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The art of weaving Navajo rugs is a labor intensive and time consuming process, which may include raising sheep for wool, shearing, cleaning, dyeing and carding the fibers for yarn, spining the wool, setting up the loom as well as the actual weaving process.
Prices of from $70 to $100 per square foot are considered average for these increasingly scarse art works, which still pays about half of minimum wage. As a result, these cultural works of art become investment pieces requiring skillful display methods and care to preserve their unique beauty.
Generally these rugs are mounted as wall displays rather than used underfoot. To avoid loosening the yarns and damaging your fine investments, it is always best to mount them using velcro backing. You can attach both a top and bottom strip of 1" wide velcro directly to your walls, and the mates to the top and bottom margins of your rugs. The disadvantages here are some marring of your wall surfaces, usually drywall, which would require touch-up painting if you chose to move the display at a later date.
Another way to display your investment would be to cut cedar 1" by 8' strips into lengths slightly shorter than the dimensions of your rug. These can be mounted with small finish nails and the velcro stips adhered to wood rather than wallboard. Since moths are a major problem with fine wool rugs, your cedar strips will faintly scent the air while moth proofing your rugs.
A third way to mount your priceless investment would be through the use of conventional quilt mounting strips. These come in a variety of wood finishes such as cherry and oak, and are available in quilt making and craft shops nationwide. The only disadvantage is that the sizes available are limited, and may not be suitable for vertically hung designs in non-conventional sizes.
Avoid placement of rugs in areas of direct sunlight. Ultra violet light will both weaken the fibers and provide untimely fading of your collection's vegetal and aniline dyes. Occasionally turn your Navajo weavings to decrease the likelihood of fading.
If using your artwork underfoot, the use of a protective underpad is highly recommended. These will help cushion your step, as well as decrease the amount of wear coming from the slipping and sliding abrasion of textile yarns against floor surfaces. Be sure and occasionally turn floor rugs and avoid placement of heavy furnishings upon them.
If properly displayed, your investments should require an occasional gentle shaking versus an expensive cleaning process. It is never recommended to clean these rugs in your own home, nor beat them, and the same holds true for minor repairs such as reweaving.
Moths, like ultra violet light, are major pests that are attracted to anything wool, your Navajo rugs included. They are attracted to the natural lanolin oils in your textile fibers. A light spraying with a cedar oil product adds important protection, a pleasant aroma and none of the disadvantages of mothball odor or mess. Be sure your priceless Navajo tapestries are treated both front and back.
Moth damage, and weakening of yarn fibers through improper hanging, ultra violet light or foot traffic are the chief causes of noticable damage requiring professional repair. Matching of subtle colors and lot dyes, especially for the older rug, requires painstaking expertise. Some dyes, such as earth toned vegetal shades, are more prone to sun fading than coal tar derived aniline varieties.
Other damage can occur through improper storage practices. Never fold your rug flat, as this will weaken the fibers and eventually cause holes or sagging. Consider rolling each rug around an inexpensive foam core or pillow, to reduce tension. Air any rugs that are stored more than six months and reverse them on re-rolling for continued safe storage in an area of low humidity.
Consult professionals, either via the Yellow Pages or contacting large retailers such as Garland's Rugs in Sedona, Arizona, who can ship and repair rugs or advise you of possible sources in your own area.
By carefully cleaning, moth treating, displaying and storing your investment, your Navajo rug should be a thing of beauty for many years to come.
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