ITHACA/ELMIRA carpet cleaners

ABC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

 July 2017

Welcome to Our Monthly Newsletter!

We hope you will enjoy this month's articles.  

This month's topics are:   

Gabbeh Oriental Rugs

Moths in Your Rugs - The Dark Side

 Stain Protection That Really Works

DISCOUNTS, DISCOUNTS, DISCOUNTS!

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July Discounts

If there is a topic you would like us to cover in one of our upcoming newsletters, please call us at  607-272-1566 or contact us by clicking here.


PERSIAN GABBEH ORIENTAL RUGS

The advent of Persian Gabbeh rugs (gah-BAY) from Iran into the Western market is relatively new, even though the earliest of these rugs were being woven in Persia as early as the 1500s. Fifty years ago, most rug enthusiasts had not even heard of them.   

Gabbeh rugs are distinctive and relatively easy to recognize, thus making them good examples for our Oriental Rugs by Design study. For this study, we are more concerned with Persian Gabbeh rugs but today, the term Gabbeh is used broadly to describe modern-looking rugs, usually relatively thick, with a tribal nature from many different weaving countries.

Please note: There can be several different spellings of many of the rug names and places.

LOCATION

Gabbeh rugs have been woven for centuries by nomadic tribal weavers living in the Zagros Mountains region running along the Western border of Iran.

Southernmost tribes most associated with these rugs are the Qashqai and the Luri in the Fars province. They are also produced in the Northeastern province of Khorasson (Khorasan) around Meshed where the rugs are woven from undyed wool.

Other areas in Iran produce these rugs as well, such as the Kurds and Bakhtiari.

DESIGN 

The basic design of Persian Gabbeh rugs, whether antique or modern, is quite different from the classic Persian designs.

These rugs have large open fields with just a few color combinations. Small motifs can be found placed throughout the field which can include birds, plants, animals, as well as human figures. The geometric design patterns are more modern-looking than their classic Persian counterparts.

Traditionally, Gabbeh rug weavers (usually the women) do not use a cartoon or pattern. The weaver will incorporate everyday life in her changing environment into the rug she is weaving. The overall design is usually simple and plain but it is always warm and creative. Each one is a piece of art which is the genuine creative expression of the individual weaver.

The modern Persian Gabbeh rugs have grown and evolved from the earlier ones and today they can often look like sophisticated abstract art. It is because of the unique quality of their designs that these rugs fit well into today's modern interiors (though perhaps not as well in formal rooms).  

The spontaneity and boldness of the design of these rugs have made them very popular.

COLORS

The natural dyes used by Gabbeh weavers give the colors a bold and vivid look. Because these dyes are collected from natural sources such as madder root, walnuts, and other plants and insects of the region where they are woven, the natural irregularities in the dyes results in many color variations rather than uniform solid colors, giving these rugs their rich texture.

Some Persian Gabbeh rugs can be found with nothing more than variations of color in a field.

CONSTRUCTION

Although the common elements in the design of the Gabbeh help to identify the rug, the method of construction is very important as well.

The nomadic weaver's life dictates the loom must be able to be dismantled and set up easily in each new location and the incorporation of materials from each site (along with those taken with them) is also a necessity.

Traditional Persian Gabbeh rugs are woven on a horizontal ground loom. The difference in the materials found at each site often resulted in rugs that were slightly irregular in shape. It also meant the rugs had to be smaller in size for easy handling during moves.

The early rugs were rough and primitive and quickly woven for personal use in the tent. They were very coarse (the word Gabbeh comes from the Persian 'raw,' 'rough,' 'coarse,' etc.).

The antique Persian Gabbeh rugs were not only coarse with a knot count of 40 knots per square inch or less, but their wide rows of multiple wefts (side to side foundation cords) gave them a pliable feel. This made them very suitable not only as floor coverings but bedding as well.

Traditionally the women of the tribe are the weavers who also hand card and spin the wool from their own sheep. Wool is used for both the foundation and the pile.

The wool from the sheep used for the foundation and pile of the Gabbeh rugs from Iran is of excellent quality. The sheep are grazed in high altitudes which produces more lanolin to give the wool its sheen, softness, and stain resistance.

The knot is usually the Senna or Persian asymmetrical knot but the Turkish or symmetrical knot can also be found. Many varieties of Gabbeh will have 'barber pole' selvages, a type of stitch where the edges are wrapped in two different colors. Fringed ends are usually quite short.

Although the antique Persian Gabbeh rugs were indeed 'crude and coarse,' these rugs produced commercially today are not crude by any means and perhaps the word 'thick' should replace 'coarse.'  

To find out more about Persian Gabbeh Rugs, ancient and contemporary, with photos, please continue reading here.


MOTHS IN YOUR RUGS -
THE DARK SIDE 

Beware! You could be harboring moths in your rugs right now! Even if you don't see them flying around. One day you may call to have your rugs picked up to be cleaned only to find out they are full of moth larvae and in desperate need of extensive and expensive repairs.

How could this happen? You vacuum regularly, pick up food bits and sop up spills as quickly as possible. The answer is...There is a dark side to moth infestations (and carpet beetle destruction as well.)

THE DARK SIDE TO MOTHS IN YOUR RUGS

These insects love those dark areas we don't get to often enough such as: under and on the back of rugs on floors and wall-to-wall carpets, especially those with furniture on top of them, the backside of rugs hanging on walls or over banisters, and under the pet bed (or any other place where pet hair accumulates). This problem of moths living and eating undetected in the dark places of your home is more widespread than you may realize. As many as 1 in 5 homes across the US are affected. They can do their damage very quickly. If left too long, the damage often cannot be repaired.

