How do you clean an old kilim?

Never put them in a washing machine or use harsh carpet shampoos. The natural dyes can bleed into adjacent pale areas. Vacuum both sides on a low suction setting without a beater brush. If a spill happens, blot it quickly with a dry cloth and consult a specialist rug cleaner for the stain.

I just inherited a large patterned rug and I want to hang it on the wall, but I am worried about the weight damaging the top edge over time. How should I do it?

Nailing them directly to the wall will tear the weave. The concentrated pressure on individual warp threads causes the fibres to snap under the weight. Stitch a heavy cotton casing strip along the entire top edge of the back. You can then insert a wooden batten or metal rod through this sleeve. The rod takes the weight and distributes it evenly across the whole width.

Can I put furniture on them?

Castors and sharp chair legs will puncture the flatweave structure. Once a thread breaks, a hole develops rapidly. Use wide rubber floor protectors under the feet. Always lift heavy items rather than dragging them across the surface.

We have underfloor heating in our sitting room and we were wondering if the constant warmth rising from below will dry out the wool or cause the rug to shrink?

Underfloor heating can dry out the natural lanolin in the wool over several years. This makes the fibres brittle and more prone to snapping under heavy foot traffic. You need a good quality rug underlay designed specifically for heated floors. This barrier protects the textile from direct heat while stopping it from slipping around on hard surfaces. Rotate the piece every few months. This ensures any environmental stress affects the whole surface evenly.

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Antique Kilim Rugs

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Flat-woven textiles produced without a knotted pile, antique kilim rugs served originally as floor coverings, tent hangings, and storage bags for nomadic tribes across the Middle East and Central Asia.