FAQ

Host® Dry Cleaning Equipment Rentals
Sharian is an authorized location for rentals of in-home Host(r) Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaner equipment. The Host system dissolves, absorbs and traps soil, spots and odors as it cleans, leaving your carpet dry and ready to use and enjoy right away. Visit our Decatur store to rent your Host system today.

Sharian offers pick-up and delivery in many areas of Atlanta at a minimal charge. However, a 20% cleaning discount is offered to those who bring in their rugs and pay by credit card or cash.

Generally, we pick up and deliver in Atlanta and Buckhead on Mondays and Wednesdays; in Dekalb and Gwinnett Counties on Tuesdays; in Marietta and Alpharetta on Thursdays; and in Columbus on Fridays.

For those outside our regular pick-up and delivery area, we may be able to arrange a special bulk pick-up for an appropriate number of rugs. If you and your neighbors are considering having many rugs cleaned simultaneously, please call us to see what might be arranged.

Abrash – A change in the color of a rug due to differences in the wool or dye batch. The color and change runs across the rug, and is most likely to occur at the top.

Art Deco – A design style developed in the 1920s and ’30s in Europe and the U.S. Typical motifs include geometric shapes, stylized animals, foliage and sun rays.

Aubusson – A style of flat-woven rug originally created in the French village of Aubusson, a center for the production of tapestries and furniture coverings since the 16th century. Aubusson rugs are known for their floral and Chinoiserie patterns.

Bokhara or Bukhara – Named for their city of origin in Western Uzbekistan, Bokhara rugs have small, repeating geometric designs, including the elephant foot and octagonal “gul” motifs in greens, reds, whites and browns. Bokhara rugs are also referred to as Beshir rugs, Turkoman rugs or Samarkand rugs.

Boteh – A pear-shaped figure often used in Oriental rug designs, characteristic of the paisley pattern. The boteh may represent a leaf, bush or a pinecone.

Chain Stitch – A crochet stitch used in rug construction that consists of successive loops to lock the final weft in place at the end of a rug.

Field – The part of a rug’s design surrounded by the border. The field may be blank or contain medallions or an overall pattern.

Fringe – Warps extending from the ends of a rug which are treated in several ways to prevent the wefts and knots from unraveling. Note that not all Oriental rugs have fringe.

Gul – A medallion either octagonal or angular in shape, used in Pakistani designs. It is often repeated to form an overall pattern in the field.

Heriz or Herez – An Oriental rug made in northwestern Iran and characterized by strong angular design and an ivory background.

Kerman or Kirman – An Iranian province which produces rugs characterized by elaborate fluid designs and soft colors.

Medallion – The large enclosed portion of a design, usually in the center. Typical shapes are diamonds, octagons and hexagons.

Persian Knot – Also known as the Senneh Knot, and used in India, Pakistan, Central and Western Iran and China, it is looped around one thread with only a half-turn around the other thread.

Sarouk – A village near Hamadan in western Iran, known for carpets of fine compact weave, mellow colors and fluid medallion designs.

Savonnerie – La Savonnerie, a carpet factory, was established in 1628 on the site of a former soap factory at Chaillot, near the Seine in Paris. Savonnerie rugs typically feature a center medallion and peripheral border and are often large in size. Motifs are often carved in the rug, adding texture.

Tabriz – A city in northwestern Iran, known for rugs with a firm wool pile and medallion design, usually tied with a Senneh or Persian knot.

Turkish Knot – Also known as the Ghiordes Knot, and used in Turkey, Western Iran and the Caucasus, it is tied around two adjacent warp threads.

Warp – Comprising the structure of the rug, parallel warp yarns run the length of the rug, and are interlaced with wefts.

Weft – The yarns woven horizontally through the warps.

Q: What should I look for when buying an Oriental rug?

A: Of course, the most important aspect about buying a fine rug is working with a knowledgeable rug retailer you can trust – one who can assure you that you’re getting what you pay for. Then it comes down to aesthetics and budget. What colors do you like? Light or deep? Do you prefer traditional or more contemporary patterns? Florals? Geometrics? Are you trying to match certain fabrics or paint colors? Do you want a rug with a medallion or one with an all-over design? Do you want a new rug or an older one? Finally, how much do you want to spend? Remember, you can get good value in every price range.

Most interior designers and decorators recommend starting your décor with the rug – either as the backdrop or the focal point of the room. Once the rug is chosen, the rest of the room can be planned to match that palette.

If you’ve thought about the answers to some of these questions, call us before you come to Sharian and tell us what you have in mind. We’ll be happy to pre-select appropriate rugs before you arrive.

Q: Why should I buy a fine rug?

A: Fine Oriental rugs have intrigued buyers for centuries. Not just because of their beauty and durability, but because of their investment quality. Many fine rugs improve with age, as their colors mellow and they develop lovely patinas. Their craftsmanship and individuality make them more than just floor-coverings – they’re works of art.

The Oriental rugs we sell are made exclusively by hand. Working on a loom, the weaver knots colored wool yarn around cotton threads called warps. Knots are tied around the warp threads all the way across the rug, then a horizontal or weft thread is woven across the top of the knots and pounded down with a comb. Then another row is begun. A skilled weaver can tie from 10,000 to 14,000 knots in one day, which translates to just one inch across the entire width of a 6′ x 9′ rug with 160 knots per inch. It will take a weaver approximately five months to complete a rug of that size.

Q: How do I choose the right rug size for my space?

