Frequently Asked Questions
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FAQ
VINTAGE RUGS
Why should I buy a vintage rug?
For so many reasons! Rug purists love that vintage rugs honor a rich tradition of artisan tapestry makers who meticulously weave and knot a rug by hand. Some purchase vintage because they favor the authenticity and elegance of a gently faded, worn-in look that distinguishes it from “vintage-like” new rugs that have been artificially faded. It’s also viewed as a way to reduce our carbon footprint by reclaiming a rug that is still in perfectly usable condition.
Regardless of the reason, the age and history of a vintage rug make a beautiful statement piece. The traditional handwoven, naturally-dyed process is labor intensive, but produces a rug that in the end is durable and ages gracefully.
What’s the difference between vintage and antique?
While both terms refer to an item that is old, there are differences. “Antique” refers to an item that is more than 100 years old. This is also the legal definition that US Customs uses.
According to most experts, “vintage” (sometimes also referred to as semi-antique) is used to describe something that’s at least 20 years old, but less than 100 years old. It’s not antique yet, but still a long-treasured piece that has been carefully worn and stood the test of time. We’re sure that with proper care, our vintage rugs will become antique pieces that your family will treasure for years to come.
My rug has an imperfection. Why?
As vintage pieces, our rugs have natural wear and tear, but we think these imperfections only add to the beauty and timelessness of the rug. You may notice slight discolorations on the underside of the rug, but we ensure that the front-facing design of the rug meets all our standards for quality and does not detract from the overall aesthetic. Vintage rugs that have any markings apart from natural wear and tear (e.g., any small markings or stains) will have additional notes on the product's page. If you have concerns, please contact us at hello@kirmenrugs.com
What are the white areas/ patches that are visible on some of the rugs?
These are gently worn-in areas which expose the rug’s foundation, but they’re not threadbare nor do they compromise the structure of the rug. This distressed element both looks timeless and enhances the piece’s fine construction.
Why does my rug have white dots?
Some vintage rugs have visible tie-offs that look like white dots.They are part of the handmade process and occur where weavers tie off strings from the warp that can break during hand-weaving. They do not compromise the integrity of the rug in any way, and can be more pronounced with low-pile shaven rugs.
What are the zig-zag marks that appear on some rugs?
Zig-zag marks, not uncommon on vintage rugs, are from the rug’s original construction and reflect tie-offs of the cotton foundation/weft. When present, they indicate that the rug was most likely woven by several people who consistently worked on the rug to completion. The weavers most likely handled the weaving within their own designated section, rather than changing their seated position multiple times as they moved across horizontally to knot the rug. The subsequent knots with zig-zag patterns show where the cotton thread was reconnected between each pass-off between weavers.
RUG CARE
What’s the best way to care for my rug?
For Turkish rugs:
With regular care, your rug will last for decades to come. If you’ve owned synthetic rugs in the past, you might find that our wool rugs actually look cleaner for longer periods of time. Wool rugs have tiny natural grooves that allow dirt to settle in. In contrast, the plastics in a synthetic rug prevent the dirt from moving downward into the rug—not necessarily a good thing.
We recommend that you regularly vacuum your rug to remove dirt and grime. Depending on how heavily your rug is used, just once or twice a month is adequate. Too much vacuuming can wear down the knots and fibers more quickly. If you have a suction attachment on your vacuum cleaner, use that instead of a rotary vacuum. Every few months, you’ll also want to flip your rug over and vacuum the back to get the grit out of the foundation of the rug. It also helps to rotate your rug once a year to ensure even wear over time.
Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed. Please do not take it to get steam or dry cleaned—this will almost certainly damage the rug! Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
For Moroccan rugs:
Dust and dirt that accumulate in your rug can erode the fibers over time. The best way to combat this is to take your rug outside and give it a good shake once a week. Depending on how large it is, you may need to recruit a friend to help. Also, be sure to get a rug pad—this helps to preserve your rug in spite of dirt.
If shaking it out isn’t possible, you can vacuum it instead—just be cautious, and don’t use a rotary vacuum, because it can damage the fibers. Once or twice a month, use the suction attachment gently, from side to side. Once or twice a year, flip your rug over and vacuum the back.
