Rug Cleaning

After a thorough inspection, our team will determine the fabric content, age, color, and any other aspects of your rug that may affect our approach to cleaning it. Along with that, we will “prescribe” the treatment that best suits your rug, and give you a prediction of what we believe you can expect for our end result.

Unlike wall-to-wall carpet, specialty rugs cannot be cleaned on location. For the attention they need, your oriental rugs will be transferred to our plant, where we have the tools and treatments available for us to execute a more intensive cleaning and controlled drying than we could at your home.

Our company will come to your home to pick up your rug, or you may drop it by our shop.

Woven rugs, especially hand knotted rugs, are designed to hide dry soil. According to a study conducted by Eureka, a 9 x 12 foot rug can hold up to 87 pounds a dirt. To prevent a catastrophe like this, we use a variety of techniques to rid your rug of dust on all sides. Using a machine called a pile-lifter, special vacuum attachments, and other methods conducted by our technicians, we implement all necessary actions for this highly important step in the textile-cleaning process.

Our cleaning staff in the Northern Virginia area guarantees attention to detail. This means not overlooking anything.  This step is important to increase the potential for a full restoration.  Depending on fiber content and soiling type, the rug will be pre-treated to separate and bring to the surface any soils that have worked their way into the fabric.

Any potentially difficult spots will be pre-treated with special solutions to increase chances of removal. The fringe is also pre-treated for maximum soil removal.

Depending on fiber content and soiling type, the rug will be pre-treated to emulsify the soils. Most rugs are cleaned with an Oriental Rug Shampoo that is specially designed to get maximum cleaning while protecting sensitive natural fibers.

Depending on the type of rug, we then rinse with extraction equipment on both sides or wash in a wash pit designed especially for Oriental Rugs.

Once the soil is rinsed away, the rug is dried flat or hung to dry in a controlled environment. Proper drying is essential to avoid unnatural shrinkage.

When the rug is dry, it is combed and finished with soft groomers made for specialty rugs. Our team at Smart Choice Cleaning understands how to customize our cleaning solutions, especially in this stage, to keep your rug looking pitch-perfect and damage-free.

Our cleaning specialist will give the rug a final inspection and release it for pick up or delivery. Your rug will be wrapped in brown craft paper to protect it from dust and environmental soils until it is picked up or delivered. Upon delivery, we will lay the rug for you.