How much is the cost of area rug cleaning?
Oriental and specialty rugs are all unique and different. Please call 919-371-5573 or submit your information in a quote form on this page for a free estimate for your particular rug. We are finalizing a Rug Cleaning Cost Estimator program, so check back soon for that! Remember, we also have pick up and delivery services in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, & surrounding Triangle areas.
How long will it take to get my area rugs back?
Most rugs are ready for pick up after 10 business days, allowing for the extra time needed for rug repairs, excessive odor/stain removal, and backlogs during the holidays. For your convenience, we will be happy to schedule a delivery date and time when we pick up your area rug.
Do I need to remove furniture off my area rugs prior to arrival?
We will gladly move most smaller furniture pieces to safely retrieve your rug for a small fee; however, some particularly heavy pieces will need to be moved prior to our arrival. We also request you remove all small breakable items from the tops of all pieces that will need to be moved. While we’re really great at rug cleaning, we’re definitely not furniture movers. We can handle small coffee tables and end tables, maybe a side chair or the front legs of a sofa on the rug… but we do not move large pieces like sectionals, beds, dressers, hutches, pianos, or electronics.
We have an excellent relationship with JK Transportation and they can expertly handle those heavy furniture moving situations and will even bring your rugs to us, so you’ll get the cash and carry discount!
Can you store my area rug after it’s cleaned?
Yes. We can store your rug for up to 14 days free of charge. After 14 days there is a $1.00 per day per rug storage fee unless other arrangements have been made prior to acceptance.
I am moving – Can you deliver my area rug to my new address?
Yes. We can deliver to your new address as long as it is in our service area. If you are moving to our extended service area, we can make a plan to deliver to your new location as well. Additionally, we can ship your rug anywhere in the continental US.
Do you have insurance for my area rugs when they are picked up and stored in your facility?
Yes. Our insurance covers your property when it is entrusted to us for service and storage.
When you deliver my area rug, will you put my furniture back in its proper place?
Yes. If we moved smaller pieces to access your rug, we can move them again to reinstall your rug. There is a small fee for re-installation of the rug when we move items. We would appreciate you being at home to instruct us where you would like the rug placed. If we are not moving furniture, we are happy to unroll the rug (and pad) at no charge.
Can I deliver my area rug to your location?
Yes. Please call our office, at 919-289-8424, in advance whenever possible to arrange for one of our area rug specialists to be available to assist you. Our office hours for drop-offs and pick-ups is 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. When you arrive, come into the office to check in and we will assist in removing the rug from your vehicle.
What kind of training do you have?
Over our many years in business, we have earned a reputation as professionals in our area of expertise. We are specialists in all aspects of Oriental and specialty rug care. The cleaning technicians are thoroughly trained to identify rug specificities and custom clean your rug according to our standards of excellence. Our skilled rug specialists are attentive to the detailed mending needs of your rug. We are committed to providing excellent care and service in every step of your rug’s cleaning process. Robert Pettyjohn is a certified Master Rug Cleaner and one of only 74 ARCS Rug Care Specialists in the nation.
Do you sell area rugs?
No. Well, not exactly. We professionally clean a variety of Oriental and specialty area rugs in our dedicated state of the art facility. On occasion, we will have an abandoned or donated rug for sale. Check with the office to see what’s currently available.
Do you sell rug pads?
Yes. We do sell rug pads that are custom fit to your area rug. We offer two thicknesses of padding to fit the needs of your rug and use conditions. The padding offers a moisture barrier to absorb large spills (or pet urine!) and can be cleaned in the future, so it won’t have to be replaced with each accident.
Is the pad that you sell used on hard surfaces as well as carpet?
Yes. We sell pads for both hard surfaces as well as carpet. The pad is environment-friendly, non-toxic, non-allergenic, and made from 100% recycled post-synthetic fibers. It protects and stabilizes the rug and prevents slippage as well as providing some degree of sound absorption.
Can you Wrap my area rug for storage?
Yes. We wrap rugs for long-term storage in a one-way breathable plastic. Please call us for the price of this service.
How can I fold a rug for transport?
Please see the video below for instructions on how to fold an area rug for transport.
How often should I clean my area rug?
The time frame for cleaning a rug depends on a few factors, like use conditions (how much traffic it gets) and maintenance (how often it is vacuumed.) As a general guideline, we recommend professional rug cleaning be performed every 1-3 years. If there are pets, smokers, or people with respiratory illnesses in your home, area rug cleaning should be performed more often. If your vacuum schedule is intermittent or you have high traffic, in your main living room, those rugs may need to be cleaned more often.
How do I determine when it is time to clean my area rug?
