Mr & Mrs N recently got in touch and asked us to collect and hand clean the most gorgeous Antique Persian Tabriz rug. It was over 12 feet long and 9 feet wide (approx. 4 metres by metres) and hand made in Iran in 1880.
We collected the carpet from their home in which sits between Chelsea and Fulham in West London. The client asked if we could collect on a Sunday because they had a dinner party on the Saturday evening and wanted to have the carpet in place and removed the following day.
When we collected the Antique Persian carpet and brought it back to our workshop it needed moth treated quickly as Mr & Mrs N had seen moths in the house recently and were worried that they may have a moth infestation which could have manifested itself in the carpet. After extensive dust extraction and moth treatment, we were delighted to confirm to the client that there was no sign of moth in the rug.
We set about professionally hand cleaning the antique rug. Firstly, we test for colour fastness and ensure they will remain intact and not run. Once we were happy with that we proceeded to the cold water wash – gently brushing cold water across the carpet, removing the top layers of dirt and grime which had collected over the years. Following this, we start the careful hand wash. Using soft brushes with organic shampoos we message the short pile of the carpet, releasing the deep dirt and silt that is embossed to the wools and cotton foundations.
Immediately the colour improves – with each stroke of the cleaning brush can see the most amazing colours, previously dark and dull – now bright and fresh. We hand each oriental rug and carpet up to dry in the natural climate of the warehouse. We don’t use heat to dry – this would crimp the foundations and leave the rug misshaped.
Once the Antique rug is dry, we roll it up until ready for delivery. We called the client and asked them for a suitable slot for delivery (always giving an accurate ETA) upon which we returned the piece. It required new professional non-slip underlay which we cut and fitted in situ.
Mr & Mrs N were absolutely thrilled with the carpet. They were delighted with lustrous pile retuned to its former glory and of course the new of moth, or lack thereof. We were asked to collect a further 2 carpets on delivering this piece.
Thanks again Mr & Mrs N – we really appreciate your custom