Why Clean? (When it’s the right move)

Dull color & flat pile

Reveal the original palette.

Color, Lift, Luster

Dry soils mask color and crush pile. Our hand wash removes micro-grit, restores wool’s natural sheen, and lifts the nap so the design reads crisp and alive again.

Pet odor & accidents

Treat the source, not the surface.

Foundation-Level Deodorization

Topical sprays can’t reach the foundation. We use controlled decontamination soaks and thorough rinsing to neutralize odor where it begins—without harsh perfumes.

Allergies & hygiene

Better air quality at home

Deep Soil Removal

Rugs trap dust, dander, and pollen. Scheduled cleaning removes embedded particulates and residues, improving indoor comfort while protecting fibers from abrasive wear.

Spills & stains

Calm the field, lie flat.

Clean + Block

Over-wet or humid rugs can distort. A conservation wash followed by blocking restores geometry and reduces trip edges—no tapes or glues required.

Protect your investment

Maintenance preserves life.

Care That Pays You Back

Regular cleaning (12–24 months; 6–12 with pets/traffic) removes abrasive grit and preserves dyes, structure, and value—especially on heirlooms and fine contemporary pieces.

Ready to see your rug at its best again?

We’ll hand wash, rinse clear, dry flat, and—when helpful—block for a calm, true finish. In-house, insured, and documented.

What We Clean (Materials, constructions & special cases)

Red wine/coffee/food

targeted stain work, pH-balanced, dye-safe

Pet urine & odor

foundation-level deodorization soaks + full rinsing

Color bleed correction

stabilize + correct where feasible

Results & Limitations

What cleaning can (and can’t) do

Expect: brighter color, softer hand, lifted pile, cleaner fringe, calmer lay after optional blocking.
Limits: oxidized stains, dye loss, severe pet burn, and UV fade may not fully reverse. We’ll show “good/better/best” paths and never over-promise.

Materials & Constructions

Hand-knotted wool & wool-silk (Persian, Oriental, Tribal, City weaves)

Individual hand wash with dye testing, gentle agitation, and flat, controlled drying.
We groom pile direction and, if needed, light blocking restores calm borders and corners.

Silk & blends (cool, dye-stable conditions)
Silk-safe pH, cool temperatures, and minimal mechanical action. We often use support netting
during rinse and dry flat away from direct heat/light to preserve sheen and hand.

Flatweaves / Kilims (excellent results; crisp lay after blocking)
Dry soil removal is key; colors are pre-tested. Post-wash, we re-tension/block to correct edge
curl and weft shift so the rug lies flat and square.

Moroccan / Tibetan & contemporary designer rugs
Higher pile or blended fibers get low-stress grooming to lift nap without fuzzing.
We protect lanolin in good wools and avoid heat that can distort texture.

Many machine-made (case-by-case; avoid over-wet hot extraction)
We evaluate fiber/backing pairs (polypropylene, nylon, viscose/rayon, jute).
No hot wand/steam methods. If latex/jute backings are weak, we’ll discuss limits or backing work.

Special Situations

Pet urine & odor — Foundation-level deodorization soaks with full rinsing; topical sprays alone won’t work. Heavy cases may need multiple cycles; we’ll advise if prior damage (dye loss) exists.

Red wine / coffee / food — Targeted, pH-balanced stain work after dye testing. At home: blot with water only (no scrubbing, no vinegar/oxy) and contact us quickly to avoid setting.

Color bleed correction — We first stabilize fugitive areas, then perform controlled correction and toning where feasible. Some severe transfers won’t fully reverse; we’ll show best options.

Tufted latex odor / delamination — Cleaning reduces surface odor, but oxidized or crumbling latex may keep off-gassing. We’ll discuss re-latex/backing replacement when appropriate.

Post-flood care — Priority intake within 24–48 hours. We triage for dye stability, perform controlled wash and flat dry-down, and document for insurance when needed.

Our Process

Inspection & Dye Test

We examine fiber, weave, stains, and prior repairs, then spot-test dyes so every next step is safe and predictable.

Rug Dusting (Dry Soil Removal)

Face down on the dusting deck, a specialized beater gently releases embedded grit. This protects fibers and makes washing far more effective.

Vacuuming (Both Sides)

We vacuum the back and face to lift remaining particulates—less abrasion, cleaner rinse, better color.

Gentle Pre-Rinse

A light, even water pass floats surface soils without forcing moisture deep into the foundation.

Back Shampooing (Targeted)

We clean the backside first with a pH-appropriate solution, repeating as needed based on soil load—never more than the rug requires.

Flip & Controlled Extraction

We turn the rug and pull away the soiled solution so fresh chemistry can work efficiently on the face.

Face Shampooing (Cycled Wash/Rinse)

Multiple light passes with rinse-extract cycles remove soils while protecting pile, texture, and dyes. We adjust technique for wool, silk, flatweaves, and blends.

High-Speed Moisture Extraction

A centrifugal system removes the bulk of free water quickly to discourage odor, dye migration, and over-wet distortions.

Pile Grooming (Set the Nap)

While the rug is still relaxed, we align pile direction and refine the surface so the design reads crisp and the hand feels soft.

Air drying

Laid flat or gently hung, the rug dries in a room-temperature environment with monitored airflow—no harsh heat that can stress fibers or colors.

Blocking & Re-Tensioning (As Needed)

If waves or corner skew are present, we re-tension on a blocking table to restore calm geometry and a confident lay-flat finish.

Shearing (As Needed)

On thicker piles, we trim stray fuzz to refine the face and bring back the original, tailored appearance.

Fringe Detailing

We cleanse, straighten, and neatly trim the fringe tips for a clean, dignified frame.

Final Vacuum & Quality Inspection

A last pass lifts any remaining micro-dust. We perform a meticulous inspection so your rug returns clean, balanced, and camera-ready.

Rug Cleaning — Hand Washed & Gentle Care | Ahmadi Rug Chicago