There’s absolutely no denying the timeless home décor appeal of oriental rugs, and it’s safe to say that this rug style is going absolutely nowhere within the grand scheme of today’s interior design trends.
But it’s also safe to say that most rug shoppers get easily confused when trying to narrow down their top options. The rug world is complex, and Oriental styles are often difficult to navigate.
It’s normal to have questions about things like rug cleaning/maintenance, composition and overall style. This is why we’re providing this list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answering them for you.
So if you’re interested in purchasing a new Oriental rug but aren’t quite sure where to begin, check out the following sections to see if your questions are answered!
What Exactly Is An Oriental Rug?
Most rug shoppers assume that Oriental rugs are basically rugs that come from Asian countries, but this doesn’t necessarily paint the full picture.
Oriental rugs are technically a rug style, which means that they can actually be made anywhere around the world. What actually differentiates Oriental rugs from other area rug styles is how the rugs are made and the designs that they feature.
Construction features like depressed warps, warp threads, weft threads, symmetrical/asymmetrical knots, fringe construction, and knots per square inch are all important to keep in mind when defining what Oriental rugs technically are!
Where Are Oriental Rugs Made?
Although Oriental rugs can technically be made anywhere, there are certain countries that specialize in exporting this rug style.
Places like Iran, China, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Tibet, and many other countries are the top producers of Oriental rugs. It’s also important to remember that the specific origin of an Oriental rug will likely influence its overall aesthetics and design theme.
Oriental rugs come in many different shapes and sizes, so there’s no denying that you’ll have countless options to choose from when shopping online!
What’s The Difference Between Persian Rugs And Oriental Rugs?
Persian rugs technically are one style within the broad classification of Oriental rugs, but there are some distinctions that rug shoppers should be aware of.
Many Persian rugs utilize unique knotting techniques, and many Persian rug artisans will use different looms as compared to artisans who specialize in different Oriental rug styles.
But the main difference between Persian rugs and other Oriental rugs is that Persian rugs originate from Iran.
What Materials Are Oriental Rugs Made Of?
Oriental rugs are renowned throughout the home décor industry for featuring top-quality materials and construction techniques, but the materials used in Oriental rugs widely vary depending upon style and place of origin.
Wool is by far the most common material used in Oriental rugs, but other natural fibers like cotton and silk are featured in Oriental rug construction as well. In modern times, many Oriental rugs are also made from synthetic materials like polyester, polypropylene and nylon.
What Loom Types Are Utilized In Making Oriental Rugs?
Oriental rugs are either made with a horizontal or vertical loom.
Some popular rug styles that are made with a horizontal loom include flatwoven rugs like Dhurrie, Kilim and Soumak styles.
The vast majority of hand-knotted area rugs are made with vertical looms, and the most popular knot techniques associated with vertical looms include the Ghourides and Senneh knots.
What Can Rug Shoppers Do With Old Oriental Rugs?
There are countless ways to repurpose an old or outdated Oriental area rug, and some popular ideas include:
- Upholster a chair
- Make pillows
- Re-frame part of the area rug that isn’t damaged/outdated
It’s also possible to sell an old Oriental rug if you’re the rug’s owner, but it’s likely that this sales process will be pretty complicated. You can also consider donating your aged Oriental rug, which can sometimes even lead to a tax write-off.
In order to get a write-off, you’ll need to get the rug professionally appraised and receive a special IRS form.
Can Oriental Rugs Go In Washing Machines?
The vast majority of rug experts don’t recommend placing authentic Oriental rugs in washing machines. However, many newer rug businesses do advertise this with their products, so you’ll need to confirm whether or not your specific rug can be machine-washed.
This is why it’s always a good idea to double-check your rug’s cleaning and upkeep capabilities with the manufacturer or the outlet that you purchased from.
There are scenarios in which area rugs get permanently wrinkled after being put in washing machines, so be careful before making this somewhat extreme cleaning decision!
Is Baking Soda Safe For Oriental Rug Cleaning?
It’s possible to shampoo and use baking soda on an Oriental rug, but rug owners should be very careful and understand what materials their rug is made of.
For example, if your rug is made of a synthetic material like polypropylene, you’ll be able to use a harsher cleaning product. But if your rug is made of a natural fiber like wool, you could ruin your entire rug by using a harsh cleaner.
Contact Rug Source When Searching Online For High-Quality Oriental Rugs!
Oriental rug purchases are significant home décor investments, which is why it’s important to get your questions answered by industry specialists before pulling the trigger on a new rug.
The above FAQs are just a tiny glimpse into what might possibly be on your mind while you’re browsing the internet for Oriental rugs, and one of the top online rug outlets in the United States is Rug Source, Inc. because of their great customer service and shipping policies.
Do you have more questions about Oriental rugs? Check out the link at the top of the page and speak directly with the Rug Source experts today!