Side-by-side, from a conservator's eye
Origin, construction, materials, and value — compared honestly, without a winner/loser framing. Written from forty-plus years of hands-on conservation work.
- Us vs. Alternatives
Rug Cleaning vs Carpet Cleaning — Why They Are Not the Same Service
Different objects, different processes. What a carpet cleaner does to a wool rug, and why hand-washing is the difference.
Ghorban Ahmadi4 min readApril 23, 2026 - Us vs. Alternatives
Ruggable vs Traditional Rugs
Where machine-washable rugs make sense, where they don't, and how the construction differs from a hand-knotted rug.
Ghorban Ahmadi4 min readApril 22, 2026 - Origin
Persian vs Turkish Rugs
Knot structure, design tradition, color palette, and price — the real differences between the two great rug-weaving traditions.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Origin
Oushak vs Persian Rugs
Ottoman court weaving against Persia's city tradition — knot structure, design scale, pastel vs jewel-tone palettes, durability, and where each fits.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Construction
Kilim vs Pile Rugs
Flatweave tapestry vs knotted pile — how each is made, feel and durability trade-offs, care differences, where each belongs, and why kilims cost less.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Construction
Hand-Knotted vs Hand-Tufted Rugs
Why construction method drives an order-of-magnitude difference in price, lifespan, and how the rug can be cleaned.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Us vs. Alternatives
Why Not a Carpet Cleaner for Your Rug?
Steam cleaning and hot-water extraction permanently damage hand-knotted rugs. What to do instead.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Material
Wool vs Silk Rugs
Durability, feel, cleaning, and price compared — and where each fiber belongs in a home, from a conservator who works with both daily.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Age & Condition
Antique vs Vintage vs New Rugs
The industry-standard age definitions, how age actually affects value and condition, and which to buy for daily use vs display.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Material
Natural vs Synthetic Rug Dyes
How to identify each, why natural dyes are prized, whether modern synthetics are actually inferior, and how dye affects cleaning and value.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Us vs. Alternatives
Professional vs DIY Rug Cleaning
What DIY actually covers, the risk matrix, real cost comparison, the Rug Doctor trap, and when professional is non-negotiable.
Ghorban Ahmadi - Construction
Oriental Rug vs Area Rug
Definitions, construction, materials, lifespan, price, cleaning, and honest guidance on which to buy for your room.
Ghorban Ahmadi