Moving & Storing Oriental Rugs / Persian Rugs

Those of us who are lucky enough to own handmade oriental rugs truly know the presence they bring to a room. The charming pieces of décor are as beautiful as they are delicate. We at abbeyWood Moving & Storage Toronto would like to extend our knowledge and expertise in storing oriental rugs and provide a few simple tips in rug maintenance.
Authentic, handmade oriental rugs require special care. It is especially true for antiques. The best way to move and store an oriental rug is flat. Since rugs are very large and flimsy it is almost impossible to accomplish this. When the rug is too large the correct method to move or store a rug is by rolling the rug tight enough to hold but loose enough to prevent creases. I have personally been on moves where customers have insisted on folding their antique rugs. This is a bad technique because the bends can weaken the foundation and break it if brittle. Over time the bends will cause creases. Creases can be rubbed by hand or ironed out with the cotton/wool setting. To find the correct direction to press the crease out, rub your hand across the pile towards the fringe, you will feel smooth one way, and roughness the opposite. Always iron the rug in its original direction and not against it. Another simple technique is to gently pull one end of the rug overtop towards the other in the direction of the pile, a shake or two can help in removing creases.

Pile in or Pile out when rolling? First Consider: the condition of pile, if it is knotted, silk or fragile, foundation condition, are there splits or breaks? Is it brittle? These factors will help you decide which side to roll inwards. The pile is generally more vulnerable than the foundation, so in most circumstances we roll rugs with the pile facing inwards. If the foundation is weak or if a lining has been sewn in we may reverse this. Lining will always wrinkle so it is better to have that wrinkle than the pile wrinkle. Be sure to roll in the direction of the pile instead of against the pile to prevent abrading the pile and stressing knots. Rolling around a support tube is recommended. Acid-free archival tubes are the best of choice and are used in museums and galleries alike. The tubing is expensive and runs about $2.00 per foot. A more common technique is to get a 3” cardboard rug tube and cover it with acid free paper such as Tyvek. By using plastic or tough synthetic paper such as “Tyvek’ the rug is protected from acidic chemicals, insects, and moisture. Do not use Traditional newspaper as it often contains acidic chemicals. Getting he roll started is often difficult if done alone and lining it up perfect can be challenging. Take excess paper and tape it to the roll to provide a guide. This way when you roll it will catch under the paper and also line up straight. The perfect material to finish off your roll is a layer of muslin. It is a good dust and light barrier that will not harm your rug. Place the muslin near the end of the carpet so when you roll it hooks in. the muslin should be long enough to wrap around the carpet 2-3 times and fold into the tubing from the edges. Many Museums now use clear polyethylene instead of muslin because it adds flood water and insect protection. When storing oriental rugs for more than a few months it is advised to have them professionally cleaned, and sprayed with insecticides. It is also recommended to obtain an appraisal so that professional movers have the item covered under their transit protection plan.
Post Move Tips:
-Try to keep the rug out of sunlight. Rotate your rug every season to allow even fading from light. It also ensures that the rug receives even wear from traffic.
-Repair any damage before the problem spreads. Have a specialist re-fringe, over-round, or reweave your rug to maintain its appearance.
-Place pads or cushion underneath to protect from wear and tear. Thin rugs benefit greatly from the added protection.
-Vacuum both sides push and pull over the entire rug except the fringes. Be gentle to apply enough force to clean, but not damage. If the vacuum has a rotating beater brush it can damage the rug.
-Clean spills immediately. Do not use soap or bleach. Spotless Turkish towels and club soda work wonders.
-If the fringe needs straightening flip it end over end by grabbing one side and walking it to the other. Do not use a comb. When the rug is upside-down the fringe usually straightens out. A shake or two may help straighten the fringe.
-Deep-cleaning and insect sprays will prolong the lifespan of your rug. Once every year or two is recommended
-Always keep your rug dry

Turco-Persian Rug Co. Ltd. is a great local GTA business that can offer cleaning, repair, and appraisal services in addition to rug sales.
Rolled rugs at abbeyWoods warehouse are placed into dedicated carpet storage