Help/FAQs

Is this the first time you’ve purchased a handmade rug? Do you have a question about your online order? Are you a trade partner with a question on specifying Tufenkian on your next project? Browse our list of Frequently Asked Questions, categorized by topic: Rugs, Orders, Shipping, Returns, To-the-Trade, and General Questions for help navigating the world of Tufenkian.

Rug Related

Why do Tibetan carpets have such a distinctive and elegant look?

The distinctive look of a Tufenkian carpet is attributable to the use of materials of exceptional quality, and the extraordinary level of traditional handwork involved in all stages of production. For our Tibetan and Designers’ Reserve rugs, we use the finest Tibetan wool, carried by yak over the Himalayas to our facilities in Nepal. Our Armenian rugs are crafted from the wool of Caucasian Mountain sheep. To preserve its character as well as the precious lanolin it contains, these wool fibers are never bleached or scoured. After being washed with only pure water, the wool is then carded, spun, dyed, and knotted exclusively by hand. The result is a rich texture, a subtle stripe of color, and an innovative design, the hallmarks of Tufenkian carpets

Which Tufenkian rugs are produced in Nepal and why?

Each of our Tibetan rugs is made with the same high quality Tibetan Highland virgin wool that is then hand-carded, hand-spun and hand-knotted in Nepal. Our process does not compromise the wool by using bleach, as is the practice elsewhere. The inherent lanolin oil content is retained in our Tibetan rugs and acts as a natural soil and stain inhibitor.

Rug Care & Cleaning

What’s the best way to maintain my Tufenkian rug?

To maintain the beauty of Tufenkian Carpets handmade area rugs, we recommend the following: Vacuum frequently with a device that has an adjustable beater bar/brush, set to the highest setting. If spills occur, blot the liquid as soon as possible. The idea is to lift the soil or liquid, not push it into the pile of the area rug. When there is a noticeable spot or residue, apply a modest amount of carbonated water and blot the liquid. If a spot remains, use small amount of mild liquid soap; apply a modest amount of carbonated water and blot with a lifting motion. Repeat if needed. If a spot still remains, contact your local certified hand-made carpet cleaning and repair company. A note on bamboo silk: it is best to use a professional. However, in times when a quick response is needed, gently blot (do not scrub) the soiled area using a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb liquids from spills. Air dry; heat drying should be avoided.

Does wool clean and wear well?

There is a unique hardiness to Tibetan wool due to the extreme altitude and climate of the Tibetan plateau where the sheep graze. Their wool is long in staple and contains an unusually high amount of lanolin, a natural stain and soil repellant. The wool is inherently strong, elastic, and resilient, all of which contribute to its longevity. Our Armenian production starts with the wool of Caucasian Mountain sheep; use of this wool dates back to some of the finest antique Oushak carpets available today.

Can I spot clean my Tufenkian rug?

We are happy to provide you some tips to spot clean your handmade rug. However, due to the uniqueness of our rugs and carpets, and the degree of expertise with which these spotting instructions may be used, Tufenkian assumes no responsibility related to the use of this information. All responsibility rests with the user. Blot, never scrub, spots on a rug as scrubbing can damage the carpet’s nap. Test all spotting products in an inconspicuous area first and look for color change. If the color bleeds or you are unsure how to proceed, consult a professional. Remove as much of the spill as possible before adding spotting products. Work from the outer edges of a spot to the center. Never saturate a spotting area with a liquid. Only spot with small amounts of cleaning products. Drying small areas can be accomplished with a hair dryer with the heat setting off.

Designer FAQs

How do I choose the right sized rug?

When shopping for the perfect rug for your space, rug size and placement should be the initial contributing factors in your purchasing decision. While there are no set rules, there are certain guidelines and design aesthetics to consider during the shopping process.

Do you have any design tips for choosing a rug?

The American Society of Interior Designers recommends the following to help you choose the right rug for your space. When decorating your home, think of your floors as the foundation for your design.There's an endless array of rug designs to choose from, so visualize the desired goal for the room. Do you want a room that's uncluttered and monotone, or a room rich with eclectic colors or textures? If you start with a totally empty room, choose a rug, then paint or paper the walls in colors found in the rug.

