FAQs
What kind of condition are our vintage rugs in?
All of the rugs in our collection are anywhere between 30 and 70 years old. This means they have received a lifetime of love, and are not in perfect condition. Some will have areas of fading and wear, and some have received minor repairs by our rug master in Turkey. These signs of age make our rugs unique, and cannot be considered defects.
Why are vintage rugs considered an investment?
The art of rug weaving has been handed down for many generations in the Middle East and Turkey. Vintage rugs, such as those we source, were woven by hand decades ago, and were made to last more than a lifetime. Vintage handmade rugs are one of the only things in life that increase in value with wear and tear!
Why are vintage rugs far more expensive than machine made rugs?
Vintage handwoven Turkish and Persian wool rugs take many many months to complete. The rugs in our collection were most likely woven by village women who sat at the loom for up to one year to complete just one rug. This is how things were (and often still are!) made in this part of the world. The rugs are not mass produced, they are completely unique, and many rarer patterns and colours are not produced any more. The older these vintage pieces get, the harder they are to find in good condition and the more valuable they become.
Why are vintage rugs a more sustainable, environmentally friendly option?
Don't get us wrong, machine made rugs can certainly look amazing, but like many things these days, that can come at a cost to our environment. Many machine rugs are made using synthetic materials and are mass produced in the thousands. Vintage handwoven Turkish and Persian wool rugs are made with only natural materials and dyes, and are one of a kind pieces! You'll never find another one exactly the same.
How should you take care of your vintage rug?
We recommend giving your rug a good vacuum at least once per week to release trapped dirt from the fibres. If you have a vacuum cleaner with a rotating/motor brush, be sure to turn this off before vacuuming so you don't damage the wool fibres.
If you happen to spill something, soak up the excess liquid, then use a damp white cloth to blot at the stain. Do not vigorously rub or scrub, as this will only force the stain down into the pile. Just continue blotting and the stain will slowly lift.
If you have a major disaster (we're thinking whole glass of red wine off the table - don't worry, it happens), we'd recommend getting a professional clean from someone who specialises in the repair/restoration/cleaning of vintage rugs. If you need a recommendation, send us an email and we can help you out!
You have pets and kids - should you invest in a vintage rug or will it just get ruined?
Vintage rugs are surprisingly family-friendly! Many are flat woven and most have a lower pile than new carpets, lending themselves to easy cleaning! Many can be wiped with a damp clean white cloth should toddlers or pets drop their snacks where they shouldn't! The lower pile is also less inclined to trap pet hairs.
We have a lot of colourful rugs in our collection - these are brilliant at hiding minor child/pet related misdemeanors!
You can't find a particular colour/size/pattern of rug on our website - can we source something for you?
We'd love nothing more than to help you find the rug of your dreams! Feel free to get in touch with us via email and we can chat about the kind of thing you're looking for. We source from Turkey, Eastern Europe and the Middle East so we're bound to be able to find just the right rug for your home.
Can you return your vintage rug?
In the unlikely event that you're not happy with your vintage purchase, please get in touch with us via email to see how we might be able to help.
Do we offer a discount to the trade?
If you are a designer, interior stylist or you are interested in stocking pieces from our collection, we'd love to hear from you! Please email info@vintagerugliving.com with more details about your business so we can organise to chat!