Auserehlian School of Oriental Rug Cleaning. With this school alone our company has accumulated over thirty days instruction (270 hours) on the identifying, qualifying, (inspection) care and cleaning of Oriental, Navajo and other designer area rugs.

George in classroom setting at Auserehl Rug Cleaning School	George P. Gibson with Phil Auserehl and Ron Toney recieving his diploma for Oriental Rug Cleaning Specialist.

Trade associations we are members of include:
ASCR (Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration)
The NIRC (National Institute of Rug Cleaning) The NIRC is the only association in the United States for rug cleaning. We are proud to adhere closely to the code of ethics of these organizations. They are powerful associations that tap us into up to date information on procedures and care of hand made rugs. Additional educational opportunities: tours to weaving areas here and abroad, other rug washing plants as well as technical information pertinent to the craft.

Currently, George is enrolled in the “Rug Secrets” program. The screening of applicants for this course meant that we were chosen from about 1 in 4 applicants. Its developments come via K. Blatchford’s Oriental Rug Cleaning & Restoration Company. This old San Diego family based company is without question, premier in rug washing and restoration. Lisa Wagner, one of the decades down descendents of the founding fathers (and mothers), is to be credited for the program. Her love and appreciation for rugs, and the industry that is responsible for their care, moved her to share her company’s knowledge. This is of importance to you. First, this means little guys like me have access to essential knowledge that is for by all practical means, very difficult to gain without generations of experience. Secondly, your rug in our care will have hundreds of years experience behind it to give you and it the highest degree in professional care.

The features of the school are twelve (12) months of intensive in depth instruction on every aspect of care of Oriental, Navajo and other woven pieces. Some highlights are: correct washing and handling of problem rugs, color restorations, repairs of a minor nature, to technical extensive reweaving, correct rolling (there is a wrong way) for short or long term storage of wool, cotton, silk or art silk rugs.

George with Lisa Wagner.

Now and in the future how do you benefit? On completing the “Rug Secrets” program continuing membership will provide us with alerts to new developments and problems. A current example is the recent practice, by certain weaving groups, known as stenciling or “cartooning.” The design of the rug is drawn on the warp yarns with a dye pen, rather than the correct use of a scale paper drawing. Without prior knowledge of this potential problem, permanent damage would result in the ensuing cleaning of such a rug.

As to Oriental rugs my former business has been a great aid. Particularly, in understanding the chemical action between different cleaning agents and the variety of soils on textiles. In its twenty sixth year on January, 2003 we sold Cleaner Carpets by George, a local in home carpet and upholstery cleaning business. At that time we were recommended by every carpet store in our area. I was active in two carpet associations. The Denver based Professional Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners Association and the national Society of Cleaning Technicians. I regularly attended many, many conventions and schools sponsored by these groups. Our company became an IICRC (Institution of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration) certified firm. In 1996, while in that business, Perry Mann and I, (a long time carpet cleaner in Montrose, Colorado) set up a facility and became educated in the art (yes, art!) of caring for Oriental rugs.