ABC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

This month's topics are:   

FOLLOW UP TO ONE TREE PLANTED.ORG

ORIENTAL RUGS

                              Shirvan Oriental Rugs

HEALTH CONCERNS

Food Expiration Dates

AREA RUGS

Moisture & Humidity & Your Area Rugs

SPECIAL FOR OCTOBER

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FOLLOW UP TO ONE TREE PLANTED.ORG...

Thank you to all our customers who responded with overwhelming positive feedback to our request for input! As a result, we are so excited to begin supporting the work of this important charitable organization this month. From now on, we will have one tree planted for every invoice produced by our company for our customers.  

OUR CORE OBJECTIVE

As we explained in last month's newsletter, our core corporate objective at ABC is environmental responsibility. We care about helping to create a healthier, environmentally safer, and more sustainable world. We continually strive to provide environmentally safe cleaning care for the items in your home and business. That is why we have partnered with One Tree Planted.

ONE TREE PLANTED.ORG

One Tree Planted uses ecological reforestation to plant trees. The tree planting projects around the world are run by carefully chosen reforestation partners that understand the local environment and can be there to maintain it after the trees are planted.

OUR FIRST PROJECT

Our first project for the last quarter of this year will be planting trees in California. Over 460 thousand acres of forests were destroyed by wildfires in that state last year, killing over 230 million trees.

A WAY TO CONNECT

Because we care so much about sustainability and restoration at ABC, with One Tree Planted, we believe we have found a way to connect our small everyday actions with creating a healthier world. One Tree Planted makes it simple and straightforward for individuals and corporations to take part in sustainability issues. We are proud to be a part of their reforestation efforts around the world.

MORE INFO?

For more information, please see One Tree Planted on our website. You can browse their  website at One Tree Planted.org.   

 SHIRVAN ORIENTAL RUGS

LOCATION

Shirvan rugs were and are produced in the Shirvan region of modern-day Azerbaijan, a country at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is just south of the Caucasus mountain range, east of Gendje, and west of the Baku peninsula. Baku is the capital. Azerbaijan became an independent state in 1991 after gaining sovereignty from Russia.  

The population of Shirvan is primarily Azeri Turks but there was at one time a large population of Armenians as well. The best known of the Southern Caucasian rugs are the Kazak, Karabagh, Gendje, Moghan, Talish, and Shirvan. The Northern Caucasian rugs include the Kuba and the Derbend.

ANTIQUE SHIRVAN RUGS 

Antique Shirvan  rugs and runners are some of the most collectable antique oriental rugs. The striking balance and symmetry of these rugs was accomplished by using simple geometric ornamentation (such as twin medallions) on a background of deep indigo blue. Strong colors, subtle details, and powerful symbols distinguish the antique Shirvans from the other rugs in the area.

These rugs were produced until around the beginning of the 20^th century. The opening of the Trans-Caucasian railway in the 1870s, exposed the area to European dealers who demanded massive amounts of rugs for transport to the west.  

Shirvan rugs, as well as another Caucasian rug in the North of the Shirvan area, the Kuba, began to lose the simplicity of their designs due to the European influence. They became increasingly more intricate with finer weaves and knots.

The Kuba oriental rugs and Shirvan rugs were close in design and colors but the Shirvans had a larger weave and were more supple. Additionally, the Shirvan rugs tended to use more medallion designs, the Kubas more allover patterns. Both of these rugs are distinguishable from other South Caucasian rugs such as the Kazaks, which have a bolder, more graphic quality of designs.

The continuing demand for rugs eventually led to the establishment of  carpet workshops and commercial dyes began to be used. In addition, the designs were simplified and became symmetrical. The individual charm of the antique Shirvan  rugs was all but lost.

CONSTRUCTION OF

SHIRVAN ORIENTAL RUGS 

Shirvan rugs are generally short pile rugs with a flat or nearly flat back.

FOUNDATION 

The warps (up and down foundation cords) are flat or mildly depressed and usually consist of several strands of undyed wool of different shades. (Depressed warps occur when the wefts are pulled tightly from either side rather than put in with minimal tension. This will displace the warps into 2 levels).

Occasionally, the warps will be cotton or a wool/cotton combination. The wefts (side to side cords) will consist of 2 or more cords of natural or dyed wool or cotton.

KNOT

The Turkish or symmetrical knot is used in the weaving of the Shirvan rugs.

PILE

The pile is wool.

PILE

The sides can be varied with 2 or more cords overcast in wool or a single weft cord wrapped in cotton or overcast in blue wool.

ENDS

The ends can vary with a looped fringe at one end (usually upper) and knotted at the other end. The ends can also be found as multiple rows of knotted fringe. Warps can be braided and turned under into a band or even a narrow kilim (flat woven area) with fringe.

The lower end can contain loops which are often woven into a band. A narrow double-corded edging in white cotton (sometimes blue) is typical of late 19^th and early 20^th century, although wool can be found in very old examples. The selvage will typically be the same material and color as the wefts (side to side cords).

DESIGN OF

SHIRVAN ORIENTAL RUGS

To learn more about Shirvan oriental rugs complete with photos, please continue reading here.

FOOD EXPIRATION DATES   

If any of your food has reached or gone past the recommended food expiration dates, what should you do? Does it mean the food is bad and should be discarded? 

Actually, different expired foods can present different risks. For example, the expiration dates on eggs may mean you can actually continue to use them for a few more days before throwing them away. However, using chicken a few days past the expiration date may be dangerous. On the other hand, eating past the food expiration dates on canned goods or cereal packages would probably still be safe.

