Rug cleaning: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What rug cleaning is

Rug cleaning removes dust, dirt and stains from area rugs by beating or vacuuming out the loose soil, washing with a fiber-appropriate solution and drying thoroughly. Fine materials such as wool, silk and hand-knotted pieces need gentler methods and an experienced cleaner.

Signs you need it

  • The rug has a gray or dull look in the traffic path even after vacuuming
  • Pet urine or food stains have set into the pile and the rug smells of it
  • Fringe or edges are dirty and the backing shows grime or dust
  • The rug is a wool, silk or hand-knotted piece that has not been professionally cleaned for years
  • Allergies get worse when the rug is walked on, which suggests dust trapped in the fiber

What the pro does

  • Identify the fiber, backing and dyes, and test a hidden corner for colorfastness before any wash
  • Dust out the rug by beating or running it through a rug cleaning machine to lift loose soil
  • Pre-treat stains and odors with a product suited to the fiber, such as wool-safe or silk-safe solutions
  • Wash the rug in a controlled method, using a gentle wash and rinse suited to the material
  • Remove water and dry the rug flat or on a rack, away from direct heat and sun
  • Trim loose fringe or secure edges if needed, and report any repairs needed to the owner

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Rug size, measured in area, and how heavy the rug is when wet
  • Fiber type, since wool, silk, cotton, synthetic and hand-knotted rugs each need a different method
  • Number and type of stains, including pet urine and dye bleeding
  • Whether the rug needs repair, fringe work or binding
  • Whether the rug is picked up and delivered or cleaned on site
  • Drying time needed for the rug thickness and the climate in the home

What a written quote should spell out

  • The rug's fiber type and the method chosen, with the reason for it
  • Stain and odor treatment included, and any stain that may not fully lift
  • Pickup and delivery, if included, and how the rug is wrapped for transport
  • Drying time and how the rug is dried, such as flat or on a rack
  • Repairs or fringe work included, or quoted separately

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is the fiber and backing of my rug, and how do you test it before washing
  • Do you wash hand-knotted or silk rugs in place or send them to a workshop
  • What do you use on pet urine, and will it damage the dye or the wool
  • How long will the rug take to dry, and where do you dry it
  • Will you tell me about any fraying, moth damage or loose fringe you find
  • Do you offer a warranty on colorfastness or shrinkage

Red flags

  • A rug cleaner who skips the colorfastness test on a dyed or antique piece
  • Machine washing or hot water on a hand-knotted or silk rug without an assessment
  • Drying a wet rug in direct sun or near a heater, which can warp or shrink it
  • No mention of how the rug is wrapped or moved, risking damage to fringe

What you can do yourself

You can vacuum the rug on both sides with no beater bar, lift a fresh spill quickly with a dry cloth and rotate the rug to even out wear. Call a professional for wet washing, for wool, silk and hand-knotted rugs, for set-in stains, and for any rug where the backing or fringe is loose.

Licenses and permits

Rug cleaning is not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration that applies to a cleaning company, and check any rules that apply to a workshop or repair service you use for antique or hand-knotted pieces.

Rug cleaning questions

Can I put a rug in the washing machine?

Only if the label says it is machine washable. Most area rugs, especially wool, silk and hand-knotted pieces, should be cleaned by a professional who tests the fiber first.

How often should an area rug be cleaned?

It depends on traffic and pets. High-traffic rugs often benefit from a professional clean once or twice a year, and sooner if pets or spills have touched the pile.

Will the rug shrink when it is cleaned?

Some synthetic and wool rugs can shrink or distort with heat or too much water. Ask the cleaner for their method and whether they stretch or block the rug to dry.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More cleaning and organizing guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request rug cleaning