Tips from New Moon on Becoming a Rug Connoisseur
A HIGHER KNOT COUNTS DOES NOT ALWAYS EQUAL BETTER QUALITY
A higher knot count does not always equate to better quality. Quality is primarily determined by the caliber of materials used and the craftsmanship and skill used to tie each knot.
Rugs with a higher knot count are more expensive since more materials are needed. The plies of wool or silk get thinner as the knot count gets higher. Labor is also more expensive since there are more knots to be tied.
Knot count is measured by the number of knots per square inch. To measure knot count, simply take a ruler and a fine pointed instrument and map out one inch horizontally and one inch vertically. Rugs tied with a Persian or Tibetan knot generally have a “depressed” warp, so only ½ of the knot shows on the back horizontally. Each warp counted horizontally multiplied by the number of knots vertically will give you the overall knot count.
SELECTING A RUG PAD
When deciding on a rug pad, we usually advise against rubber, foam, jute or hair fibers. All have a tendency to degrade over time and can sometimes cause damage to hardwood floors. Thicker is not always better. A pad with too high a profile can cause a tripping hazard. We recommend an open-weave PVC material which doesn’t degrade or damage floors. New Moon carries their own brand endorsed by owner and rug expert, John Kurtz.
NOT ALL MATERIALS ARE CREATED EQUAL
In Tibetan weaving, look for all Tibetan wool – by far the best quality wool, not to be confused with less expensive, shorter-staple New Zealand wool. Chinese silk is also considered more desirable than Indian silk. Finer quality material leads to a finer quality rug. Hand-carding and hand-spinning add to the quality of the finished rug.
WHY “CROSSING” MATTERS
“Crossed” weaving was always the traditional foundation used in Tibetan weaving since the beginning of rug weaving. “Crossing” the warps creates a virtually unbreakable foundation, assuring generations of wearability. There is now an alternative method of constructing the foundation – a shortcut that does not “cross” the warps. As with most things, the traditional method is usually the better choice, even though it may be somewhat more costly and labor intensive. A rug is only as good as its foundation.
AVOID CHEMICAL WASHES
Although it may create an instant shine, the strong chemical washes given to most all new rugs strip the wool of its lanolin, which is a natural stain repellent. New Moon rugs, when new, may not appear as shiny as some others, but there is a reason for that. New Moon rugs are not given harsh chemical washes. The natural patina reveals itself after a few years of exposure to light and air, actually improving with age. With a bit of care, a rug washed only with soap and water will improve with age, developing a soft, silky patina.
THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST SOILING IS THE VACUUM CLEANER
The first line of defense against soiling is the vacuum cleaner. Rugs should be vacuumed thoroughly and fairly often, and if the rug is small enough, occasionally turned over and vacuumed on the back. To clean the foundation, turn the rug face down, and use an upright vacuum with a beater bar. Using the beater bar on the back of the rug will beat out the grit from the rug’s foundation. Vacuum and then fold the rug back and vacuum up the dust that will fall to the floor. Repeat the process until no more dust comes out of the rug. When vacuuming the top of the rug, use the soft brush, or smooth head only; the beater bar is unnecessarily harsh for the pile of a hand-knotted rug.
SOAP AND WATER GOES A LONG WAY
With rugs that are washed without chemicals (like New Moon’s), the natural lanolin remains in the fibers and most spills will bead up and can be removed easily with a paper towel if caught quickly. If a stain has the chance to soak in, plain cold water can be used to saturate the spot and the moisture can be blotted up with paper towels. When drying, the rug should be lifted enough so that it can air dry from both the top and bottom. Do not use chemicals on a fine, hand-woven rug….soap and water goes a long way! For detailed stain removal, consult a professional as soon as possible.
For professional cleaning, rugs should be hand-washed using only soap and water or mild detergent. A reputable cleaner that deals with fine antique rugs would be likely to provide hand-washing.