| A: | These are small white, or off-white, spots that appear at random on the rug's surface. These "spots" are actually knots from the rug's cotton foundation yarns that have worked their way up to the surface of the rug, sandwiched between the pile fibers and thus exposed as part of the pile.
How and why do these "white knots" occur, and why are they more noticeable after a thorough professional cleaning? The rug's pile is actually hand-knotted onto a foundation of warp and weft yarns. In most Oriental rugs, this foundation is composed of off-white or light colored yarns. Because the cotton comes in short lengths, several pieces will be knotted together to make the appropriate length. Inevitably, during the weaving process, some of these yarns will break and need to be spliced together, creating additional knots.
When a rug is new, the white knots can be obscured by the full length of rug pile surrounding them. These knots are bulkier than the surrounding face fibers, and ordinary foot traffic will force them to the surface at the same time that the pile fibers are wearing down. Since they are a different material and color than the face fibers, they may be a cause for concern. Their appearance is normal and careful inspection can often find them in almost any Oriental rug -- it is a feature of these unique rugs whose face and foundation are both made by hand.
Immediately following completion of the rug weaving, or during distribution and retailing, the more obvious knots may be colored over with a slight tint or dye marker. As the rug is used, the knots will darken and become obscured with surface soiling. Following a thorough in-plant cleaning, the soil and the tint are removed making the knots more prominent. This is neither a defect in the rug nor a problem with the cleaning process, but rather a normal result from the use of your Oriental rug. An added service, if desired, can be provided to recolor these white knots to make them less conspicuous. |
