Evening star., 1909-04-18
Hotc this clipping from Washington Times
April Is.
RUGS ARE WASHED"
TO INCREASE VALUE
ConsuI's Report From India
Details Methods in Mod
ern Factories.

In a. recent report by William II.
Michael. United States consul general
to Calcutta. India. an interesting and
instructive account Is given of "the
making of India rugs" Mr.. Michaei
describes i'm detail the methods in use
at the model factories in India. which
he examined very thoroughly. lie
says, in part:
The United States buys each year
many thousand dollars worth OF what
are known to the profession as washed
rugs Brightly colored oriental rugs
are sometimes washed with solution
of chloride of lime. which treatment
partially bleaches the colors and inn
parts a soft appearance to the rug.
This chemical treatment Is process
of washing which produces the ef-
feet of age and peculiar sheen to the
surface that is pointed out by the
INSCRIPTIONS seller as a proof of SUI
perior quality.
Is Harmful.
'The fact is, the process of wash
ing as described invariably weakens
rails of the rug. The progressive ef-
feet of the chemicals on the materials
In the rug is as follows: The chlorine
gas contained in the chloride of lime
attracts oxygen and moisture from the
air. by which muriatic acid is formed,
which eats away the vitals of the rug.
Sooner or later the wool and cotton in
h4 h,i$+ th,,c
weakens the warp and deteriorates the
wool. When this deterioration is
complete the pile of the rug may be
swept away by the ordinary process
Of sweeping, and the warp, which Is
the foundation of the rug. becomes so
weak that holes appear here and there
and very soon the rug is worthless.
How can this disastrous treatment
OF rugs be- avoided and still give the
lover Of antique effect what he de-
sires? The only answer must be that
the antique effect shall be obtained
by scientifically correct dyeing (Which
means also honest dyeing) and correct
technical blending of the colors in the
rugs.
Produces Effect.
by this method the perfect antique
effect can be produced. and at the
same time thoroughly desirable rug
be had-one that will equal the old
Persian rug in appearance and possess
all the strength and vitality that a
rug can have.
TT not unfrequently happens that a
Persian rug Is too staring for in
stance. in red, and Is not saIable.
The unscrupulous dealer will subject
the rug to series of washings in
chemically prepared water. and in this
way turn out rug possessing a soft
and antique sheen truly captivating.
and finds a ready purchaser at an ad-
vanced price. whereas If the truth was
known the customer would turn away
In disgust. It is a pity that so many
americans are thus deceived-in fact,
defrauded and robbed
Not All Alike.
According to reliable rug dealers. all
rug washing is not to be condemned.
If rug is washed by an inexperienced
worker the chemicals are allowed to
saturate the piece. thus reaching the
warp and destroying its strength. A
rug properly washed, they say, should
last lifetime.
This brings up, of course. the uues-
ton OF how the prospective buyer is
to know the difference between the
two. The only answer to this. of
course, is to buy rugs from a respon-
sible house. where the purchaser NAV
get the benefit of expert advice, and
where the dominating factor i'm every
transaction Is that the customer must
be satisfied.