How do I clean an antique rug?

Gentle surface brushing and professional specialist washing remove embedded grit without damaging natural wool fibres or historic dyes. Avoid harsh chemical detergents and mechanical scrubbing. Regular light vacuuming without a rotating beater bar prevents dust accumulation in the pile between specialist cleans.

Can I use a runner in a hallway?

Long narrow formats fit naturally along corridors and narrow entrance spaces to protect wooden flooring while adding colour. Placing an appropriate underlay beneath the textile prevents slipping and reduces wear. High-traffic areas benefit from rotating the piece periodically to distribute foot pressure evenly across the length.

What is the difference between tribal and city rugs?

Nomadic and village weavers produced tribal rugs from memory, resulting in geometric motifs, irregular borders and expressive designs. City workshops followed precise cartoons drawn by master designers to create symmetrical floral carpets. Materials and knot counts also reflect this divide, with village pieces often displaying heavier hand-spun wool and coarser structures.

How do I identify the age of a rug?

Examination of the dyes, wool preparation, knot structure and wear patterns provides clues to the manufacturing period. Natural dyes and hand-spun wool point toward nineteenth and early twentieth-century production. Structural details and specific regional motifs help narrow down the decade and origin of the piece.