General FAQs

If a Tufenkian carpet tag states "100% hand spun Tibetan wool," does that mean the carpet is made in Tibet, or could the carpet be woven elsewhere?

Every rug we weave from Tibetan wool is produced in Nepal, and this accounts for about 80% of our current production. In addition, these rugs are crafted with a very specialized knotting technique called the Tibetan Loop Senneh knot, which also differentiates them from rugs produced in Turkey or other regions across the world. We also produce rugs in Armenia, where we use wool from Caucasus Mountain sheep and employ the traditional Persian Senneh knot.

Do your rugs come in other sizes or colors?

Most Tufenkian carpets come in a variety of sizes and colors. Keep in mind that the designs are constantly evolving; new designs and colorways are introduced a minimum of twice per year. Rugs currently in production, and available in a wide range of stocked sizes, can be found in our Design Catalog. Although these rugs cannot be purchased online, they are available through Tufenkian-owned showrooms and our international dealer network. Click here to find the location nearest you. Our Closeout Sale and Vault rugs are available first-come, first-served, and most available inventory is posted. However, we do have sizes, colorways, and designs that aren’t yet published to our site. For help in purchasing Closeout Sale rugs and pieces from James’ Vault, please Contact our Customer Service team.

What is the history of rug making in Armenia?

No one really knows for sure, but there is considerable evidence to indicate that the art originated in Armenia. It is clear, in any case, that until about four hundred years ago, Armenian carpet weaving was preeminent in the world, and was generally recognized as being so. There is evidence that carpet weaving in ancient Armenia was already a well developed art five centuries before the birth of Christ. The oldest carpet discovered is called the Pazyryk Carpet after the royal burial tomb in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia where it was unearthed in 1949. The carpet is finely knotted, even by modern standards. European scholars have argued convincingly that its origin was in pre-Armenian Urartu based on its design elements and depictions of Hittite dress and horse ornaments, as well as an analysis of the red dyes used in the carpet originating in that Ararat plain and recognized for thousands of years as an exclusive product of the region.

What materials do you use in your rugs?

Every rug produced by Tufenkian uses the finest materials available. The majority of our designs are made wholly or partially of wool from the Himalayas or Caucasus mountains, but you’ll also find blends of delicate silk, bamboo silk, hemp, and linen.

Why are your rugs so expensive? Am I getting good value?

There are “handmade” carpets with finer knotting available at a lower cost. They tend to be machine-made (except for the knotting process), and they utilize common New Zealand wool. These rugs are not all that different from completely machine-made carpets, which are even less expensive. At Tufenkian, we refuse to cut corners; only rare and wonderful Tibetan and Armenian wool is used, and the yarn is spun, carded, and dyed entirely by hand. This process is costly, but Tufenkian is committed to providing our customers with an exceptional product. Additionally, Tufenkian is dedicated to addressing the social, economic, and environmental concerns of the communities in which our facilities are located. Tufenkian houses, feeds, educates, and provides medical care for thousands of weavers in Nepal. We keep their water clean and further safeguard Nepal’s fragile ecosystem against chemical by-products by washing most of our carpets in European facilities, which feature environmentally sound finishing processes. In Armenia, the Tufenkian Foundation funds an orphanage and senior citizen housing. To learn more about the Tufenkian Foundation, visit www.tufenkianfoundation.org

 

What is the Tufenkian Custom Rug Program?

Tufenkian’s Custom Program gives you the freedom and flexibility to design the perfect handmade carpet with a process that is fast, simple, and limited only by your imagination. With access to the same tools used to create Tufenkian’s celebrated Tibetan and Armenian rugs, you’ll benefit from more than thirty years of experience helping clients realize the perfect custom area rugs, runners, and wall-to-wall installations. Our international reputation for exquisite design, craftsmanship, and customer service will exceed your expectation.