Red Persian rugs often fade to a pinky-melon-y color, and that's over a lot of time. Don't mess with something beautiful OP.

Personally I wouldn't do it. You said "trend" and it is exactly that. What you described seems to be classic. I would buy a cheap synthetic overdyed rug in keeping with the trend and store the other because believe me you will regret it if you ruin your rug. Perhaps not today, but down the road.

I'm seeing lots of bold over dyed but the dark traditional isn't in demand.

Anyone have tips on fading and overdying? Thank you.

Honestly I'm looking for a red persian rug. I don't think it will ever be out of fashion. Bold colors are coming back into style. Dark reds, navy, dark greens.

The style is not out, the color is. This is why I'd like to keep it but lose the deep red. If I could fade it and overdye it, it would be on trend and worth twice as much. But then I'd just use it myself.

If it's a real Persian rug, it's never out.

Dark red rugs are out and pale are in. I have a dark red, relatively inexpensive 10x 12 that won't resell for much due to the trend. Since it fits the room well and would be expensive to replace, I was told I should take it outside, spray it down with water and leave it to dry in the sun and all the red would fade. Has anyone tried this? And does it only work on vegetable dye rugs? I thought they stopped using vegetable dye in the 70s and this is most likely post 1970.