The effects of rug washing is a subject addressed in a few places on warrug.com as well as in the soon to arrive Warrug, the Book. Here is an example of the local antique wash from Heriz, Iran. The rug on the right is washed normally, the colors are good, the wool is soft and the wool has nice luster. The larger rug on the left has been antique washed to artificially soften the colors. As a result the wool is dry and somewhat brittle.