Home ⇒ Oriental Rug Cleaning in Chicago
Expert Oriental Rug Cleaning in Chicago
That rug has a story. Maybe your grandmother brought it from the old country. Maybe you found it at an estate sale and fell in love with it. Maybe you inherited it and have no idea what it’s actually worth. Whatever the story, you know it’s special—and you’re probably terrified of ruining it.
Here’s the thing: Oriental rugs are tougher than people think. They’ve survived decades, sometimes centuries. They’ve been walked on, spilled on, faded by sun, beaten with sticks to clean them. They’re not delicate flowers.
But they do need proper care. And “proper” doesn’t mean the same thing for an Oriental rug as it does for your wall-to-wall carpet. Different fibers, different dyes, different construction. The cleaning method that works perfectly on your Berber carpet could destroy a hand-knotted Persian.
At Carpet Cleaning Group, we’ve been cleaning Oriental rugs across Chicago for years. Persian, Turkish, Afghan, Chinese, Indian—we’ve handled thousands of them. Some worth a few hundred dollars, some worth tens of thousands. We treat them all with the same care because every rug matters to somebody.
Free pickup and delivery across Chicago. Call (773) 570-4224 for a free evaluation.
Why Oriental Rugs Need Specialized Cleaning
Your carpet cleaner probably shouldn’t clean your Oriental rug. Not because they’re bad at their job—because it’s a completely different job.
Construction differences: Wall-to-wall carpet is machine-made with synthetic fibers glued to a backing. Oriental rugs are hand-knotted (or hand-woven) with natural fibers tied to a foundation. The cleaning approach has to match the construction.
Fiber differences: Most Oriental rugs are wool, silk, or a combination. Some have cotton foundations. Natural fibers react differently to water, heat, and chemicals than synthetics do. Wool can shrink. Silk can be damaged by enzymes. Cotton can mildew if not dried properly.
Dye differences: Many Oriental rugs use natural or traditional dyes that can bleed or migrate if cleaned incorrectly. That beautiful red might end up on the white areas if we use the wrong temperature or pH. Some dyes are stable; some aren’t. We test before cleaning.
Value differences: Your hallway carpet cost a few dollars per square foot. Your grandmother’s Tabriz might be worth $100-500 per square foot—or more. The stakes are different.
We approach Oriental rug cleaning as part of our specialized area rug cleaning services, with extra expertise for these valuable pieces.
Get Professional Oriental Rug Cleaning in Chicago Today
Chicago’s trusted oriental rug cleaning experts are ready to restore your rug. Call +17735704224 or email vytasmacius@gmail.com for your free quote today!
Types of Oriental Rugs We Clean
Persian Rugs
The most famous Oriental rugs. Hand-knotted in Iran (formerly Persia) in regional styles—Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Kerman, Heriz, and many others. Usually wool pile on cotton foundation, sometimes silk. Known for intricate patterns and rich colors.
Persian rugs vary enormously in quality and value. A village rug might be worth a few hundred dollars. A fine city rug from a famous workshop could be worth six figures. We assess each one individually.
Turkish Rugs
Also called Anatolian rugs. Often feature bolder geometric patterns than Persian rugs. Usually wool on wool or wool on cotton. Turkish rugs frequently use the Gördes (Turkish) knot rather than the Senneh (Persian) knot—this affects how we handle them.
Afghan and Tribal Rugs
Rugs from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asian tribal groups. Often have distinctive red and black colorways (like Bokhara patterns). Usually very durable wool with natural dyes. These tend to be quite robust but still need proper care.
Chinese Rugs
Distinctive style with different construction than Middle Eastern rugs. Often feature sculpted pile (carved designs) and pastel colors. Some are quite old; many are more recent production. Chinese rugs usually handle cleaning well but the sculpted pile needs special attention.
Indian Rugs
India produces both traditional designs and reproductions of Persian patterns. Quality varies widely from commercial-grade to very fine. Cotton foundation is common. Some Indian rugs are more sensitive to moisture than others.
