QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Handmade Rug FAQs
Find clear answers about choosing, ordering, shipping, caring for and commissioning an Ararat rug. If you need personal advice, send us your room dimensions or a photograph and our team will be pleased to help.
Choosing a Rug
Are Ararat rugs handmade?
Yes. Rugs produced by Ararat are woven by hand on traditional looms rather than manufactured by machine. Depending on the design, they may be hand-knotted or flat-woven. Small variations in line, shape and texture are signs of the individual maker and the handweaving process.
Our antique and vintage collections were also made by hand in their original places and periods. The construction, origin and age of each collectible piece are described individually whenever known.
Will I receive the exact rug shown in the photographs?
For antique, vintage and individually coded inventory, the photographs generally show the exact piece identified by its product code. These rugs are usually unique, so once a piece is sold the same object cannot be replaced.
If a listing is made to order, available in more than one piece or represents a design that can be rewoven, this should be stated on the product page. You are welcome to ask us to confirm before purchasing.
How accurately do the photographs show the rug’s colors?
We photograph our rugs carefully, but color can appear different according to screen settings, daylight, indoor lighting and viewing direction. Wool pile reflects light differently when viewed from opposite ends, and naturally dyed yarn may contain subtle tonal movement known as abrash.
If color matching is important, contact us for additional photographs or a video taken in natural light. We will gladly focus on the areas or colors you would like to examine.
Are the listed dimensions exact, and do they include the fringe?
Handmade rugs are not mechanically uniform, so measurements should be understood as very close approximations. A rug may differ slightly in width or length from one side to the other.
If the rug must fit a precise architectural space, doorway or piece of furniture, ask us to confirm the woven dimensions and the full edge-to-edge dimensions, including fringe where applicable, before ordering.
How do I choose the right rug size for my room?
Begin with the furniture arrangement rather than the empty floor. In a living room, the rug should normally connect the seating group; in a dining room, allow enough space for chairs to remain on the rug when pulled back; beside a bed, consider where your feet naturally land.
Mark the proposed size on the floor with painter’s tape and live with the outline for a day. You can also send us a room photograph, a simple plan and your measurements for a personal recommendation.
Can you help me select a rug remotely?
Yes. Send us photographs of the room, approximate floor dimensions, furniture sizes, preferred colors and your delivery country. We can suggest suitable pieces, provide more detailed images or videos and help compare scale, color and character.
For professional projects, please also share plans, elevations, material samples or presentation boards if available.
Are irregularities or color variations considered defects?
No. Slight variations in knotting, line, symmetry, yarn thickness and color are natural characteristics of handwoven rugs. Abrash—the gradual tonal change created by hand-spun wool or different dye batches—is especially valued because it gives the surface depth and records the weaving process.
Condition issues such as holes, significant loss, later repairs or structural damage are different and should be disclosed separately for antique and vintage pieces.
Can I see the rugs in person?
Yes. Ararat Rugs welcomes visitors at our Istanbul and Tokyo showrooms. Because particular rugs may be stored or displayed at different locations, contact us before visiting if you wish to see a specific product code.
Our Malatya location is part of our production and natural-dye work rather than a public retail showroom.
Materials, Dyes & Craftsmanship
What materials are used in Ararat-produced rugs?
Wool is our principal material, selected from the steppes and highlands of Anatolia and Asia for durability, elasticity and character. Much of the yarn is hand-spun, which creates the subtle variations in texture associated with traditional weaving.
Materials can differ by rug family and construction, so the individual product description is the most specific reference. Learn more on our Materials & Wool page.
Are antique and vintage rugs made from the same materials?
Not necessarily. Antique and vintage rugs can contain wool, cotton, silk, goat hair or combinations of fibers, depending on their region, period and purpose. Their dyes and any historic repairs may also differ from those used in present-day Ararat production.
We therefore describe collectible pieces individually rather than applying one material claim to the entire antique and vintage collection.
How are the colors in Ararat-produced rugs created?
Our natural-dye work draws on historic Anatolian recipes and uses plant materials such as madder root, chamomile, walloon oak and henna, together with naturally colored, undyed wool. The wool is prepared and dyed in our Malatya workshop before being distributed for weaving.
Natural dyeing produces color within the fiber rather than printing color on the surface. Read more about the materials, mordants and process on our Natural Dyes & Colors page.
Does “natural dye” mean that no chemistry is involved?
Natural dyeing is a controlled process and should not be described as literally “chemical-free.” Plant dyes are combined with water and carefully selected mordants that help the color bond with the wool fiber. This traditional chemistry is different from printing or coating a finished rug with surface color.
Because antique and vintage rugs come from many periods and workshops, their dye composition can vary and is considered separately.
What is abrash?
Abrash is a visible change in tone within a rug, often caused by variations in hand-spun wool, natural fleece color or separate dye batches. It may appear as gentle horizontal bands or subtle changes across motifs and fields.
In handwoven rugs, abrash is normally a valued characteristic rather than fading or damage. It gives the surface movement and makes each weaving individual.
Is initial shedding normal?
