[Complete Guide] Persian Silk Carpet Care

A complete guide to caring for your Persian rug and preserving its beauty

Persian carpets. Silk carpets in particular are attractive for their breathtakingly beautiful luster and the delicate design that can only be achieved through handcrafting. Just having one in your living room will instantly brighten up the entire space and make you feel rich.

Persian silk carpets are works of art that can be passed down for decades, or even generations, if they are properly cared for. However, some people may be worried that "Silk seems delicate...how should I handle it?"

Don't worry!

If you keep the key points in mind, daily care isn't that difficult.

In this article, we will clearly explain, with a professional perspective, the care methods you should know in order to maintain the beauty and value of your precious Persian silk carpets for a long time.

1. When you receive it, first of all, please do the following! Storage precautions

We will tell you what to be careful of when you receive your new carpet and when storing it when you are not using it.

Once you take it out of the bag, take a deep breath!

The carpet is securely packed for shipping, so when you receive it, please take it out of the bag and unfold it immediately.

This is because if the carpet is left in the bag for a long time, moisture will build up and mold and insects (those annoying insects that eat your precious carpet!) will be more likely to develop. Let the carpet get some fresh air in a new environment and say "good job!" to it.

A well-ventilated, hideaway-like place

The best place to store a Persian carpet is in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

Direct sunlight is the biggest enemy and will cause the beautiful colors of silk to fade. Avoid placing it near a window in a room where it will be exposed to direct sunlight. Humidity can also lead to mold and insects. Placing it in a place with adequate ventilation will keep the carpet's fibers healthy. It is also best to avoid places that are too dry, such as those directly exposed to the wind from an air conditioner. The ideal temperature (10-25°C) and humidity (40-60%) are said to be comfortable for humans as well.

Don't seal your room! Stuffy air is a sign of mold and insects

Never store your carpet in an airtight plastic bag! This traps moisture and creates the perfect habitat for mold and insects.

If you need to store it for a long time, gently wrap it in breathable cotton or non-woven fabric. If you use an insect repellent, make sure it is compatible with silk and do not place it in direct contact with the carpet.

2. Wrinkles aren't a bad thing! How to deal with them gently

"When I spread it out, there are wrinkles...is this okay?" Don't worry, this is a common occurrence with silk carpets.

Wrinkles are proof of silk

Silk has the flexibility that only natural fibers can provide. If it is folded and transported or stored for a while, it will inevitably develop creases or folds. This is a characteristic of silk and does not mean it is a defective product.

These wrinkles will usually become less noticeable after about a month of use, naturally due to the weight of the carpet itself, the moderate pressure from walking on it, and the humidity in the room.

If you have any wrinkles that bother you...

If you want to get rid of wrinkles quickly, try these methods, but be gentle when doing them.

• Shake gently to loosen the fibers: With the carpet unfolded, try shaking it gently around the wrinkled area or gently pulling on the edges. This will loosen the fibers and allow air to enter, making it easier to remove the wrinkles.
• Dry in the shade in a well-ventilated place: Spread out the carpet and place it in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. You can expect the weight of the carpet itself to naturally remove any wrinkles.
• Use the power of steam (be careful!): The steam function of an iron is also effective, but **never apply the iron directly to the carpet! **Silk is sensitive to heat and may be burned or damaged. Place the iron about 15 to 20 cm away from the carpet and gently apply steam to the wrinkled areas at a low temperature. The steam will relax the fibers and make it easier to remove the wrinkles. After steaming, gently smooth out the wrinkles with your hands and let it air dry thoroughly.

3. Are weaving imperfections a sign of hand weaving? No, they are individual characteristics.

When looking at a Persian silk carpet, you may sometimes think, "Hmm? I see a seam here," or "Maybe a thread is sticking out."

That is proof of "handmade" work.

Persian carpets are works of art that are woven by skilled craftsmen, tying each thread by hand over an incredibly long period of time. Every time a thread is used up, a new thread must be tied to it, so there are inevitably seams in the threads. Also, during the manufacturing process, there may be some small thread ends sticking out.

These are unmistakable evidence that the carpet is "hand-woven" by human hands, something that machines could never produce, and are part of the carpet's individuality and flavor. Please rest assured that this does not mean there is a problem with the quality.

If there’s anything you’re concerned about…

The seams and slight fraying that are unique to hand-woven fabrics are generally fine to leave as they are.

However, if a thread does come out, never pull it or cut it with scissors! Hand-woven fabric has a complex structure, so pulling on it can loosen the surrounding threads and cause further damage.

If you are concerned about it, we recommend that you do not try to fix it yourself, but consult a reliable company that specializes in repairing Persian carpets. If they repair it properly, you will be able to continue using the carpet with peace of mind.

4. Maintain radiance with simple daily care

With just a little daily care, you can maintain the beautiful luster of silk for a long time.

Remove dust with regular vacuuming

Silk is a material that is relatively resistant to dust, but dust and small particles are unavoidable in daily life. These particles can penetrate deep into the pile and cause damage to the fibers.

It's important to vacuum regularly, but with delicate carpets like silk, avoid using vacuum cleaners with too much suction power or nozzles with rotating brushes (beater bars) that can damage the pile and pull out knots.