Caucasian Rugs
From the Caucasus region (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia). Usually geometric designs with bold colors. Often antique or semi-antique. These can be quite valuable and require careful handling.
Silk Rugs
Whether Persian Qum, Turkish Hereke, or Chinese silk, these are the most delicate Oriental rugs. Pure silk pile on silk foundation. Extremely fine knotting, sometimes 500+ knots per square inch. Silk rugs need dry cleaning or very gentle wet cleaning—never standard methods.
Rug cleaning Prices
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+ Chase lounge long cushion $50
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+ Regular size seat cushion $25
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+ Back cushion $20
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+ Small cushion $15
Minimum service order $180
*3.7% processing fee for credit card
*NO fuel/parking fee
Our Oriental Rug Cleaning Process
We don’t clean Oriental rugs in your home. Too risky, not enough control. We bring them to our facility where we can do it right.
Step 1: Pickup We come to you, carefully roll the rug (never fold—folding can crack foundation fibers), wrap it for transport, and bring it to our facility. Free within Chicago and surrounding areas.
Step 2: Detailed inspection We examine the rug thoroughly. Check for:
- Fiber type (wool, silk, cotton, blends)
- Dye stability (we test in hidden areas)
- Construction type and condition
- Existing damage (holes, tears, fraying, moth damage)
- Previous repairs
- Stains and problem areas
We document everything with photos. If there’s existing damage, we note it so you know we didn’t cause it.
Step 3: Dust removal Oriental rugs hold enormous amounts of dry soil—often several pounds per rug. This gritty dust settles deep into the pile and foundation, grinding away at fibers every time someone walks on it.
We remove dust with specialized equipment that doesn’t damage the rug. This step alone makes a huge difference. Most of the “cleaning” is actually dust removal.
Step 4: Cleaning Method depends on the rug:
Full immersion washing: For most wool Oriental rugs in good condition. The rug is submerged in temperature-controlled water with pH-appropriate cleaning solution. We gently wash the pile by hand, working with the direction of the fibers. Multiple rinses until water runs clear. This is how Oriental rugs were traditionally cleaned for centuries.
Dry cleaning: For silk rugs and extremely delicate antiques that can’t tolerate water. Special solvents clean without moisture risk.
Low-moisture cleaning: For rugs with unstable dyes or conditions that make full immersion risky. Controlled moisture, careful technique.
Step 5: Fringe cleaning The fringe on Oriental rugs is actually part of the rug’s foundation (the warp threads). It’s usually cotton or wool, and it shows dirt easily. We hand-wash fringes separately, brighten if appropriate (some fringes are supposed to be cream, not white), and carefully dry.
Step 6: Controlled drying We dry rugs flat in our climate-controlled facility. Never hanging (causes stretching and distortion). Never direct heat (causes shrinkage and damage). Air circulation at controlled temperature and humidity. Takes 24-48 hours but prevents all sorts of problems.
Step 7: Grooming and inspection Once dry, we groom the pile to restore proper nap direction. Final inspection ensures everything looks right. We photograph the finished rug.
Step 8: Delivery We return your rug, unroll it in place, and make sure you’re happy with the results.
Whole process usually takes 5-7 business days. Rush service available if you need it faster.
- Our specialized pet stain and odor treatment targets the source, eliminating unpleasant smells and restoring the freshness and cleanliness of your home. Create a more comfortable, inviting space for both you and your furry companions.
$1.00 per sq ft
- Our disinfectant process involves the application of a specialized cleaning solution, enriched with antimicrobial agents, designed to effectively eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. This ensures that the carpet is thoroughly sanitized, promoting a healthier and safer environment.
$1.00 per sq ft
- Our fiber protectant is a specialized solution formulated to safeguard carpets, upholstery, and area rugs from stains and spills. By creating a protective barrier around each fiber, it enhances the resistance to liquids and soils, helping to maintain the pristine condition of your fabrics for longer.
