How To Recognize Moth Damage in Your Handmade Rugs and Kilims

Moths present one of the most damaging, persistent, and costly dangers that exist for any woolen textiles, including, of course, rugs and kilims.  One of the most important pieces of advice I have for any client who is concerned about preserving their handmade rugs is that she or he make a habit of examining their rugs and kilims at least once every six months to make sure that moths have not been feeding on them.  Above is a picture of a carpet that has been eaten by moths.  Note how moth damage resembles a carving out of part of the pile of the rug.  Obviously, the longer you allow moths to feed on your rugs, the larger the "carvings" will be.  If you notice similar damage to your rugs, I highly recommend (1) immediately separating the rug from all other woolen rugs, kilims, and other woolen textiles; and (2) consulting a professional rug cleaner to remove all moths and/or moth larvae.  And while there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of moth damage, taking simple precautions can go a long way - periodically professionally cleaning your rugs and making a habit of looking for signs of moths at least every six months or so can help guard against what could be a sad and costly discovery of moth damage to a beautiful handmade rug -- www.traditionalrugrepair.com