BUYING A HAND WOVEN CARPET

There are some very simple steps when buying a quality handmade carpet. The first and most important is doing your homework. Omar's Carpet provides you with several sources of information using our links and explanations on the left column of our website. The second and equal precaution is buying from a reputable dealer. You should be allowed to view the carpet in your home to make sure it is exactly what you want and return it. At Omar's Carpet we give you 14 days to return the carpet, see a full explanation at warranty.

The next key for a good purchase is looking at several different styles of carpet. Some people look at specific regions while others are interested in color and design. However, the magic of handmade carpet buying is seeing the one carpet out of many that simply “catches your eye”.  This is the carpet you want to purchase and may be the first one you see or after viewing many. Our Carpet Selection feature allows you to narrow your search and view carpets meeting your specific desire.

Materials and craftsmanship are important when selecting a handmade carpet. These go hand in hand as a quality craftsman will only use the finest materials. Omar's Carpet only selects the highest quality carpets for sale.

Watch for counterfeit carpets. There are many carpets for sale having a certain regional design, but aren't from that region. Some of these carpets are quite good and can only be detected by an experience dealer. Omar's Carpet doesn't offer counterfeit carpets for sale on our OnLine Store. Look for a certificate of authenticity with your carpet. Omar's Carpet must process all their carpets through a Turkish Museum Authority inspection before shipment.

INSURING YOUR INVESTMENT

Your Omar's Carpet is a serious investment and its monetary value is based fully on supply and demand. Handmade carpets are getting scarcer because of the realities of our changing world. Generally, the replacement value of your carpet from a normal dealer is 3 to 4 times what you paid Omar's Carpet. Some insurance companies will require a special rider to your homeowners insurance. We recommend you get your handmade carpet appraised by a reputable dealer, take and file photographs of your carpet, and discuss insurance requirements with your insurance agent. You should update this coverage regularly.

CARE AND CLEANING

Remember your handmade carpet will last a very long time if cared for properly. Follow these simple steps.

Never use a vacuum cleaner with a physical beater on a handmade rug, always remember the knots are hand tied. Use a suction upright or canister vacuum that only sucks up the dirt. Vacuum the carpet weekly, both on the front and back.

In the event of a spill, blot up the liquid immediately and for several hours. One trick is to put paper towels on the carpet held in place with something heavy, like several books. If the spill can stain or damage, have it shampooed as soon as possible.

It is best to have your handmade carpet cleaned at least once a year by a professional. Usually retail carpet dealers provide this service. They should basically hand wash the carpet. Don't assume, always ask what method they use. Many can apply an enzyme treatment to guard against pet urine.

Never machine wash a handmade carpet as the knots could possibly work loose with the physical agitation. You can hand wash your carpet yourself using a mild, neutral carpet soap and a garden hose. Check for color run by doing a very small corner first. Work the soap into the carpet with strokes in the same direction as the weave. When you've rinsed out all the soap, allow to dry on a flat surface, both front and back. Don't hang your wet carpet over a clothesline or fence as the knots at the fold could be damaged.

We don't recommend powder carpet cleaners because you never get all the powder out until you wash the carpet. Foam shampoos can be used for small areas, especially after a spill, but always test for color fastness first. We do not recommend hot water or steam cleaning since it may damage the carpet if done incorrectly.

For more information about carpet care, click on to www.about-turkey.com/carpet/cleaning.htm or www.carpetinfo.co.uk/pages/aboutpp/caring.htm.

HISTORY OF CARPETS

For a detailed overview of carpets, please click on:

The link to Oriental Carpet review is http://www.rugreview.com/orr.htm

For Turkish Carpets: www.about-turkey.com/carpet.htm or www.turkey.org/culture/c_carpet.htm,

For Persian carpets: http://Persia.org/, then select, "Gallery", then select, "Persian Carpets".