$1.00 per sq ft
Handling Special Concerns
Color Bleeding
This is everyone’s biggest fear. Red dye ends up where it shouldn’t, and suddenly your rug looks wrong.
We prevent bleeding by:
- Testing every rug for dye stability before wet cleaning
- Using appropriate water temperature (hot water causes more bleeding)
- Controlling pH (wrong pH releases dyes)
- Proper rinsing technique
- Fast, flat drying (slow drying allows colors to migrate)
If testing shows unstable dyes, we adjust our approach. Some rugs need dry cleaning. Some can handle gentle wet cleaning with precautions. Some rugs—honestly—have such unstable dyes that they’ll bleed no matter what, and we’ll tell you that upfront.
Old Stains
Pet stains, wine, food, water damage—we’ve seen it all. Many old stains can be improved significantly. Some are permanent. We’ll assess during inspection and give you realistic expectations.
Carpet Cleaning Group
3652 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
Phone: +17735704224
Email: vytasmacius@gmail.com
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Pet urine is particularly tricky on Oriental rugs because it often soaks through to the foundation. We can treat it, but success depends on how long it’s been there and what the rug is made of.
Moth Damage
Moths love wool. If your rug has been in storage or under furniture, check for moth damage—small holes, loose fibers, visible larvae. We don’t repair moth damage ourselves, but we can recommend restoration specialists. We can clean the rug and treat it to prevent future moth issues.
Foundation Damage
Dry rot, holes, tears, fraying edges—these are structural issues. Minor fraying we can sometimes address. Major foundation damage needs professional restoration. We’ll tell you if repair is needed and recommend people who do good work.
Odors
Musty smell usually means the rug got wet at some point and wasn’t dried properly. Pet odor means accidents happened. Deep cleaning and proper drying eliminates most odors. Severe cases might need additional treatment.
Rug Protection and Maintenance
After cleaning, consider protection treatment. We offer rug protection services that help repel spills and resist soil. Good for rugs in high-traffic areas or homes with kids and pets.
Between professional cleanings:
- Vacuum regularly (but carefully—use low suction, no beater bar on delicate rugs)
- Rotate periodically to even out wear and fading
- Blot spills immediately—never rub
- Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent fading
- Use quality rug pads on hard floors
Professional cleaning every 2-5 years depending on traffic and conditions.
Call Carpet Cleaning Group now for professional Oriental Cleaning Services across Chicago and Chicagoland.
Common Questions
Depends on size, fiber content, and condition. Generally $3-8 per square foot for wool rugs, more for silk or heavily soiled pieces. We provide exact quotes after inspection.
Honestly, we can’t appraise rugs—that’s a different expertise. We can tell you about construction quality and origin, but for value, see a certified appraiser. We clean $200 rugs and $20,000 rugs with the same care.
Yes, within Chicago and near suburbs. Further out we may charge a small trip fee. Call and we’ll let you know.
Yes. We’ve cleaned rugs that were used as drop cloths during renovation. We’ve cleaned rugs from estates that hadn’t been touched in decades. Heavy soil takes more work, but we handle it.
We’re insured. In the rare event of damage, we cover it. But damage is extremely rare when you know what you’re doing—and we do.
Minor issues like fringe repair or edge binding, sometimes. Major restoration we refer out. We know good people.
Trust Your Rug to Experts
Your Oriental rug isn’t just floor covering—it’s art, it’s history, it’s often family heritage. It deserves cleaning by people who understand what they’re handling.
We’ve been doing this in Chicago for years. We’ve cleaned rugs from every major weaving region. We know the difference between a Heriz and a Serapi, between a Bokhara and a Tekke. More importantly, we know how to clean each one properly.
Free pickup and delivery. Careful handling. Expert cleaning. Honest assessment.
Call +17735704224 for a free evaluation. We’re at 3652 N Milwaukee Ave in Chicago.
Your grandmother’s rug is safe with us.