Karastan Rugs

Karastan Rugs are a symbol of quality floor coverings.   The company has been in business since 1928.  Having a business that long gives them the advantage of experience.   In 1928, textile manufacturer Marshall Field built a loom able to show the craftsmanship of a hand-woven rug.  This became popular, because hand-woven rugs took so long to make.  The area rugs were among the first oriental rug reproductions made in the US.  Persian and oriental designs were in great demand in these early years.   The company got its big boost when they created a huge version of the Kirman pattern to be used in the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.  The rug was put on the floor to be walked on by millions of people visiting the fair.  After all of the footprints and stains, half of the rug was cleaned.  People could see how easily the rug cleaned and how it held up under all of that stress.  The rug still exists today, half clean and half dirty.

Just to make sure it was true, more rugs were set up at the New York World's Fair in 1939.  Nine million people walked on these rugs, and had the same results after cleaning, as in Chicago.  The rugs became known as 'The Wonder Rugs of America.'

Experimenting has been a part of the Karastan Rugs image right from the start. New styles and designs are always being created. Right now, there are eight colors available; black/grey, blue, beige/brown, green, purple, red, white/ivory and yellow/gold. The shapes come in rectangulars, rounds and runners. Styles come in animal prints, casual, checks, plaids, stripes, contemporary, florals and traditional. There are sixteen different collections that these colors and styles come in.

The Karastan Rugs uses worsted wool for their rugs. There are many people sensitive to wool due to allergies and asthma. Because of this, they use New Zealand wool. The fibers are too long and coarse to be inhaled. The wool is non-allergenic. The indoor air is pure due to the wool because it absorbs pollutants faster than nylon. It is easier to clean, crush resistant and flame retardant. A very common problem with rugs is the build-up of static electricity. The Karastan wools do not have the static build-up. These wools also insulate sound and heat.

The KaraStep Cushion is in the rug and gives that soft feeling as you walk on it. Their Down Under padding keeps the rug in place. There are three layers of protection in every rug pad. This padding is also non-allergenic, it lengthens wearability, and also offers insulation. Just as the Karastan wools, it also resists the growth of bacteria.

With the world becoming more aware of ecology and the environment, Karastan is also responsible about their products. They use every effort to preserve natural resources and are constantly using research to find new ways to preserve the environment.

Once a Karastan Rug is in the home, you want to be able to care for it properly to get years of enjoyment. There are customers who have bought a rug back in 1928 that say their rug is even more beautiful than it was when new.

One simple way to preserve your rug, is to rotate it now and then. This keeps the traffic and sun patterns from fading all in the same place. Vacuum a new rug two or three time a week. After a while, just vacuum it on a regular basis. When a good cleaning is necessary, use a professional. Do not try to clean it at home. However, for spills, use lukewarm water immediately to prevent stains. Never use hot water. If the water doesn't work, use a solvent. Be sure to test it on a small portion before using more of it. Karastan makes a WoolClean Natural to use on the rugs. It is a special low PH balance cleaner. It is also natural, and hypo-allergenic. Whatever type of cleaner you use, do not walk on the wet area until it is dry. Use a hair dryer to dry it faster.

Taking care of the rug also has another benefit. Antique Karastan rugs can be worth a fortune, and a good oriental rug could sell for thousands of dollars. So, they are also a good investment.

These rugs have even been used on television shows; The Apprentice, Extreme Makeover, Made in America and HGTV.

The rugs can be purchased from many dealers across the country. Being such a quality product, dealers want to have these rugs because they know they will sell, and the customer won't be back with complaints. Sometimes there is a good sale and Karastan rugs can be purchased for a much lower price.

Even with a high-quality product, it is always safe to purchase a warranty. There are choices of warranties available for the rugs and the cushions. They range from ten years, to a lifetime.

Karastan Rugs will be satisfying customers for a long time. For some additional information on choosing the perfect rug for your space check out a site called the Rug Blog.