Q.  From our new customers: Where are you located?

A.  Usually, the answer is -- We are in Olmos Park exactly 3 miles south of North Star Mall on McCullough.  If approaching from the North, McCullough at Loop 410 is the east side of the mall.  Continue on McCullough and after crossing Basse Road (2nd mile), you cross the railroad tracks, pass The Yard (shop center)  and four more streets to our "bright blue" building.  From south on McCullough at Hildebrand, come north another half mile to the Circle (at Olmos Drive), continue around the circle on McCullough for 7 streets on the left hand side to our "bright blue" building. From the west on I-10, cross to inside Loop 410, 1.5 miles, exit Fresno, turn left, cross San Pedro Ave., continue across the railroad tracks to McCullough, turn left and go 3 streets to store on left side.

Q. My dining table seats 8 people, what size rug do I need?

A. A 9’x12’ rug is the appropriate size. Accommodating the table and chairs is priority in a dining room. The side chairs and head chairs should still be on the rug when pulled back to sit. 6 chairs is 8’x10’ – 10 chairs is 10’ x14’ – 12 chairs is 10’x16’.

Q. I have a fireplace in this room and my sofa is to one side, do I need to center the rug with fireplace?

A. When using a room – size rug such as a 9’x12’ or larger, you should accommodate your sitting arrangement. The rug should define the sitting area, although, the sitting area maybe toward one end of the room, at a diagonal, or centered in the room.

Q. Do I need to put all of the furniture entirely on the rug and how much floor should be exposed around the rug?

A. There isn’t a standard or “rule–of–thumb" to use for placing an Oriental rug. Usually, the back legs of sofas and chairs are off the rug, or at least the front legs are close enough to have rug under foot while sitting.

Q.  How do I maintain my rug(s) in reference to cleaning, spills, vacuuming, and using rug pads?

A.  Cleaning - At Oriental Rug Workshop cleaning is recommended every 3 - 5 years. Although, there is no
rule-of-thumb as to the freqeuncy of washing your rugs. The amount of traffic and accidents are the greatest factors in determining cleaning frequency of your rugs, therefore, some rugs may need cleaning in one to two years.  Rugs should be cleaned before they are put in storage.  When a soiled rug is used, soil particles may cut fibers and accelerate wear.  If the rug has not been cleaned by the seventh year, it is important to consider cleaning at this time.  As good as our regular household cleaning may be, some soil, dust or other allergens may be missed.  It would also be wise to check the rug,s true condition at this time.  Check for moths and carpet beetles under the furniture that is not frequently moved. 

Spills - When removing a spill, blotting it up as soon as possible is important.  Scrubbing the fibers may cause a bruise mark  in the wool that is not removable.  Do not rub.  Dab instead, then press and hold an absorbent pad ( white paper towels ) against the area.  Cold tap water or plain mineral water only may be used to rinse out the spill, then blot the area with white paper towels.  If excess water is used you may need to stand on the towels to blot.  Lightly comb the damp area toward the natural lean of the pile, then raise the rug for airing.  After the area is dry, use your fingers to brush and soften the pile if stiff.

Vacuuming - Vacuuming your rugs prolongs the period between washes and reduces rug wear.  Using a vacuum nozzle without a power driven rotating brush and vacuuming once per week is recommended.  A power driven rotating brush may be harsh on surface fibers and fringe ends when frequently used.  A simple vacuum nozzle that promotes plain suction is best.  

Underlayment -  An Oriental rug in use is protected from hard friction and crushing wear by placing them on pads.  Rug pads also prevent slipage, bunching-up,  and provide a more than comfortable rug to walk on.  Thick pads are not recommended.  A rug pad approximately a quater of an inch thick offers resiliency, allows the rug to flex, and this promotes much longer wear.  Pads for rugs on carpeting are different from those used under rugs on bare floors.

Q. How can you tell a machine made rug from a handmade rug?

A. Because of the precision of today’s computer-run power looms, the straight lines on a  machine – loomed rug are exact. You notice perfectly straight lines in the pattern, the edges, and the back side in the rows of tufts. On the other hand, look for straight lines in a handmade rug. There aren’t any. From the crudest to the finest made rugs, irregularity is one of the most prominent characteristics of a handmade rug. The true art of rug weaving is apparent when the human hand and mind is at work producing dyes from animal – vegetable resources and hand spun yarn.