the towels to transport it to the carpet. Repeat as much as necessary. Protective gloves should be worn, as the solvent will quickly rmoe oils from the skin and may result in irritaiton. Provide adequate ventilation! Do not use flammable solvents! Follow with procedures in A.

C. FREEZE - Stains such as chewing gum and candle wax with ice or commercially available products in aerosol can. Shatter with blunt object.

PRO - Professional Cleaner
Specific Stain Removal Procedures
Alcoholic Beverages - A - Asphalt - B,PRO - Beert - A - Berries - A - Blood,wet - A - Blood,dry - A-2 - Butter - A - Chewing Gum - C - Chocolate - A-2 - Coffee - A-1,PRO - Cola Drinks - A - Cosmetics - A - Crayon - B - Deicer(Calcium Chloride) - Vacuum,A - Excrement - A - Food Dyes - A - Furtiture Polish - A,B,PRO - Grease(Auto) - B,PRO - Grease(Food) - A - Ink(Ballpoint) - B,PRO - Ink(Permanent) - B,PRO - Ink(Washable) - A,PRO - Libstick - B - Milk - A - Mustard - A - Nail Polish - Polish remover(non-oily) - Paint - Latex, wet - A - Paint - Latex, dry - B - Paint - Oil - B,PRO - Rust - PRO - Tea - A - Urine - A-1,PRO - Vomit - A-1 - Wax - C - Wine - A-2

WARNING
Certain products found in most berries can cause irreparable damage to your carpet. Bleaches, tile cleaners, mildew removers, oven cleaners, and drain openers are very strong chemicals that can discolor or dissolve carpet fibers. Acne medications containing benoyle peroxide, a very powerful bleach, are cabable of permanently damaging your carpet and most other fabrics as well.