A small amount of loose surface fiber can be normal with a new wool rug, particularly during the first weeks of use. It should gradually reduce with gentle, regular vacuuming.
Use suction without a rotating beater bar and do not pull individual fibers. If shedding is heavy, continues without improvement or exposes the foundation, send us photographs so we can assess it.
Care, Cleaning & Repair
How should I vacuum a handmade rug?
Vacuum gently in the direction of the pile using suction only. Avoid aggressive rotating brushes or beater bars, which can pull wool, damage fringe and place unnecessary stress on older foundations.
Vacuum the floor beneath the rug periodically and clean the reverse side carefully when needed. Never vacuum fringe repeatedly; straighten it by hand instead.
What should I do if I spill something on the rug?
Act quickly, but do not scrub. Lift any solid material, then blot the liquid with clean, absorbent white towels, working from the outside toward the center. Avoid rubbing, hot water, bleach, household stain removers and excessive moisture.
Because the correct treatment depends on the fiber, dye and substance spilled, contact a specialist before applying a cleaning product—especially for antique, silk or naturally dyed rugs.
Can I wash my rug at home?
Ararat-produced wool rugs are washable, but full washing requires the correct control of water, temperature, rinsing and drying. We do not recommend machine washing or saturating a rug without understanding its fibers, dyes and construction.
Antique, vintage, silk, damaged, repaired, glued or color-unstable rugs should not be washed at home. Contact us or an experienced handwoven-rug cleaner before attempting full washing.
How often should a handmade rug be professionally cleaned?
There is no single schedule for every rug. Cleaning frequency depends on foot traffic, pets, dust, spills, climate and whether the rug is used with shoes. Regular gentle vacuuming reduces the need for frequent washing.
Professional cleaning is appropriate when soil remains after vacuuming, odors persist, a spill requires treatment or the rug is being assessed for restoration. Antique pieces should be examined before any wet process.
Should I rotate the rug or protect it from sunlight?
Rotate the rug periodically so traffic and light are distributed more evenly. Strong, continuous sunlight can change both natural and synthetic colors over time, so use curtains, blinds or UV-filtering glass where exposure is intense.
Color change should be expected gradually in any textile. Rotation helps it develop more evenly rather than concentrating wear or light on one area.
Do I need a rug pad?
A suitable rug pad can reduce slipping, soften impact and protect both the rug and floor. Choose a breathable, non-staining pad designed for your specific flooring and cut slightly smaller than the rug so it remains invisible.
Avoid adhesive tapes, rubber products that may transfer or harden, and pads that trap moisture. Ask your flooring manufacturer if the finish has special requirements.
Do you repair and restore damaged rugs?
Yes. Ararat Studios undertakes the repair and restoration of antique, vintage and valuable rugs. We first examine the construction, fibers, dyes, condition and earlier repairs, then explain the proposed work and provide an estimate before beginning.
Send clear photographs of the front, back, full rug and damaged areas, together with the dimensions and your location. Every restoration is evaluated individually because the goal is to stabilize the rug while respecting its age and character. Explore our Ararat Studios services.
Custom & Oversized Rugs
Can you make a rug in a custom size, color or design?
Yes. We create handmade rugs for private clients, designers, architects, hospitality projects and institutions. A commission may adapt an Ararat design to your dimensions and palette or begin with an original idea, drawing, family motif, artwork or project brief.
We review the design, size, colors, materials, knotting or weaving technique and intended use before preparing the proposal. Visit our Custom Rugs page to begin.
How does the custom-rug process work?
The process normally begins with your measurements, visual references and practical requirements. Our design team develops the composition and color direction, confirms the suitable materials and construction, and prepares a quotation and estimated production schedule.
Production begins after the design, commercial terms and relevant samples are approved. We then share progress information during weaving and arrange finishing, inspection and insured delivery when the rug is complete.
Can you recreate a historic or museum rug?
We can study historic carpets and create carefully researched interpretations using traditional techniques, natural materials and an appropriate palette. Feasibility depends on the quality of the reference, the rug’s scale and structure, and any intellectual-property or reproduction permissions that may apply.
Where an exact recreation is not suitable, we can develop a new work inspired by the proportions, motifs or visual language of the historic example.
Can you weave an oversized rug in one piece?
Yes. Ararat Studios has large looms designed to weave oversized rugs as a single piece rather than joining separate panels. This preserves continuity of pattern, structure and surface across the entire carpet.
Large commissions require careful planning for the loom, materials, weaving team, finishing, access and final installation. See our Oversized Rugs capabilities.
How long does a custom rug take to produce?
The schedule depends on dimensions, knot density, design complexity, color development, material preparation and the weaving calendar. Many custom rugs require several months; very large, finely knotted or unusually complex pieces can take considerably longer and may approach a year.
We provide a project-specific estimate before production begins rather than applying one general timeline to every commission.
Can I follow the weaving process?
Yes. For commissioned rugs, we provide progress information and images during production. The frequency and format are agreed as part of the project; our standard approach is to keep clients informed regularly by email as the work advances.
Workshop visits may also be possible by prior arrangement, depending on the location and stage of production.
