Why Invest In A Handmade Area Rug?
When searching for a new rug, you might ask yourself, why spend the premium ticket price on a handmade area rug? With a variety of great options to choose from for machine made and hand tufted rugs, is it really worth investing a great deal of money on a handmade area rug? We believe so!
Areas all over the world create hand-knotted rugs. From Iran to Pakistan to India, all are major players in the trade of hand crafted carpets and all of them create a good product. Typically speaking, when you purchase a handmade area rug, you are buying an item that has been made to last for generations. The rug artisans called upon to make these rugs generally always use better quality materials than your average hand tufted or machine made rug. Additionally, each area rug is hand-knotted which does away with the latex glue which is required in hand-tufted construction.
Attention to detail is usually given to handmade area rugs as they typically take longer to make and require skill to create. One 8×10 hand-knotted rug out of India generally takes two weavers around 6-8 months to make depending on knot count. Compare that to 1-2 weeks for a hand tufted of the same size. Better quality construction and high quality materials usually lead to a longer life span. While most hand-tufted and machine made area rugs have a life expectancy of 5-10 years, handmade area rugs can last for generations. A true testament to quality materials, incredible craftsmanship and products that are created to last.
Another incentive of a handmade area rug buy is that they have an inherent value. This means that if later in the future you are looking to change your home décor, many rug retailers will take your current rug as a trade and give you a credit towards a new rug. This doesn't apply to hand-tufted or machine made rugs as these particular rugs carry no value. It is practically the same concept as trading in a used car for money towards a new one. Just because the current area rug you have no longer works for you, chances are it will work for someone else.
When it comes to maintenance and performance, hand-knotted area rugs can not be beat. Area rugs comprised of wool are generally stain-resistant for up to a few seconds. This means that when the dreaded food stain occurs, you have a small window to completely remove the stain using household products. Wool is the wonder fiber which is why a large number of area rugs are created using this fiber as the main ingredient.
Cold water with a dash of detergent and a blotting with a white terry cloth can work wonders on removing stains. When that just won’t do, a professional rug cleaning facility will handle almost anything you can throw at them. These rugs clean up brand new every time when they are properly cared for. General rule of thumb is cleaning them every five years or when serious stains such a pet deposits occur. You can never over clean a handmade piece. These rugs are meant to be washed and the more they are taken care of, the longer they last.
While the initial investment of a quality handmade rug can be a bit steep, the benefits far exceed the cons. Just knowing that you have purchased a quality piece that’s meant to last is piece of mind enough. Couple that with the ability to handle small stains in the home and have the ability to trade in is reason enough to make the purchase.