How to Protect Your Rug When You Send It Out for Cleaning

Sending a rug out for cleaning should be simple. Most problems start with a surprise. The price changes after pickup. A stain was never going to come out. Or the rug is gone for weeks and nobody calls.

A few minutes of prep before you send a rug out for cleaning prevents all three. You’ll know the price before it leaves, you’ll know what to expect when it comes back, and you’ll have a record of its condition. Here’s the same advice we give our own customers, step by step.

Before You Send Your Rug Out for Cleaning

Measure it

Rug cleaning is priced by size. At our shop it’s $3.50 per square foot, so an 8 by 10 rug (80 square feet) is $280. Our $180 minimum applies to rug orders, too.

Take photos

Shoot the front, the back, and each corner. Get close-ups of the fringe, worn spots, and stains.

Share the history

Pet accidents, old spot cleaners, and past water damage all change how a rug cleans. Tell us what you know.

Ask when it will be back

Our turnaround is 1 to 2 weeks. If you need it by a certain date, say so when you book. On pickup day, move small furniture off the rug if you can. We roll it, protect it, and carry it out.

Why We Inspect First

Every rug gets inspected before it’s cleaned. We tell you what may not come out before any work starts.

Damage that won’t reverse

Sun fading and dye that has already bled usually can’t be undone. Pet urine can change the color of the fibers, and cleaning often can’t fix that.

Why it matters to you

A good cleaner tells you this up front. A bad one lets you find out when the rug comes home.

Why Fine Rugs Leave the House

We clean area rugs at our shop, not on your floor. Wool and hand-knotted rugs soak up a lot of water. Cleaning them in place risks moisture reaching the wood underneath. At the shop, the rug is cleaned and dried away from your floors.

Rug makers say the same thing. Couristan’s rug care guide advises sending area rugs to a professional and says in-home cleaning isn’t recommended. Read about our oriental rug cleaning, or learn how wool and synthetic rugs clean differently.

When It Comes Home

Use a pad and turn it

A rug pad keeps the rug from sliding and takes wear off the back. Turn the rug every six months so sun and traffic wear it evenly.

Handle spills fast

Blot spills right away with a clean white cloth. Don’t rub. Vacuum regularly, and go easy on the fringe.

For more care tips, see how to clean an expensive rug without ruining it. If you want a rug back before guests arrive, book early. Here’s more on cleaning rugs around the holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to send a rug out for cleaning?

At our shop, rug cleaning is $3.50 per square foot. The $180 minimum applies to rug orders. Pickup and delivery are free.

How long will my rug be gone?

Most rugs are back in 1 to 2 weeks. If you need yours by a certain date, tell us when you book.

What if a stain doesn’t come out?

We inspect every rug first and tell you what may not come out before any work starts. That way there are no surprises when it comes home.

Do you pick up rugs in the suburbs?

Yes. Pickup and delivery are free across Chicago and the suburbs.

Should I vacuum my rug before pickup?

You don’t need to. Just clear small furniture off it and make a path to the door.