There is a popular idea that an Oriental rug will never wear out and that the harder it is used the more silky it will grow. This is an erroneous idea and many rugs that would be almost priceless now are beyond repair, having fallen into the hands of people who did not appreciate them and give them the proper care. Oriental rugs cannot be handled and beaten like the domestics without serious injury. In the Orient they receive much better treatment than they do at our hands. There they are never exposed to the glare of a strong light and are never subjected to the contact of anything rougher than the bare feet. The peculiar silkiness of the nap so much admired in old pieces is due to the fact that the Oriental never treads on them with his shoes.

Large rugs, having a longer pile, resist more the wear and tear from the shoes, but they must be handled with greater care than the small ones, as, being heavier, the warp or woof threads are more liable to break.

As a rule rugs should be cleaned every week or two. Never shake them or hang them on a line, as the foundation threads may break, letting the knots slip and spread apart. There are more rugs worn out in this way than by actual service. Lay them face downward on the grass or on a clean floor and gently beat them with something pliable like a piece of rubber hose cut in strips. With a clean broom sweep the back, then turning them over, sweep across the nap each way, then with the nap. Brushing against the nap is most harmful, as it may loosen the knots and force the dust and dirt into the texture. Finally dampen the broom or, better still, dampen a clean white cloth in water to which a little alcohol has been added, and wipe over the entire rug in the direction in which the nap lies. The sweeping process keeps the end of the pile clean and bright and gives it a silky, lustrous appearance. Sometimes clean, dampened sawdust can be used and, in the winter time, nothing is better than snow, which will clean and brighten them wonderfully.

Many rugs are improved by an occasional washing. It is usually advisable to have some reliable man, who understands this work, to do it for you, as it is quite a task and few homes have a suitable place for it. A good concrete floor will answer nicely. With a stiff brush, a cake of castile or wool soap and some warm water give the pile a thorough scrubbing in every direction excepting against the nap. Rinse with warm water, then with cold, turning the hose upon it for fifteen or twenty minutes. Soft water is preferable if it can be obtained. Finally, with a smooth stick or a wooden roller, squeeze the water out by stroking it in the direction of the nap. This stroking process should be continued for some time, after which the rug is spread out on a roof face upward for several clear days.

Unless rugs are frequently moved or cleaned moths are sure to get into them. Sweeping alone is not always sufficient to keep them out. For this purpose the compressed air method is par excellence.

If you expect to close your home for several weeks or months do not leave your rugs on the floor. After having all necessary repairs made, have them thoroughly cleaned by the compressed air process, then place them in canvas or strong paper bags, sealing them tightly. A large rug may be wrapped with clean white paper, then with tar paper. It is better to roll than to fold them, but if folded always see that the pile is on the inside, else bad creases may be made in them which may never come out. They should be stored in a dry, airy room, as they readily absorb moisture.

When a rug shows a tendency to curl on the corners only, a very good idea is to weight it down with tea lead which is folded in such a way as to make a piece about four inches long, one inch wide and one-eighth of an inch thick. This is inclosed in a cloth pocket which is sewed to the under side of the rug at the corners so that its length lies in the direction of the warp.

Many rugs that are crooked may easily be straightened by tacking them face downward in the proper shape and wetting them. They should be kept in that position until thoroughly dried and shrunken to the proper shape. Obstinate and conspicuous stains may be removed by clipping the discolored pile down flat to the warp, carefully pulling out the knots from the back of the rug and having new ones inserted. This, however, with all other extensive repairs, should be done by one especially skilled in that line.

Considering the rapid increase in the price of good Oriental rugs within the past few years we should appreciate and care for all the fine examples which we already have in our possession.

The prayer niche, the cross panels and the main border stripe are all characteristic of its class.
(See page 238)