Once a year, let it sunbathe. Hang it in the sun for a few hours when it’s hottest, and flip it over midway through, to expose both sides to direct sunlight. This sun-bleaching helps further sanitize the wool. It’s a natural method to bleach and deodorize it.
To ensure equal wear and protect against walk patterns, change your rug's direction periodically. You can also flip your rug upside-down once in awhile, and use it like that for a bit. With Moroccan rugs, the back is typically as nice as the front.
Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed with a Moroccan rug expert. Please do not take it to get steam or dry cleaned—this will almost certainly damage the rug! Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
Why should I avoid using a rotary vacuum?
The beater bars in a rotary vacuum (that rolling cylinder brush at the bottom) pry into the carpet fibers by pulling on the rug, thereby loosening dirt more efficiently. While this may sound great, the result is actually increased shedding, possible damage to the wool fibers, and reduced rug lifespan. It’s especially important to avoid vacuuming the fringes using a vacuum with a beater bar, as the bar will pull the fringes and may cause unevenness in the weave overtime—it’s similar to what happens when a thread on your wool sweater gets caught on your nail!
Should I steam or dry clean my rug?
Please do not do this! While it may sound like a great deep cleanse, it could irreversibly damage your rug. Imagine for a moment all the dirt that is trapped inside the grooves of the rug. Now imagine forcing steam into these grooves. The result is a muddy mess. Not only that, the combination of high heat and chemicals will strip the wool fibers of their natural oils. It’s better to find a location that will hand-wash your rug with a pH-balanced shampoo and a soft-bristled brush. It’s the traditional way to clean a wool rug, and it will help maintain the rug’s luster.
I spilled something on my rug! What do I do?
Don’t fret too much—the natural oils in a wool rug, called lanolin, provide the first line of defense in preventing spills from penetrating the fibers quickly. That being said, you still should act quickly.
For Hand-Knotted Rugs
If the spill is organic and non-oily (e.g., wine), use a paper towel or cloth to blot the liquid. Add some clean water sparingly to the spot to dilute the stain (or wet a paper towel or cloth) and blot. Repeat this process until the stain is removed.
If the stain is persistent, resist the urge to scrub. Scrubbing can damage the wool fibers and more easily allow the stain to penetrate. You may try using a mild detergent, such as very diluted dishwashing soap, following the same blot-and-rinse procedure.
If the spill is a denser, more oily liquid, try first to scoop what you can from the surface using a spoon or perhaps some heavier paper, and then do the blot-and-rinse. If the spill is non-organic and/or composed of chemical substances, or the above methods don’t work, we suggest getting the rug professionally hand-washed as soon as possible.
For Flatweaves
Blot the spill until it is dry, but do not add liquid. Consult an Oriental rug specialist immediately for cleaning. Adding liquid can make it harder to remove stains, and can even extend them further. This is because moisture travels along the fiber, so in rugs with horizontal fibers (like flatweaves), it can get trapped.
You can read our article for more information.
Do I need a rug pad?
We strongly recommend it, especially for flatweaves, which can become slippery (and dangerous) without one. A good-quality rug pad will help extend the life of your rug. Rug pads keep rugs stationary, ensuring they don’t rub unnecessarily along the floor. Having a rug pad will also allow for more noise absorption in the room, and give the rug a more cushioned, plusher feel under your feet. There are dozens of options available, from thick to thin, made of all sorts of non-skid materials.
We offer a Rug Pad that’s 1/8” thick made of recycled felt and natural rubber (so that it doesn't damage your floors). The rug pad comes in various sizes and may be trimmed to fit your rug. Please note that our rug pads cannot be returned for hygienic reasons, unless there is a product defect. You may refer to our returns policy for more details.
ORDERING
Can I cancel my order?
We completely get it, we change our minds too! While we wish could, once an order is placed, we are unable to alter or cancel it at this time. We hope to have a cancellation window one day in the future.
Should the item(s) not work out, make sure to exchange for a preferred style or return for a refund.As a reminder, return shipping is chargeable.
Can I return my order?
Yes, you can return your order. But the shipping cost of the product belongs to the buyer. For more information, you can read the Return Policy.
Do you fulfill custom orders?
Yeah! We love working with interior designers, designers and architects! If you are interested in sourcing carpets for your next project, you can also email us at hello@kirmenrugs.com.
SHIPPING & RETURNS
For information about our shipping and return policy click here