Expert Carpet Cleaners in Birmingham, AL

Generally, no. Rugs fashioned from silk are among the finest and most delicate types of Oriental rugs, and are usually meant to be displayed by hanging on a wall. A reputable dealer will make sure you understand this from the start.

There's no law that says you must buy a pad for a fine Oriental rug. But there's no substitute for a pad's ability to help your rug hold up under the rigors of the household environment. Pads are necessary to prevent skidding or slipping, help cushion the impact of foot traffic, and insulate your rug from the floor.

To preserve your rug's beauty and value, it should be professionally cleaned on a periodic basis. An established dealer will either have a cleaning plant on the premises as a part of the business, or will have ongoing relationships with others who provide this service.

If you're just picking up loose dirt, the answer is generally yes, though I advise customers to only use a machine with a beater bar. Regular vacuuming between cleanings will help prolong your rug's life, but remember - a fine Oriental rug is a hand-made work of fabric art, and care must be taken to treat it gently in all phases of cleaning and maintenance.

There's no simple answer to this question. A knowledgeable dealer will be able to explain the difference between vegetable and chrome dyes, how their use has changed over the years, and outline the advantages of both.