What to expect when your rug comes to our workshop
Handing over a valuable or inherited rug is a matter of trust. This page sets out how scheduling works, what we need to know before we arrive, what happens to the rug in our Skokie workshop and in what order, and how long the work usually takes. We are rug specialists, not carpet cleaners; the difference in method is explained in why a carpet cleaner’s method damages a hand-knotted rug.
Our transportation policy
Insured pickup and delivery is free within 5 miles of our Skokie workshop or our St. Charles location, and $75 round trip beyond.
On larger orders and restoration projects we may waive the transportation fee; we tell you at estimate.
Whichever location is closer to you, the cleaning, repair and restoration are done in our Skokie workshop. Details are on our pickup and delivery service page.
Typical route days
Collections and returns follow a weekly pattern by area. These are typical route days, confirmed when you book.
- Monday
- Skokie and Evanston
- Tuesday
- North Shore
- Wednesday
- Northwest suburbs
- Thursday
- St. Charles and the western suburbs
- Friday
- Chicago and Oak Park
Large jobs, urgent requests and special appointments are scheduled flexibly, outside this pattern where the route allows.
What we need to know before we arrive
Tell us about any of the following when you book. Each needs advance notice, so the right arrangements are in place before the appointment.
Stairs and elevators
Stairs on the way in or out, and whether the building has an elevator.
Parking and restricted loading
Where parking is available, and whether loading is restricted.
Loading docks
Whether the building requires the use of a loading dock.
Reservations and certificates of insurance
Some buildings need a reservation or a certificate of insurance (COI) before a pickup. Tell us early so it is in place before the appointment.
Oversized rugs
Oversized rugs need advance notice.
Heavy rugs and complicated removals
Heavy rugs and complicated removals may need extra arrangements.
What happens to your rug, in order
The aim is to keep the rug’s original character, not only to make it look clean. Details of the wash itself are on our hand rug cleaning service page.
- 1
Inspect
Construction, fibers, dyes and condition are examined before we recommend treatment.
- 2
Document condition
The rug’s condition is documented before any work begins.
- 3
Identify materials and construction
The rug’s materials and construction are identified.
- 4
Recommend before proceeding
You hear what we recommend and why before we proceed.
- 5
Dust removal
Dry soil is removed from the rug before it is washed.
- 6
Wash
The rug is washed by a method suited to its fibers, dyes and construction, not a carpet-cleaning method.
- 7
Controlled drying
The rug is dried under controlled conditions.
- 8
Final inspection
The rug is inspected again before it is returned.
At each stage you know who is handling the rug, what we recommend, and why.
Turnaround
- Standard cleaning
- 5–7 business days
- Moth treatment
- 7–14 business days. Reweaving moth damage is repair work and is quoted after inspection. See how moth treatment works.
- Single-rug written appraisal
- Standard turnaround is typically 1–2 business days. More on our rug appraisal service.
- Repair and restoration
- Quoted after inspection. See rug repair and rug restoration.
What we do not promise
- We cannot promise same-day pickup or same-day delivery.
- Appointments depend on route availability, which is why route days are confirmed when you book rather than fixed in advance.
- We do not promise that every rug can be cleaned on-site.
- We do not promise that every stain or every kind of damage can be fully corrected.
Request a free estimate.
We respond the same business day.