FOOD EXPIRATION DATES LABELS 

It is important for consumers to understand the dates found on most foods (with the exception of baby food and formula) are not meant to indicate safety, but quality.

Even though most food is safe to consume after the food expiration dates, it is, of course, always prudent to personally evaluate the quality of any food prior to cooking or eating. Most spoiled foods will develop an off odor and the texture may significantly change.

Generally speaking, if you have properly handled and stored food at home, it should be safe even if the food expiration dates have passed. The rules for how long to keep certain foods as listed below apply to store bought food, not home made items. Always have labels and markers ready to note when an item was purchased if there is no expiration date available or if it was made at home.

Rotation of food in the refrigerator and freezer according to the marked dates, as well as the use of the information below to understand how long certain foods can be kept before spoiling, can also greatly help to eliminate food waste, saving both time and money.

COMMONLY USED LABELS FOR

FOOD EXPIRATION DATES

The commonly used labels for food expiration dates are not required by law on all products. Again, they do not indicate safety, but quality. Some are used for consumers and others for distributors and retail stores only:

• Best if Used By/Before - This label simply indicates when a product will be at optimum flavor or quality. If the date has passed and the food is not showing signs of spoilage, it should be fine to use and it may be sold, purchased, donated, and consumed. This is the label recommended by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service to manufacturers and retailers of foods because it best conveys to consumers to use the product by the date shown to be assured it will be of best quality.
• Sell-By - This label is meant for inventory management only in retail locations where the product is sold and is not a safety date.
• Use-By - This label contains the last date recommended for the use of the product at optimal quality. It is not a safety date (except when used on infant formula or baby food and is the same as the Best if Used By/Before label above).

HOW ARE QUALITY FOOD EXPIRATION DATES DETERMINED? 

Quality food expiration dates are determined by a combination of the following factors:

• The length of time food is held during distribution and sale.
• The temperature at which a food is held during distribution and sale.
• The characteristics of the food.
• The type of packaging.

FOOD EXPIRATION DATES ON CANNED GOODS

Canned goods are required to display a code or the date of canning. They may also display a calendar date which is usually a Best If Used By date for optimal quality. 

Regardless of the date found on cans, always discard any cans that are dented, rusted, or swollen. Small dents may be okay. Inspect carefully dents in seams. 

High-acid canned foods such as tomatoes and fruits can be stored with their quality intact between 12 to 18 months. Low-acid canned foods, such as meats and vegetables can keep their quality for 2 to 5 years. 

DATES ON EGG CARTONS

Although the use of a Sell-By or Expiration Date is not a federal regulation, different states may have egg laws requiring them. Some states actually do not allow the use of a Sell-By Date on egg cartons.

Egg cartons with the USDA Grade Shield on them must display the day the eggs were washed, graded, and placed in the carton. This is the pack date and consists of a three-digit code representing each consecutive day of the year starting with January 1st as 001 and ending with December 31st as 365. Should a Sell-By Date appear on any carton with the USDA grade shield, the code date may not exceed 30 days from the pack date. 

Always store eggs in their original carton in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not on the door. 

FOODS YOU MUST NEVER EAT PAST THE EXPIRATION DATE

Please continue reading here for these foods as well as a full list of foods you can eat past the expiration date and an answer as to why there is so much confusion...

MOISTURE & HUMIDITY &

YOUR AREA RUGS

Moisture and humidity can wreak havoc with your area rugs.This is especially evident during hot summer months with heavy periods of rain. You may notice odd smells in your house. You may begin to suspect mold or mildew. That pungent odor may be coming from the urine problem you thought was gone. When any of this occurs, it may be time to check your area rugs for moisture damage.

Get up close to the fibers and take a whiff. Check the backs of the rugs as well. If you notice any suspicious odors, it is time to get help.

For some rugs, it may be difficult to determine if there is moisture present because rug fibers such as wool can absorb up to 30% of their weight in water and not even feel wet!  

If you know there has been moisture and high humidity in your home and you have begun to notice any suspicious odors, play it safe and schedule a pick up or bring in your rugs as soon as you are able. 

MOISTURE & HUMIDITY

CAN CAUSE A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS

A buildup of moisture and humidity in any rug, even a synthetic one, can cause a multitude of problems, not the least of which is mold or mildew.

Besides exacerbating odors, fungal growth (such as mold and mildew) can permanently stain textile fibers. Bacterial growth from excess moisture and humidity can quickly reactivate urine odors and stains as well

TREATMENT FOR ODORS

FROM MOISTURE-LADEN RUGS 

The treatment we use in our ABC cleaning plant for odors caused by moisture and humidity includes the process of sanitization followed by a thorough cleaning and drying. This process will remove bacteria from the pile of the rug and produce a residual effect that will continue to destroy bacteria for up to 6 months.

SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR URINE ODORS

One of the main causes of offensive urine odors is the ammonia gas which is released by decaying urine. (Fresh urine typically has little odor). Natural bacteria will attack the urine as it breaks down and will digest the urea and other chemicals it contains. The end result of the digestion is phosphate salts (microscopic urine crystals) which attach themselves to fibers and cannot be removed by cleaning alone.

Moisture and humidity, whether from climate related sources or episodes of urine deposited from a warm animal's body, release the urine from the salts and the process starts again.

A sanitization treatment will merely slow down the process. A special, labor-intensive soaking process is needed to permanently remove the urine salts and the odor. This is the urine-decontamination process we use in our ABC cleaning plant.

URINE STAINS    

To learn about urine stains as well as more information about wet as well as flooded area rugs, please continue reading here.

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