Antique rugs are as artistic as they are valuable. But, time can damage these artistic pieces. Stains, dirt and wear and tear can diminish their value greatly. Occasionally, they need to be restored. Depending on the type of damage sustained, the restoration process can require different steps to ensure that the beauty of the rug is properly restored.
One of the steps of antique rug restoration in New York City is to clean the rug. This cleaning is usually done by hand rather than using a machine. Washing machines can destroy the fabric of these rugs and create or exacerbate tears in them. Hand cleaning is usually done with a special soap that is safe for the fabric and a scrub brush that helps to get rid of the dirt. The rugs are thoroughly dried after the process.
If stains are present on the rug, the stains are treated with special chemicals designed to get rid of them while preserving the fabrics. Some modern stain removers may harm the delicate fabric and diminish the colors in the rug. Some stains may require several different treatments to ensure that they are completely removed. If the type of stain is known, it is important to inform The Golden Horn so that the appropriate treatment can be applied.
Another step of antique rug restoration in New York City is to repair minor tears in the antique rug if the restorer is authorized to do so. In some cases, unraveled threads can be sewn back into their original position. It depends on the weave of the rug and the types of threads used in the rug. If newer threads are required, the color is matched as closely as possible to the original colors. It may not always be possible to repair all tears, depending on their location and size.
These are the steps in the restoration process. Restoring an antique rug does not always diminish its value, but it can enhance its beauty. Special care is taken when cleaning and treating stains in the rug. Minor tears can often be repaired in the same weaving pattern and the thread colors are matched as closely as possible.