Hi there, folks!  Ruthie with Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care here and I know that it can sometimes be easy to think you have a really high quality area rug just because your rug is made from wool.  Wool is the superior fiber for area rugs, but that doesn’t always mean that it’s a high quality rug. Pet owners know that cat and dog hair varies from breed to breed - well the same thing goes for sheep wool, too!  Generally speaking, you can expect the finer, higher-quality wools to come with a higher price tag to match.

What are a few characteristics that vary depending on the quality of the wool?

• Strength of the fibers

• Length of wool

• Softness

Every little thing about the quality of wool plays into how it is valued.  The highest quality wools are usually used for clothing while the more coarse wool is used in area rugs.  This is because coarse wool is sturdier and holds up better against foot traffic and multiple cleanings over the years.  Another factor that plays into an area rug’s price is also it’s construction, but that’s another topic for later!

I always advise my clients to do their homework prior to purchasing an area rug.  It is a little unrealistic to expect a salesperson to have the answers to all of your rug questions unless you’re in a high-end rug gallery.  Think of it this way - the higher the price tag, the more research you should do to ensure you’re getting what you’re paying for!

Regardless of the price of your rug or the quality of the wool used in it’s construction, Arizona Oriental is here to help you with all of your area rug care needs!  From cleaning to repairs to helping you preserve your rug in storage, we are always more than happy to care for Northern Arizona’s wool rugs!

Till next time, enjoy your beautiful art for your floor and remember a clean rug is a rug that can last you a lifetime!

Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care serves Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona, Flagstaff, and much of the Northern Arizona areas.  We meet the highest standards in professional cleaning of area rugs with rug wash specialists having earned the highest training, including certification as WOOLSAFE FIBRE CARE SPECIALISTS through the WOOLSAFE ORGANISATION.  Such extraordinary certification ensures our client’s area rugs receive the highest quality care.

If you would like more information about the difference in area rug wools, give us a call at 928-445-1718, visit our website at www.ArizonaOriental.com, or stop by Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at our rug washing facility at 565 EZ Street, Prescott, AZ 86301 (pick-up and delivery also available). 06-21-2019