13 Fun Facts About Rugs and Carpets

Are you a rug lover who’s always been curious about the history and origin of these enchanting beauties of the East?

If yes, then you’ve come to the right place!

Below we’ve listed down some of the most interesting handmade rug facts that’ll make you think twice, so keep reading!

Feeling your curiosity arousing? Want to know some interesting things about those soft, fuzzy art pieces adorning your floor? Here’s the list:

• The term “carpet” comes from a Latin word “carpere”, which translates to “to pluck”. The reason behind this may be the fact that carpets were originally made out of “plucked” fabric. What’s more interesting is that the word carpet has the same root as the famous Latin phrase “carpe diem” which literally means “pluck/seize the day”

• While some carpets are made of artificial plastic, such as nylon, others are made of fine wool. This wool can house tiny beetle grubs that eat through the carpets. These insects have certain chemicals in their stomachs that turn wool into sugar, so carpets are a candy to them!

• Your carpets can collect as much as several pounds of dirt and skin flakes per year.

• You can’t use the “five second rule” in case of dropping food on the carpet. That’s because harmful bacteria can live for more than four weeks in a carpet, such as an Oushak handmade rug, and can transfer to food just as it touches it.

• The popular phrase “to sweep under the carpet” was first mentioned in the year 1963.

• To make your Oushak rug, or any other carpet look bright, just sprinkle some salt over it, wait an hour, and vacuum. Salt can even help in getting rid of muddy footprints.

• Getting an area rug, such as an Oushak rug, can be a better option than wall-to-wall carpeting since its easier to clean and are also often not a permanent flooring option.

• You must get your area rugs and carpets cleaned professionally every 12-18 months.

• The first vacuum cleaner was based on Edmund Heming’s street sweeping machine.

• In the early days, people didn’t often agree on buying a vacuum cleaner since they though their carpets can’t be that much dirty.

• The very first vacuum cleaner used back in the early 20th century was quite large. These machines were powered by coal and had to be operated by three individuals, parked outside the building, and had hoses that went in through the windows. Another version of early vacuums used to be installed in the house cellar and was connected to pipes that led to each room.

• Carpet making is an old skill that has been around for since the early times in BC. Various regions traded carpets, such as handmade Oushak rugs, that were handwoven by skilled weavers and sold off at high rates.

• Red carpets often marked the ceremonial routes of leaders, kings, and politicians. The very first reference to a “red carpet” is in the Greek play Agamemnon by Aeschylus.

So, the rug world is quite interesting, right?

Looking for a new mesmerizing area rug to adorn your floor? Search for an Oushak rug online!