Advice | How to clean an area rug

My neighbor is moving and gave me her 8-by-12-foot Persian rug. She says it needs to be cleaned. I found out it might cost $500 or more to have it professionally cleaned, and I might not even like the rug. Is there a way I can clean it myself?

An Oriental rug — a broad category that includes Persian rugs as well as other hand-knotted kinds made in Asia — usually can be cleaned at home, with some important caveats. If you think the rug might be valuable, get a professional evaluation first. Many Oriental rug stores will do this at no cost.