Rug types
Oriental Rug Cleaning in NYC
Oriental rugs are hand-knotted on wool or cotton foundations and dyed with colors that each behave differently in water. They clean beautifully when they are washed the traditional way, and poorly when they are treated like carpet.
A broad family of rugs
“Oriental rug” covers hand-knotted rugs from a wide belt of weaving cultures. Persian city and village rugs, Turkish Oushaks and Hereke pieces, bold geometric Caucasian rugs, Afghan tribal and contemporary production, Indian rugs woven in Persian designs, Chinese rugs including Art Deco pieces from the 1920s and 30s, and Tibetan rugs with their thick, lanolin-rich wool. They differ in knot type, density, wool quality and dyes, and each tells us something about how it should be cleaned.
Why immersion, not steam
A hand-knotted rug is a woven structure: warp threads run its length, weft threads cross them, and the pile knots are tied around the warps. Soil works down into this foundation, well below where a steam wand or extraction tool can reach. Hot-water extraction also pushes moisture into the foundation without rinsing it out, which can leave residue, cause browning on cotton warps and encourage dye bleed as the rug dries slowly from the back.
Immersion washing does the opposite. After dusting removes dry grit, the whole rug is wetted evenly, washed by hand with a gentle wool-safe solution, and rinsed with plenty of clean water until the soil is gone. It then dries flat and quickly with good air movement. It is the method these rugs were made to tolerate.
Dye testing comes first
Every color is tested before washing. Many older rugs are dyed with natural dyes that are usually stable; others, especially mid-century pieces and some repairs, include synthetic dyes that can run. Testing tells us which water temperature, solution and timing to use, and whether a rug needs a color-safe approach.
The fringe is part of the rug
On a hand-knotted rug, the fringe is the end of the warp, not trim sewn on afterward. We wash it with the rug, never bleach it, and check the end finish for loose knots. If it needs securing, we will tell you before any work is done.
Step by step
Our process
01
Identify
We note origin, construction, fibers and dyes.
02
Dust and test
Dry soil is removed and every color is tested.
03
Immersion wash
Hand washed and fully rinsed with clean water.
04
Dry flat
Fast, even drying, then grooming and inspection.
Before you book
What to expect and turnaround
We will tell you what we learn about your rug at inspection, including any old repairs, moth activity or dye concerns.
Wear and fading are part of a rug's history and do not wash out. Where they matter, restoration can help.
Most oriental rugs return in about a week. Repairs or color work take longer and are confirmed after inspection.
FAQ
Questions we hear often
Can an oriental rug be steam cleaned?
We do not recommend it. Steam and extraction leave moisture and residue in the foundation and can cause browning and dye bleed.
How do I know if my rug is hand-knotted?
Look at the back. A hand-knotted rug shows the design clearly with small, slightly irregular knots, and the fringe is the end of the warp. We can confirm at inspection.
Will washing fade the colors?
No. A careful wash removes the soil that dulls colors. We test dyes first to choose a safe method.
How often should an oriental rug be washed?
Every one to two years in most homes, more often in busy rooms or with pets.
Related
Related services
- Persian Rug CleaningTabriz, Kashan, Isfahan, Nain, Heriz and tribal Persian rugs.
- Silk Rug CleaningReal silk and art silk, tested and cleaned with controlled moisture.
- Rug CleaningFull immersion wash for Persian, oriental, silk and antique rugs.
- Color RestorationFaded or run dyes carefully corrected and balanced.