How is the price of a custom rug calculated?
Pricing reflects the rug’s size, materials, knot density or weaving technique, design development, number of colors, finishing requirements and production time. Oversized pieces may also require special handling, packaging, transport or installation planning.
Once we understand the brief, we provide a written quotation so the scope and price are clear before production begins.
Orders, Trade & Payment
Which payment methods do you accept?
Available online payment methods are displayed securely at checkout and may vary by country. These can include major credit cards and other payment services supported by the selected market.
Bank transfer can also be arranged for eligible orders and professional projects. Contact us before transferring funds so we can issue the correct invoice and banking instructions.
Which currencies can I use?
Use the country and currency selector on the website to view available market pricing. The final currency, amount and payment options are confirmed at checkout or on your quotation.
If you require an invoice or bank-transfer quotation in a particular supported currency, contact us before placing the order.
Is online payment secure?
Online card payments are processed through secure payment providers rather than being manually stored by Ararat Rugs. The exact authentication method can depend on your card issuer, country and selected payment option.
Never send full card information by email or message. If you have difficulty at checkout, contact us and we will help you use an appropriate secure method.
Do you provide an invoice and documentation?
Yes. We issue a sales invoice using the personal or company information supplied for the order. Relevant product documentation may include the product code, material or care information and other records appropriate to the piece.
If you need specific company details, purchase-order references or customs information on the invoice, provide them before the document and shipment are prepared.
Do you work with interior designers, architects and trade clients?
Yes. We collaborate with designers, architects, galleries, hospitality businesses and institutions on individual purchases, custom production and larger projects. Services can include sourcing, alternative selections, custom sizes and colors, quotations, project documentation and coordinated delivery.
Contact us with your company information, project location, schedule and specifications so we can discuss the appropriate trade arrangement.
Shipping, Customs & Returns
Do you ship worldwide, and is shipping free?
Yes. Ararat Rugs provides complimentary worldwide shipping on all orders. Shipments are professionally packed and insured against loss or damage during transit.
Import duties, VAT, brokerage charges and other government fees are separate from the shipping fee and may still apply depending on the destination.
How long does international delivery take?
Most international orders are delivered within 7–10 business days after dispatch. This estimate begins when the order leaves us, not when a made-to-order or custom commission is placed.
Delivery can take longer because of destination, customs clearance, local holidays, remote-area service or carrier operations. We will share tracking information after dispatch.
Which carriers do you use, and can I track my order?
We work with professional international carriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS, selecting the service appropriate for the destination and package. After dispatch, we provide the tracking number and carrier information.
Very large or unusually valuable pieces may require a specialist freight or delivery arrangement, which will be explained before shipment.
Will I have to pay customs duties or import taxes?
Possibly. For international orders, customs duties, import VAT, brokerage fees and other government charges may be assessed by the destination country. Unless your product page, quotation, invoice or order confirmation expressly states otherwise, these charges are the customer’s responsibility and are not included in the purchase price.
Customs rules are determined by local authorities. We can help with an estimate before purchase, but the final assessment is made by the destination country.
Can I send an order to a different address or country?
Yes, provided that the destination is supported by the carrier and the order passes any required payment or export checks. Enter the correct delivery address at checkout or contact us before shipment if the billing and delivery details differ.
For gifts, professional installations or time-sensitive deliveries, tell us in advance so we can confirm documentation, contact details and timing.
What should I do if my order arrives damaged or incorrect?
Inspect the package and rug as soon as it arrives. If the shipment is damaged, defective or incorrect, contact us immediately and keep all packaging until we advise you otherwise.
Send photographs of the outer package, shipping label, protective materials and affected area. This documentation allows us to evaluate the issue quickly and, where necessary, open an insurance claim with the carrier.
What is your return policy?
You may request a return within 14 days after receiving your item. The item must be in the same condition in which it was received, unused, with its tags and original packaging, and accompanied by proof of purchase. Please contact us before sending anything back; unapproved returns are not accepted.
The customer is responsible for return shipping. Full conditions, including the EU cooling-off period, are available in our Refund Policy.
Can I cancel an order before it ships?
Contact us immediately. An in-stock order can normally be stopped if it has not already been dispatched. Once a shipment has left, the return procedure applies instead.
For custom or made-to-order work, cancellation conditions depend on the approved project terms and stage of production. These conditions should be stated in the quotation or order confirmation, and applicable legal rights remain unaffected.
How are exchanges and refunds handled?
The fastest way to exchange an item is normally to complete an approved return and place a separate order for the new piece. Once a returned item has been received and inspected, we will notify you whether the refund is approved.
Approved refunds are sent to the original payment method within 10 business days, although the bank or card provider may require additional processing time. Please see our Refund Policy for the current terms.
What happens if I refuse a shipment or do not pay the import charges?
If a shipment is refused or returned because customs duties, taxes or import fees were not paid, return shipping, customs charges, storage fees and related expenses may be deducted from any applicable refund.
Contact us before ordering if you would like help understanding possible import costs. The complete terms are in our Shipping Policy.