If you love buying living room area oriental rugs that are genuine, handmade. There is a chance that you have been sold a fake one which is made by a machine. Here is how you can check the authenticity of an oriental rug.

Look At the Edges

You can tell the difference between a genuine and a fake oriental rug by looking at the edges. An authentic rug will be made using a loom and this is what causes the fringes of the rug whether short or long. If the fringe is sewn to the end, it is a fake one. Looking at the edges, if it is done in an overwrapping technique which would appear a little unfinished, it is authentic, otherwise it is a fake.

Checking the Backside of the Rug

One of the easiest ways to tell the authenticity of a rug is to flip it and check the back. Handmade rugs are woven by hand and they would always have a soft back which is a mirror image of the pattern on the front. If there are knots that are different sizes and doesn’t naturally align with the pattern then it is the real deal. A synthetic rug will always have the perfect back image with perfect alignment of the threads.

Another specific thing that can be determined if the area rug is made out of synthetic materials like polypropylene, nylon or polyester is that there will be a hard plastic back. This feature trumps any other signs because it is a clear indicator that the rug is not made out of wool. A synthetic rug may be cheaper but it wouldn’t last longer like a handmade rug would do.

Bleeding Colors

When the oriental rugs were first invented, they were hand-knotted and the color was added. That color was of natural vegetables because there were no chemicals available at that time. The same practice is done even today. Rugs that bleed color are the ones that use artificial colors which isn’t the one you are looking for. Colorfast dye on rugs is important to create a long-lasting and an authentic oriental. Color testing these area oriental rugs is important. Take a damp cloth and place it on the rug overnight. Of course, you will need to consent with the seller but if they have claimed that it is a genuine handmade rug then they will have no problem with that.

The Rug Is Not Made of Wool

Wool is the charm of Oriental rugs and it makes a rug soft and gentle. If a rug is not made out of synthetic materials other than wool, then it is not genuine. The art of handmade area oriental rugs is ancient and what better way to praise this art than making it from the same material. Synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, etc. are made out of petroleum, which is harmful to you and the environment. Wool, on the other hand, is a natural material which doesn’t have any negative health hazards as it is antiallergic, antibacterial, flame retardant and durable for a very long time whereas a synthetic rug will last up to 3 years with regular maintenance. Make sure to check the material before deciding to buy a rug.

Hand-Knotted > Hand Tufted

If a rug has a tag that clearly says that it is hand-tufted then you should know that it might not be the same thing as hand-knotted. Hand knotting is a traditional way to make rugs that have been going for centuries. Hand tufting is basically an easy way of making rugs that require very little training and technique. It requires a tufting gun that punches the design on the back of the canvas. A hand-tufted rug is also not very durable and would last less than a decade. Avoid these area oriental rugs and choose a genuine hand-knotted rug instead which may cost a bit more than hand-tufted rugs.

Also, you must make sure that the claimed handmade rugs Northern VA are not suspiciously cheaper and if they do, there may be some defects in them. These rugs require skill, which means higher wages and production cost – that’s why they are better and expensive.