With the advent of synthetic fibers, the composition of furniture, rugs and carpets, as well as clothing has significantly changed from wool to synthetic. This fact can lead homeowners to believe 'no wool means no moths.' This is unfortunately not true. If synthetic fibers are soiled and allowed to sit undisturbed, such as under furniture, they too will become a food source that will attract moths.  

THE REAL CULPRITS ARE THE LARVAE

Adult moths themselves cause no damage. It is the larvae they produce that actually do the feeding. The adults look for wool, silk, soiled cotton, feathers, some leathers, and areas of collected pet fur to lay their eggs.

Each adult moth can lay between 100 to 150 microscopic eggs, which hatch in about 5 days. Eggs laid in rugs can remain dormant for years, just waiting for the right conditions to hatch.

The larval stage itself can last from 2 to 30 months. This great variance in the life cycle is due to the availability of food and a rug can provide a huge source of food. If gone unnoticed, the larvae can feed for almost 2 and 1/2 years!

This means if the food source is in areas left undisturbed for long periods of time, the larvae produced from the eggs can eat their food source and stay in the same area for a very long time, causing significant damage before they become flying moths.

When a homeowner sees moths, the infestation has already begun somewhere in the home. 

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU HAVE MOTHS IN YOUR RUGS?

For the answer to this question and more information, please continue reading here.


SOIL and STAIN PROTECTOR

THAT REALLY WORKS!

Why Soil and Stain Protector?

Did you request a Soil and Stain Protector the last time your carpets were cleaned? Have you ever experienced that 'feel good' feeling of having a freshly-cleaned carpet, rug or furniture only to be totally frustrated when shortly after something like red wine, coffee or tea is spilled on those freshly-cleaned items?

Have you attempted to remove fresh spills yourself? Because you may not know the type of carpet, rug or furniture you have, you may not know the best way to clean up a spill. If you have our ABC Spot Cleaning Guide or our DIY Spot Removal Video, you are well-armed, but did you make sure you had the required household solutions, such as ammonia, enzyme detergent, etc.?

So many things can go wrong when you try to remove spills by yourself. The pile of the carpet or rug can become distorted with scrubbing. Too much water or liquid applied to fabric or yarn can change or run colors or may push the spill down farther only to have it reappear after drying. Over-the-counter spot cleaners work well with some types of fabric, but may bleach out others.

All of this could have been avoided if you had requested an application of a Soil and Stain Protector when you had your carpet, rug or furniture cleaned. It does cost a little more but...it certainly is worth it!

How Does It Work?

A Soil and Stain Protector acts as a kind of invisible shield that will repel most substances that are spilled on it. This is somewhat like waxing a car. You provide protection to your paint job by applying an invisible shield and you know it is working because you can see water beading up on the surface.

When you protect your carpet, rug or furniture with a Soil and Stain Protector, you are not only going to obtain the immediate benefit of being able to clean up fresh spills, but that protection will mean the item is going to last longer. That is because when something is clean, it performs better and increases the lifetime of the textile.

How Long Does It Last?

For more information, please continue reading here.



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ABC Oriental Rug & Carpet Cleaning Co. 

Since 1971 

(607)-272-1566


JULY CLEANING SPECIALS...


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  MONTH OF JULY ONLY...       

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Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning

 
Area & Oriental Rug Repair 


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PLEASE CALL 

607-272-1566  

to schedule an appointment for in home or business services or stop in with your items to be cleaned or repaired. 


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

We have expanded our FREE pick up and delivery service to include the following areas:

ELMIRA
HORSEHEADS
BIG FLATS
CORNING

Call our office at 607-272-1566 to schedule a free pick up and delivery of your area rugs today.

Please note:
Certain restrictions may apply.

Please click here to read our policy on pick up and delivery of area rugs.


UPDATE ON OUR CONSIGNMENT RUGS ALERT...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

WE NEEDED MORE RUGS TO SELL ON CONSIGNMENT and WE HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF GOOD QUALITY AREA & ORIENTAL RUGS.

As soon as these rugs are processed, they will be posted on this website.


Please keep checking back so you don't miss out on any of these!


Do you know someone who is downsizing, changing home décor or looking for good quality area rugs at a reasonable price for a home or office?          

Do you have a rug you no longer want?   

 Are you looking for a rug to buy at a reasonable price?

Please HELP US to continue this worthwhile service. 

Please share with your family, friends, and neighbors.


UPDATE ON OUR MATCHING GIFT TO THE SPCA of TC...

OUR APRIL & MAY PROMOTION for the SPCA of Tompkins County WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL

THANK YOU ALL!

*********

WE WERE DELIGHTED TO PRESENT A CHECK TO THE SPCA of TC!

THAT CHECK WILL BE MATCHED!

REMEMBER...   
 

We love our pets and our customers' pets and we have perfected a process that completely eliminates pet urine odor from most area rugs, especially oriental rugs.

Thank you to all our customers who joined with us in supporting our SPCA and let us get that urine odor out of their rugs at the same time!  


THANK YOU!!  WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SERVE YOUR TEXTILE CLEANING AND REPAIR NEEDS!



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ABC Oriental Rug & Carpet Cleaning Co.
130 Cecil Malone Drive Ithaca, NY 14850

607-272-1566

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ABC Oriental Rug & Carpet Cleaning Co. has been family-owned and operated in Ithaca and surrounding areas for more than 47 years.
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