The Washington times., 1909-04-15
RUGS ARE WASHED"
TO INCREASE VALUE
Consul'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. Michael de-
scribes In detail the methods in use at
the model factories in India, which he
examined very thoroughly. He 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 Orien al rugs
are sometimes washed with a solution
of chloride Of lime. which treatment
partially bleaches the colors ard i'm
parts a soft appearance to the rug.
This chemical treatment is process OF
washing which produces the effect Of
age and peculiar sheen to the surface
that is pointed out by the unsCrupulous
seller as a proof of superior quality
Is Harmful
''The fact is. the process of washing
as described invariably weakens and IN
some cases destroys the materials OF
the rug. The progressive effect Of the
chemicals on the materials in the rug
is as follows: The chlorine gas con-
taintd 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 the rug
become brittle, and thus 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 ap-
pear 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 desires
The only answer must be that the an
tique effect shall be obtained by scien-
tihcally correct dyeing (Which means
also honest dyeing) and correct tech
meal blending Of the colors in the rugs
Produces Effect.
"By this method the perfect antique
effect can be produced. and at the same
time a 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.
1T not unfreouently happens that a
Persian rug is too staring, for instance
] in red, and Is not salable. The unscru-
pulous dealer will subject the rug TO q
/ series OF washings in chemically pre-
/ pared water, and In this way turn out
/ a rug possessing a soft and antique
/ sheen truly captivating, and finds &
/ ready purchaser at an advanced price
/ whereas II the truth was known tnt
/ customer would turn away in disgust
/ II is pity that so many Americans arr
thus deceived--in fact, defrauded anC
| robbed"
Not All Alike.
According to reliable rug dealers. al
rug washing is not TO be condemned
a rug is washed by an inexperience'
worker the chemicals are allowed Z
saturate the piece. thus reaching tn
warp and destroying its strength !
rug properly washed, they say, Shouts
last a lifetime.
| This brings up. of course, the ques
| ton Of how the prospective buyer 1
| 70 know the difference between the two
The only answer to this. Of course, (
TO buy rugs from a responsible house
where the purchaser may get the bene
fit Of expert advice, and where tn
Dominating factor in every TRANSACTION
is that the customer must be satisfied