Service
Restore the beauty of your Oriental rugs
Your Oriental rugs need specialized care to maintain their beauty and value. Shah Abbas Rugs provides meticulous Oriental rug cleaning designed to preserve delicate fibres and vibrant colours. Our process includes:
- Hand-washing for all rugs
- Dust removal from the front and back sides
- Testing to ensure a rug is washable
- Environmentally safe, specially formulated soaps
- Fan-drying to protect quality
We understand the investment you have made in your fine textiles. Reach out to schedule a cleaning, and remember that pick-up and delivery are complimentary.
When to clean
Preserve your investment with proper care
Oriental rugs accumulate dirt, dust and allergens that regular vacuuming cannot remove. Proper cleaning extends the life of your rugs while protecting their intricate craftsmanship. Consider cleaning when you notice:
- Colours that appear less vibrant than they once did
- Embedded soil and visible traffic patterns
- Pet stains or odours
- Dirt that remains after routine vacuuming
- Allergies worsening at home
- Years since the last cleaning
What to expect
How we work
Evaluation first
We begin by evaluating the rug's condition and determining whether it can be safely washed. Different fibres, dyes and constructions respond differently to moisture, so we test before any water touches the rug.
Dusting, washing, rinsing
Dust is removed from both sides of the rug before washing begins. We then hand wash with an environmentally safe, specially formulated soap and rinse thoroughly.
Controlled drying
After washing we use fan-drying methods to help protect the quality of the rug as it dries, then groom and inspect it before it goes back to you.
The process
What actually happens to your rug
Six stages, in this order, every time. The order is not negotiable — washing a rug before it is dusted turns dry soil into mud.
1. Inspection
Fibre identified, construction noted, damage photographed, and the rug checked for anything that means it should not be washed at all.
2. Dye testing
Every colour tested for bleeding before water touches the rug. Some older reds and some modern synthetics will run, and finding that out mid-wash cannot be undone.
3. Dusting
Dry soil shaken out mechanically from the front and the back. This is the stage that separates rug washing from carpet cleaning, and it is where most of the weight comes out.
4. Washing
Full immersion, by hand, with environmentally safe soaps formulated for natural fibres and dyes. Agitation is matched to the rug, not the schedule.
5. Rinsing
Until the water runs clear. Soap left in a rug attracts soil straight back.
6. Drying and finishing
Fan-dried flat so the rug does not distort, then groomed, squared and inspected before it goes back to you.
By fibre
Different fibres, different handling
Wool is the most common and the most forgiving — it holds dye well and recovers from washing. Silk needs slower handling, gentler agitation and closer control of drying, and we charge accordingly because it takes longer.
Cotton foundations and cotton flatweaves absorb heavily and need careful drying to avoid mildew. Viscose is the difficult one: it loses strength when wet and can be permanently damaged by methods that are perfectly safe on wool.
We identify the fibre before quoting, which is the honest reason a firm price cannot be given over the phone.
What we will not do
- Run a hand-knotted rug through a machine
- Use harsh detergents or high-alkaline products on natural dyes
- Heat-dry a rug to speed up turnaround
- Promise a result on pet urine before seeing the rug
- Start any work before you have a written quote
Turnaround
How long you will be without it
Most rugs take several days. Dusting, washing, drying and inspection each need their own time, and drying flat is the stage that cannot be rushed without distorting the rug. Heavily soiled pieces sometimes need a second wash.
We give you a timeframe when we collect, and we call if anything changes it. If the rug is going back into a room you use daily, tell us and we will schedule around it.
Why choose us
Why choose Shah Abbas Rugs
Locally and family-owned and operated since 1980
Complimentary pick-up and delivery
Decades of experience with fine rugs and delicate fabrics
Specialized care for natural dyes and organic fabrics
Careful attention to preserving your rug's original character
Services
Other services
Oriental Rug Cleaning
Hand washing that preserves colour and pattern while thoroughly cleaning every fibre.
Learn more →Rug Repairs
Frayed edges, moth damage and worn areas, repaired to extend a rug's life.
Learn more →Rug Padding & Appraisal
Premium padding and professional appraisals for insurance, estate planning or resale.
Learn more →Schedule your complimentary pick-up
Call the gallery or send a message and we will arrange collection from your home.