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Weather an antique or a new carpet, the wash process
is the same. But the technique will definitively differ. An antique carpet
being much more fragile than a new one the tools of the process are softer
not to damage the fabric.
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The first and most
important step in cleaning a carpet is DUSTING it. One can clean the
surface to perfection, but unless it is well dusted once dry the dirt
imbedded in the pile of the carpet will resurface.
Left: A
newer carpet being dusted. Face down in a pool of water being scraped from
the back. this opens up this loosens the dirt imbedded and flows out of
the carpet with the water.
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After
dusting comes the application of Soaps. We recommend and use only natural
soaps that are chemical and enzyme free. This will preserve the luster, and
condition the wool while preserving the colors.
As
I mentioned earlier, the wash process is the same but the application
technique differs from cleaning a new and an antique carpet.
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Top: The application of soap on an
antique carpet is done by hand while scrubbing the soap directly on the
carpet in a circular motion.
| Left:
The application of soap on a newer carpet is done by brush in a
back and forth motion. |
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Finally
after a thorough rinse, the carpet is scrapped flat with the pile so it to
preserve its direction, and is sun dried face down to preserve the colors.
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