Antique Turkish Kilim Cleaning
It is no secret to readers of this blog that kilims hold a special place in my heart. It is not that I don't love rugs, but maybe it's because kilims have historically been underappreciated that causes me to love them so. Their motifs can be as graphic and detailed as the finest hand knotted rugs, and their thin nature makes them perfect for hanging on a wall like the art that they truly are. Caring for kilims is similar to caring for hand knotted rugs. Regular vacuuming (without the beater bar), rotating and inspecting are all that is needed to keep them looking as beautiful as they can be. Every two years or so, we recommend professional kilim cleaning. The cleaning process, as shown above, involves soaking the piece in water, shampooing it thoroughly from the front and back, and rinsing it all the while controlling for any color run. Equally as important, the kilim must be thoroughly dried so as to prevent any wrinkling or shape loss. With these minimal steps, kilims can be preserved for decades, and even longer. --