Use a flat nozzle without a brush and set the suction power to low. It is recommended to vacuum slowly and carefully in the direction of the pile. Vacuum once or twice a week in high-traffic areas and a few times a month in other areas, depending on how often you use the vacuum.

The golden rule for stains is "Dab it! Let it dry!"

If you happen to spill a drink or something on your carpet and it leaves a stain, it's a race against time! The golden rule for minimizing damage to your precious Persian silk carpet and leaving no trace of the stain is to "act quickly" and to "dab it! Let's dry it!" Let's take a look at the specific steps.

Step 1: Beat them down thoroughly ("Beat them down!")

If a stain does appear, the first thing to do is to immediately grab a clean white cloth or paper towel. Gently but firmly dab the stain from above to absorb as much liquid as possible. The stain should transfer to the cloth or paper. It is effective to dab from the outside of the stain toward the center to prevent the stain from spreading.

Never scrub! Rubbing not only pushes dirt deeper into the fibers and spreads it around, but it is also the biggest cause of damage to the delicate pile of silk.

Step 2: Dry it thoroughly ("Let it dry!")

Once the stain has been removed, the next extremely important step is drying. If moisture remains on the carpet, it can cause a "ring stain" that leaves an outline of the stain after it dries, or it can cause mold or unpleasant odors.

Place a clean, dry towel over the wet area and press down on it to absorb as much moisture as possible. After that, open a window to improve ventilation, or use a fan or dehumidifier to let the item dry naturally in a well-ventilated area.

Avoid hot air from a hair dryer or direct sunlight (as mentioned above) as these can damage the silk. Be careful not to touch, furnish or walk on the area until it is completely dry.

Don't push yourself too hard: It's also important to decide whether to leave it to the professionals

Depending on the type of stain, such as coffee, wine, or ink, it may be difficult to treat at home. Also, if you are not confident in your ability to treat the stain yourself, or if the stain is large or has been there for a long time, the safest and most reliable method is not to try to treat it yourself, but to ask a professional Persian carpet cleaner (especially one with a lot of experience and trust in dealing with silk carpets). Improper treatment may worsen the stain or irreversibly damage your precious carpet.

5. Extra care to ensure long-lasting use

Here are some tips to help you extend the life of your carpet and keep it looking beautiful forever.

• Turn your carpet regularly: We recommend turning your carpet 180 degrees and turning it over on a regular basis, such as once every six months. This will help prevent fading from the sun, prevent wear from concentrating in high-traffic areas, and ensure even use of the entire carpet.
• Lay a rug pad: Laying a rug pad under the carpet will not only prevent slipping, but also absorb shocks caused by walking, reducing the burden on the pile and foundation of the carpet and preventing wear. It also creates an air gap between the carpet and the floor, which helps prevent moisture. For silk carpets, we recommend a breathable felt type.
• Be careful with heavy furniture: If you place heavy furniture on your carpet, place protective covers or padding under the legs, as this can permanently crush the pile and put undue pressure on the carpet.

6. Say goodbye to bugs! Tips for safe storage

Silk and wool are natural materials that can be easily attacked by insects (especially those that feed on clothing, etc.) Take appropriate precautions and storage methods to protect your precious carpets.

Preventing insect damage

Insects love dark, damp places and places that are full of food spills and dust.

• Clean diligently: The most effective prevention is to vacuum regularly to remove dust and debris that feeds on insects, making sure to also clean hard-to-reach areas such as under furniture.
• Ventilation: It is also important to ventilate the room regularly to prevent humidity from building up.
• Moth repellent: Using a silk-compatible moth repellent properly is also effective. However, do not place it directly on the carpet and read the instructions carefully before using it.

How to store the product if you are not going to use it for a long period of time

If you will not be using your carpet for a while, store it using the following steps:

1. Professional Cleaning: Before storing your rug, be sure to have it professionally cleaned by a Persian rug cleaner, as dirt can attract insects.
2. Rolled up for storage: Folding can cause strong creases, so we recommend storing it rolled up. Roll it with the pile side facing inward.
3. Breathable packaging: Wrap the silk securely in a breathable cloth (such as cotton) or a storage cover for carpets. At this time, also put in an insect repellent for silk. Do not seal the silk in plastic or other materials.
4. Storage location: Choose a dark, well-ventilated place with stable temperature and humidity. It is safer to store it on a shelf rather than directly on the floor.

lastly

With proper care, Persian silk carpets can maintain their breathtaking beauty for decades to come. Small daily care and knowing the correct way to deal with unexpected problems will greatly affect the lifespan of your carpet.

Please use the points introduced in this article to take good care of your Persian silk carpet at home and use it with peace of mind. If you are unsure of how to care for it or if it has major stains or damage, we recommend that you consult a Persian carpet expert or a cleaning company without hesitation. The knowledge and skills of a professional will be your greatest ally in protecting your precious carpet.

[For advice on choosing silk carpets, click here]

Golestan, a Persian carpet specialist, will help you find the perfect carpet to suit your room and lifestyle. Our expert staff will be happy to help you choose from our extensive selection, so please feel free to consult with us.

• Check the size and texture at a physical store: Store address and access information
• Check out our online store for carpets in various sizes: Visit our online store
• Inquiries regarding size selection and stock: To the inquiry form

We look forward to your visit and inquiries.