Hand-Wash Cleaning

At Mavyan & Westlake we offer a wide range of washing and cleaning techniques. We specialize in traditional hand-washing methods and utilize our own special shampoo formulas which contain no harsh chemicals.
Before we start cleaning we gently remove dust particles from the carpet. We then soak the carpet in clean water, which allows shampoo to penetrate deeply into the pile. After careful hand brushing, we rinse the carpet thoroughly with more clean water to remove all shampoo. We then use vacuum extractors to remove most of the moisture from the carpet. After the carpet has been hung to dry, we re-wash the fringes and dry some more. If required, additional stain work is carried out at this point.
All cleaning and repairs are performed by master repairer Ara Mavyan. Ara began his career in his native Turkey buying and selling carpets as well as cleaning and repairing them.

We offer treatments to rectify the following problems:

• Odours (eliminates unwanted smells).
• Moths (including eggs).
• Mildew (which leads to rotting).
• Flexibility (stiffness/cracking due to dry rot).
• Smoke (removes smell and discolouration).

With over 20 years experience, Ara draws on his Istanbul training to provide the highest level of work available. Invisible repairs to all types of handmade rugs are possible. He has an extensive inventory of wools and other materials, imported from all rug weaving areas. Careful dyeing with vegetable and synthetic dyestuffs allow for accurate matching of damaged areas. Ara’s experience as a master craftsman is unmatched and it shows in the quality of his repairs and restorations.

A few of the more common repairs we do are:

End Stop

This procedure stabilizes the fringe ends of the carpet to ensure no losses to the pile. Several methods achieve this end including:

• Chain stitch or Soumak technique
• Double knot technique
• Blanket stitch
• Reinforced end stop

Fringing

Hand fringing - this technique most accurately reproduces the original by hand-inserting individual threads into the carpet ends.
End stop fringing - This method attaches fringe threads to a double knot end stop.
Machine fringing - Pre-made fringes are sewn onto the carpet ends.

Binding

Hand overcast binding - available in several techniques to match the existing binding.
Machine serging - a less expensive overcasting alternative to the above.
Machine binding - cloth strips are sewn over edges -- Most economical.
Machine reinforced binding - for commercial carpets.

Repiling

We do original technique repiling and reweaving in Turkish and Persian knotting. Invisible repairs of holes large and small are possible. We can reproduce the original design in specially dyed wools, cottons and silks.

Patching

We have a large selection of carpet fragments from which to choose suitable pieces for large, inexpensive hole repair.

Dyeing

We can inexpensively mask worn areas by “painting” the design back onto the worn area. We use quality fabric dyes that will not wash off or fade.

Premium quality underlay:

• Durahold Plus - for hardwood floors including those with radiant floor heating.
• No Muv - for carpeted floors.

Regular quality underlay:

• Sultan - for hardwood floors.
• Magic Stop - for carpeted floors.

Additional Services

Here are some of the additional services we offer:

• Sleeve for hanging - cotton sleeve sewn on the back of the rug to accept a hanging rod.
• Sleeve for fringes - cotton sleeve sewn onto the back of the rug to cover fringes
• Rubber siding - rubber strips sewn onto the back of the rug to keep it straight and flat.