How do I clean a vintage decorative carpet?

Professional specialist cleaning is essential for older wool and cotton textiles to prevent dye migration and fibre damage. Regular gentle vacuuming without a beater bar removes surface dust safely. Avoid household detergents and excess moisture, which compromise natural lanolin in the wool pile. Consult a specialist experienced in antique oriental carpets for seasonal maintenance.

Can I place these carpets in high traffic areas?

Many room-sized carpets possess sturdy wool pile and solid cotton foundations suited to everyday domestic use. Placing a quality underlay beneath the textile prevents slipping and cushions the fibres against floor friction. Finer or more fragile flatweaves and older room carpets benefit from placement in lower traffic zones or wall mounting. Assessing the pile depth and foundation strength guides proper placement in the home.

How do I identify a Heriz carpet?

Heriz carpets typically feature bold geometric central medallions set against terracotta or brick-red fields. The robust wool and durable cotton foundations withstand heavy wear, distinguishing them from finer curvilinear city pieces. Corner spandrels often display contrasting ivory or navy tones filled with stylised botanical motifs. The distinctive geometric drawing stems from village workshops in northwestern Persia.

What is the difference between a rug and a carpet?

Carpets generally refer to larger room-sized floor coverings designed to anchor an entire furniture arrangement. Rugs denote smaller formats such as area rugs, prayer rugs, or tribal scatter pieces. Both categories share identical construction techniques using hand-knotted pile or flatweave structures. Size and intended architectural scale remain the primary distinguishing factors.