RUG CARE, REPAIR & RESTORATION
If a rug has been damaged, it is very important to initiate repair work immediately in effort to prevent further deterioration. There are many forms that repair work can take, holes and areas of almost any size can be rewoven, colours are carefully matched and areas strengthened. Fringes, salvages and borders can be either fully rewoven or reinforced.
Natural sheep's wool is spun to match colour and texture for fringes and reweaving and dyed with natural vegetable dyes where required. In all cases, in order to accurately assess cost and time involved in a repair or restoration effort, a thorough examination of the rug is necessary. This is followed by a written estimate. Once this has been confirmed work can commence at any time. Any rug sent to us must be cleaned or thoroughly vacuumed before we receive it. Marcia Disse has been weaving and restoring rugs for the past 20 years. We receive commissions from all over NZ. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Before & After
REWEAVING
Some examples of restoration work before and after completion.

REFRINGING

Care & Maintenance
Wool is a very strong fibre, but care must still be taken with your rug to ensure the best service. If the rug is of some age and the pile is worn and thin, it will last longer if it is placed in a low traffic area of the house. If antique and fragile, hanging on the wall is a good option. New rugs are hardier, but you still should follow some simple guidelines:

Cleaning: (regular) Vacuum gently and often, taking care not to disturb the fringe area.
Cleaning: (intensive) If a rug needs cleaning, small areas can be spot cleaned at home first making sure that the colours are fast. This is very important as some dyes may not be stable and water may cause colour bleeding. If more complete cleaning is required use only a professional service that specialises in Oriental Rugs.
Wear: (positioning) Rotate the rug in the room to ensure even wear. If it is a flat-woven carpet, such as a Kilim, turn it over to avoid wear on one side only.
Wear: (pressure) On a hard floor such as tile or wood, a sponge underlay will protect the rug from wear and movement.
Fading: Our strong NZ sunlight can produce fading in some carpets. Try to minimise this effect by positioning your rugs away from direct sunlight and also by turning them regularly. The vegetable dyes will generally hold their colour and in many cases, will have already mellowed gently over the years.
Storage: If a rug is to be stored for a period of time, ensure a few moth balls (wrapped in tissue paper) are rolled up inside. This will also discourage mice. Check your stored rugs regularly if possible.
Water: Water is a natural enemy of rugs. If your rug does get wet, dry it quickly and thoroughly. Never place pot plants on a rug, even with a saucer underneath.