Rug Cleaning Cost Calculator
Tell us how the rug was made and how big it is. We will price the cleaning to the square foot, the way our workshop has done it for thirty years. Final price is confirmed after intake — never raised without your approval.
Flip a corner. Hand-knotted rugs show the same pattern on the back as the front. Tufted rugs have a cloth or latex backing. Machine-made rugs have a perfectly uniform mechanical weave.
80 sq ft · $5/sq ft
Tick anything that applies. We confirm and adjust at intake.
Estimating something fragile, antique, or unusual? Skip the calculator and book an appraisal or call (847) 779-3288. We answer during workshop hours, Mon–Fri 8a–6:30p · Sat 9a–3p.
Three rates, set by how the rug was made
Two rugs the same size can take very different amounts of workshop time. A hand-knotted Persian needs cold-water submersion, dye-stability testing, and hand-grooming of the pile. A machine-made polypropylene runner gets a faster, more mechanical process. Pricing follows the labour, not the appraisal value.
- $5 / sq ft
Hand-knotted
Persian, Oriental, antique, hand-knotted wool & wool/silk blends. Fully hand-washed with conservation-grade chemistry. Dye-tested before any water touches the pile.
- $4 / sq ft
Hand-tufted
Wool tufted into a backing. Requires careful handling around the latex / canvas back so the adhesive does not break down. Faster than hand-knotted but still hand-washed.
- $3 / sq ft
Machine-made
Power-loomed wool, polypropylene, polyester, viscose. Tolerates a more efficient wash. Same drying and inspection — same finish quality.
Not sure which one you have? Flip a corner of the rug. If the pattern reads on the back the same way it does on the front, it is hand-knotted. If you see a cloth or latex backing covering the construction, it is hand-tufted. If the back is perfectly uniform with a serged or fringed edge that looks mechanical, it is machine-made. Read more about our cleaning process.
Common questions
How accurate is this estimate?
It is accurate within about 10–20% for typical wool rugs in fair condition. We confirm the final price after a hands-on intake — fibre content, dye stability, and condition all factor in. You only pay after you approve the written estimate.
Why does construction type change the price?
Hand-knotted rugs are washed entirely by hand with conservation-grade chemistry to protect natural dyes and the foundation. Hand-tufted rugs need careful handling around the latex backing. Machine-made rugs tolerate a faster process. The price reflects the labour each method requires — not the value of the rug.
Is silk priced differently?
Yes. Silk and silk-blend rugs require an in-person quote because they are inspected for dye stability and foundation tension before any wash. The calculator covers wool and synthetic pile only.
What does the workshop minimum cover?
Pickup, intake, dye-test, hand-wash, controlled drying, photo record, and delivery. The $95 minimum applies to small pieces — runners, kitchen mats, prayer rugs.
Do you charge for pickup and delivery?
No. Pickup and delivery are free, fully insured, and included in every estimate across Chicago and the North Shore.
When do you charge me?
After the wash is complete and you approve. We never charge upfront. If the inspection reveals an issue that changes the price, we call you before doing any work.
Ready to see your rug
at its best?
Send photos or book a pickup — we respond within two hours during workshop hours.