How do I clean a wool rug?

Regular gentle vacuuming without a beater bar removes surface grit and dust. Professional specialist cleaning is necessary for deep washing to protect the natural wool pile and cotton foundation. Avoid harsh chemical treatments or excessive water immersion at home. Proper drying prevents shrinkage and distortion of the heavy geometric field.

Where should I place a runner?

Runners suit narrow hallways, entryways and corridors where traditional room carpets are too wide. Their robust construction handles high foot traffic while adding warmth to transitional spaces. Ensure you use a suitable underlay to prevent slipping on smooth wooden or tiled floors. This also protects the cotton foundation from uneven wear.

Are these rugs suitable for dining rooms?

Large room-size Persian carpets provide a stable, durable foundation underneath dining tables. The heavy wool pile resists crushing from chair legs and absorbs sound effectively. Choose dimensions that allow chairs to remain on the rug when pulled out. Dark indigo grounds help conceal minor daily debris from dining.

How do I tell Serapi from Heriz?

Serapi carpets typically display slightly coarser knotting, larger scale designs and a more open field than standard Heriz weaves. They often date to the nineteenth century and feature softer, highly prized dye patination. Heriz pieces generally present denser geometric ornamentation and more rigid rectilinear borders. Both share the same fundamental wool-on-cotton village construction.