A: As a rule of thumb, in most rooms you’ll probably want a space of 1.5 to 3 feet between the edge of the rug and the wall. However, there are many exceptions to this rule. When you’re here, we can discuss the room size, use and furniture layout, and help you choose a rug that fits just right.

Q: How do I take care of my fine rug?

A:With proper care, Oriental rugs can last for generations. We recommend using rug padding to help protect rugs from wear, dirt and slippage.

Rugs should be professionally cleaned at least every one to three years, depending on the amount of traffic, environmental conditions and soil.

Vacuuming your rug regularly will remove harmful grit and loose soil. If your rug is fringed, be careful to keep the vacuum off the fringe to prevent damage. For antiques and flatweaves, it is preferable to use a carpet sweeper instead of a vacuum cleaner.

Q: How can I spot-clean my rug?

A: If a spill occurs, try to take care of it immediately. Carefully blot up spills using clean white tissues, napkins or towels. Be sure to blot only – do not rub. Rubbing can cause permanent damage to the rug fibers.

Test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness before you try to clean your rug with a cleaning agent. (For specific cleaning instructions, download our list of stain removal methods and spotting formulas).

Pretest the spot removal formula in an inconspicuous area of the rug. If the dye bleeds, have the rug professionally cleaned.

Do not overwet the rug. Work with small amounts of formula and blot frequently. Work from the outside of the spot toward the inside. Be patient since some stains respond slowly. And remember, haphazard attempts at cleaning may result in permanent stains.

Abrash – A change in the color of a rug due to differences in the wool or dye batch. The color and change runs across the rug, and is most likely to occur at the top.

Art Deco – A design style developed in the 1920s and ’30s in Europe and the U.S. Typical motifs include geometric shapes, stylized animals, foliage and sun rays.

Aubusson – A style of flat-woven rug originally created in the French village of Aubusson, a center for the production of tapestries and furniture coverings since the 16th century. Aubusson rugs are known for their floral and Chinoiserie patterns.

Bokhara or Bukhara – Named for their city of origin in Western Uzbekistan, Bokhara rugs have small, repeating geometric designs, including the elephant foot and octagonal “gul” motifs in greens, reds, whites and browns. Bokhara rugs are also referred to as Beshir rugs, Turkoman rugs or Samarkand rugs.

Boteh – A pear-shaped figure often used in Oriental rug designs, characteristic of the paisley pattern. The boteh may represent a leaf, bush or a pinecone.

Chain Stitch – A crochet stitch used in rug construction that consists of successive loops to lock the final weft in place at the end of a rug.

Field – The part of a rug’s design surrounded by the border. The field may be blank or contain medallions or an overall pattern.

Fringe – Warps extending from the ends of a rug which are treated in several ways to prevent the wefts and knots from unraveling. Note that not all Oriental rugs have fringe.

Gul – A medallion either octagonal or angular in shape, used in Pakistani designs. It is often repeated to form an overall pattern in the field.

Heriz or Herez – An Oriental rug made in northwestern Iran and characterized by strong angular design and an ivory background.

Kerman or Kirman – An Iranian province which produces rugs characterized by elaborate fluid designs and soft colors.

Medallion – The large enclosed portion of a design, usually in the center. Typical shapes are diamonds, octagons and hexagons.

Persian Knot – Also known as the Senneh Knot, and used in India, Pakistan, Central and Western Iran and China, it is looped around one thread with only a half-turn around the other thread.

Sarouk – A village near Hamadan in western Iran, known for carpets of fine compact weave, mellow colors and fluid medallion designs.

Savonnerie – La Savonnerie, a carpet factory, was established in 1628 on the site of a former soap factory at Chaillot, near the Seine in Paris. Savonnerie rugs typically feature a center medallion and peripheral border and are often large in size. Motifs are often carved in the rug, adding texture.

Tabriz – A city in northwestern Iran, known for rugs with a firm wool pile and medallion design, usually tied with a Senneh or Persian knot.

Turkish Knot – Also known as the Ghiordes Knot, and used in Turkey, Western Iran and the Caucasus, it is tied around two adjacent warp threads.

Warp – Comprising the structure of the rug, parallel warp yarns run the length of the rug, and are interlaced with wefts.

Weft – The yarns woven horizontally through the warps.

With proper care, Oriental rugs can last for generations. We recommend using rug padding to help protect rugs from wear, dirt and slippage.

Rugs should be professionally cleaned at least every one to four years, depending on the amount of traffic, environmental conditions and soil.

Vacuuming your rug regularly will remove harmful grit and loose soil. If your rug is fringed, be careful to keep the vacuum off the fringe to prevent damage. For antiques and flatweaves, it is preferable to use a carpet sweeper instead of a vacuum cleaner.

How to Handle Spills
If a spill occurs, try to take care of it immediately. Carefully blot up spills using clean white tissues, napkins or towels. Be sure to blot only – do not rub. Rubbing can cause permanent damage to the rug fibers.

Test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness before you try to clean your rug with a cleaning agent. (For specific cleaning instructions, download our list of stain removal methods and spotting formulas.)

Pretest the spot removal formula in an inconspicuous area of the rug. If the dye bleeds, have the rug professionally cleaned.

Do not over wet the rug. Work with small amounts of formula and blot frequently. Work from the outside of the spot toward the inside. Be patient since some stains respond slowly. And remember, haphazard attempts at cleaning may result in permanent stains.

If you have any questions, please call us for assistance at (404) 373-2274.

Click here to download our list of stain removal methods (PDF).