Old oriental rug from thrift store. Excellent condition but pretty dusty. Not likely valuable, but very pretty and would like to use in living room. No labels whatsoever.

Any advise on how to clean? Was considering spraying with woolite and hosing down while hanging it off of the back deck. Let it dry in the sun with the bottom side exposed to keep from fading.




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This is a nice soumak or flatweave rug. Handmade of wool on a cotton base, and most likely from China. It appears to be in good shape, and if you bought it at a thrift store price, then if you add the cost of a professional cleaning, you're probably still way ahead. If you opt to clean the rug yourself, you can do as you mentioned, but also rent an extractor so you can extract the water as you go. Also, dry the rug flat, to prevent color running. Congrats on your purchase!

It is more likely for a handmade rug to have no marks or identifying labels than to have one. If there are labels, usually they are put on by the rug dealer or distributor after production for marketing purposes. Machine-made rugs are more likely to have labels.

It is possible the rug you have is fine. Just give it a good vacuum on both sides a couple times. If you have pets or crawling babies, I would recommend the cleaning, though. You can't see or smell everything, but pets can. In general, rugs that get average use should be professionally cleaned every 5-7 years.

There is an old saying in the rug business that we sell you first rug and the rest you buy yourself. Looks like you're becoming a rug enthusiast.