Wool fabric will catch fire and burn steadily though it is somewhat difficult to keep burning.
How to tell if rug is wool.
Rug quality is based on a few factors.
Take note of how the yarn burns and what it smells like.
Does it feel soft almost buttery.
If the yarn smells like burning hair it is wool.
If so then it is most likely a wool rug.
Fine wool is vegetable dyed with fruits roots and plants.
However if it feels hard scratchy and stiff it s most likely made from a synthetic material.
Another area where wool stands head and shoulders above competing materials is in the feel of the rug.
Few if any hand knotted rugs have a rug tag on the back and almost all machine made rugs will have tags similar to the one below.
If a rugs pile is made from polyester olefin nylon polypropylene or any other synthetic fiber then the rug is a machine made rug.
To truly determine the quality of a rug you must feel it.
The quality of a wool fiber depends largely on the type of dye used.
Well made rugs lay flat and evenly on the floor s surface without curling edges or uneven sides.
Identify a true silk rug by rubbing the palm of your hand over the surface for several seconds.
Use a pair of tweezers to hold the yarn above the flame until it burns.
Manufactured silk doesn t warm to the hand.
Cheaply made rugs also appear washed out or unnaturally shiny or bright.
Touch the front of it.
Sam presnell owner of the rug gallery offers a variety of tips for rug buyers to learn before making a big purchase.
Listen or read more to find out how to tell what rug quality.
A rug should always be tested for colorfastness by taking a damp white cloth and gently rubbing it into the fiber.
Hold the fabric over the bowl and touch it with the lit match.
When burnt wool fabric will smell like burning hair.
Signs to identify fake oriental rugs 1 your rug has a hard plastic back real oriental rugs hand knotted oriental rug will always feature a soft backing whose pattern matches the top pile like a mirror image if the back is not a mirror image of the front the rug is not an authentic hand knotted oriental rug.