Persian Carpets – their history and care

Persian rugs and carpets are much sought after and usually very expensive. A genuine Persian rug will be a testament to the art of the carpet weavers which is said to have originated in Iran originated more than 2500 years ago.

Originally they were created out of need rather than luxury, as they were used as a floor covering for nomadic tribespeople’s homes, to keep them protected from cold and damp conditions. Over the years, carpet weaving skills have been passed down through the generations, and the variety of designs, techniques and patterns has evolved due to international trade and demand.

The development of the Persian carpet over the centuries has mostly been influenced by the country’s rulers. For example, when Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC, he was entranced by the carpets, and it’s said that his tomb at Pasargadae was covered with them. Cyrus is the ruler most historians credit with introducing the craft of carpet weaving to Persia.

In 1949 Russian archaeologists discovered what was thought to be the oldest known knotted carpet in the Siberian Mountains. The carpet dates back to the 5th frozen tombs of Scythian nobles. It’s now on display at the Hermitage Museum of Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

If you are lucky enough to own a Persian carpet or rug, you’ll want to make sure that it’s looked after properly as these carpets are definitely an investment. Five steps to keeping your Persian carpet pristine:

1. Keep it out of the sun! Persian rugs are easily faded by sunlight so keep your carpet out of direct sunlight if you want to keep the colours true – especially antique rugs. Try to rotate it monthly if it’s in the sunlight some of the time; this won’t stop it fading completely but it will make sure that the fading is uniform and not just in one area.

2. If you have furniture on the rug, try to move it around as often as you can to create a new ‘pathway’ across it. This stops the rug wearing in just one place and keeps wear and tear to a minimum.

3. Don’t try to comb the fringe out; instead, flip the rug end over end to straighten any twisted fringe. Simply hold one end of the carpet and walking it to the other end, turning the rug upside down. This helps to straighten out the fringe, and then a quick shake of the rug should be all you need.

4. Vacuum your rug regularly; this keeps the fibres from becoming too trodden down and also keeps it nice and clean so that it always looks good. Be aware of any threadbare or worn areas of the rug, and use the appropriate attachments to avoid any further damage.

5. It’s also vital that if you spill anything on your Persian rug, it’s cleaned up immediately. Never use harsh detergents or bleach, just mop the spill with paper towels by gently dabbing it from the end of the spill towards the centre to stop the spill from spreading out. Only ever use water if you’re cleaning a valuable or antique Persian rug, and if this isn’t working, call in a professional century and had been preserved in the carpet cleaner such as 1st Choice Chemdry who will be able to treat it and remove the stain without causing any damage.