Oriental Rug Cleaning. Rochester & Buffalo, NY
Persian, Turkish, Afghan, Chinese, and antique hand-knotted rugs deserve more than a standard clean. We know the difference — and we treat them accordingly.
Serving Rochester & Buffalo, NY — Free Pick-Up & Delivery across the region.
✦ Request a QuoteWhy Oriental Rugs Need Specialist Care
Oriental rugs — hand-knotted pieces from Persia (Iran), Turkey, Afghanistan, China, India, and other weaving traditions — are among the most complex textile objects in everyday use. Their construction, fibre composition, dye chemistry, and age all create conditions that standard rug cleaning equipment and chemistry cannot safely handle.
The consequences of cleaning an oriental rug incorrectly include dye bleeding, pile distortion, foundation damage, shrinkage, and — in severe cases — irreversible colour loss. These aren't theoretical risks. They happen when oriental rugs go through steam cleaning, dry cleaning, or machine processes designed for synthetic wall-to-wall carpet.
We specialise in oriental rugs because they require it. Our process is built around full-immersion hand washing with fibre-matched chemistry — the same approach used by the best rug conservators, and the only method that cleans these pieces safely and thoroughly.
Types of Oriental Rugs We Clean
- Persian (Iranian) rugs — Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Heriz, Qom, and tribal weavings
- Turkish rugs — Oushak, Hereke, kilims, and village pieces
- Afghan & Pakistani rugs — Bokhara, Mahal, Ziegler, and tribal designs
- Chinese & Tibetan rugs — including high-pile Tibetan weavings with wool or silk
- Indian rugs — Agra, Jaipur, Mughal, and contemporary hand-knotted pieces
- Antique oriental rugs — 50+ year old pieces with aged natural dyes requiring the most delicate approach
- Silk & silk-blend oriental rugs — handled under our deep hand washing protocol
Our Approach
Pre-Wash Assessment
Every oriental rug is inspected before we begin. We identify the fibre composition, test dye stability in multiple zones, assess the foundation and pile condition, and note any pre-existing damage. This determines the chemistry and process we use — there is no one-size-fits-all approach here.
Full-Immersion Hand Washing
Oriental rugs are washed by immersion in our 1,200-gallon wash facility, with hand agitation by our technicians. Unlike machine washing, our team controls every aspect of the process — pressure, temperature, chemistry concentration, and rinse thoroughness — adjusting as needed for each individual piece.
Controlled Drying
How a rug dries matters as much as how it's washed. Oriental rugs are dried flat, in a climate-controlled environment, with careful attention to pile direction and fringe alignment. We don't rush this stage. Improper drying causes as many problems as improper washing.
Fringe Care — Included
The fringe on an oriental rug is part of the foundation — not decoration. It's the exposed warp threads that hold the entire structure together. We clean, whiten, and groom fringe as standard on every oriental rug we handle. If fringe is damaged or unravelling, we'll identify this during pre-inspection and discuss repair options separately.
What to Expect on Turnaround
Oriental rugs typically take longer than standard rugs — the careful pre-inspection, extended soak, hand washing, and controlled drying all add time. Most oriental rug cleans are completed within 7–14 days. We'll give you a realistic timeframe when we assess your rug and keep you informed if anything changes.