To determine if it’s time to clean your rug, try these simple tests:
Rub your palm on the rug for a few seconds. If your hand becomes dirty, it is time for cleaning.
Kneel down on the rug and smell it. If you detect a foul odor, it is time to have it cleaned.
Lift a rug corner and vigorously shake it up and down once or twice. If you see a dust cloud forming, it is definitely time for a cleaning.
With the rug facing up, fold a corner of the rug back, away from the pile, to expose the base of the fibers. Have the rug professionally cleaned if there is dirt deep in the pile.
What chemicals do you use to wash my rug?
We custom formulate our own rug cleaning shampoo to be similar to that of a hypo-allergenic shampoo for your hair, using things like plant-based anionic surfactants, epsom salt, and no added fragrances. If we do need to use anything more aggressive (on urine, for example) we guarantee 100% removal of that product. We also use naturally-softened rain water to wash your rugs.
Do you guarantee pet odor removal?
Yes. But, with all types of pet accidents that occur on area rugs, please allow our trained service providers to first inspect the condition of the rug. Severe accumulation of urine can require an extensive cleaning process that we will discuss with you before agreeing to clean your rug.
Do you guarantee stain removal?
If a stain has not affected the fibers permanently, we have a much higher chance of removing it. “Over-the-counter” spot cleaners and aggressive scrubbing can damage your rug fibers and negatively impact our ability to fully remove a stain. Please call us as soon as you notice the stain, since taking care of it as early as possible increases our chance of success.
Is my rug even worth cleaning?
That is a personal decision depending on your emotional attachment, if any, to the rug and the replacement value of the rug. Many people design a whole room around their Oriental rug and replacing it could require refurnishing the entire room. It may be cheaper to clean the rug. We also clean many family heirloom pieces where replacement simply isn’t an option. We will be happy to give you a professional estimate for cleaning to help you make an informed decision.
The tag on my rug says dry clean only – Is your rug cleaning method safe?
There are many factors to consider when professionally cleaning an Oriental rug. We inspect your rug carefully to determine what method is safe to use. Our area rug cleaning technicians are trained, experienced and certified to handle your investment properly.
Can you remove all the urine from my area rug?
Although we can remove all the urine contaminants and pet waste from the rug by cleaning it thoroughly, the stain may still be present. We also cannot guarantee your pet will not use your rug as indoor plumbing again in the future. Animals have much more sensitive olfactory receptors than humans and sometimes there can be a bit of “pet psychology” involved in the behavior.
What process do you use to clean area rugs?
We use a multi-step process that we have perfected to make sure we fit the cleaning method to the fibers, dyes and other specificities of your rug. Every single rug may not go through every single step exactly as we describe, due a number of factors like structural integrity of the rug, fiber content, and type of soiling. We would love to have you stop by our rug washing facility for a unique tour experience. Bring your rug with you and you’ll receive 20% off the wash price!
I had a potted plant sitting on my oriental rug and when I moved it, there was a black stain. Can you remove this stain?
Possibly. It really depends on the extent of the damage. The larger concern would be with the water and dampness from the leaky pot potentially causing the foundation of the rug to become brittle, causing dry rot in the foundation. Please give us a call so we can evaluate your rug.
What can I do if I have a flood or water damage on my area rug?
If the rug is not dried properly and completely, the cotton foundation may become weak and rot as a result. Mold and bacteria may also thrive in such a damp environment. It is best to have the area rug professionally cleaned and dried. Even fresh water leaks can cause issues in a rug. Ask your restoration company to send your rugs to Pettyjohn’s for complete cleaning and decontamination after your smoke or water loss event.
Do you just have one method of cleaning area rugs?
Every rug we clean gets a complete evaluation to determine the condition of the rug and the type of fiber and dyes used in its construction. We customize our specialty area rug cleaning process to fit each rug individually.
Will you bleach my fringe?
We do not bleach the fringe because chlorine-based bleaches damage the fiber by weakening it. However, we do have specialty non-chlorine products that we can use to make fringes whiter.
My oriental rug was in a fire. Can you remove soot and smoke odors?
We have been successful in removing soot and fire odor in most cases. However, we cannot guarantee that we can do it 100% of the time. Fiber content of rug, time frame between loss event and when we receive the rug, and pre-existing soiling can all play a part in how well the rug responds to the cleaning process.
Do you clean hooked rugs?
Yes. These are colorful yarn rugs hooked by hand with cotton or jute cloth backing.
Do you clean flokati rugs?
Yes. Flokati rugs are wonderfully thick, shaggy and fluffy traditional Greek wool rugs.
Do you clean tribal rugs?
Yes. Tribal rugs were made by tribal communities or villages, sharing common patterns, structures, designs, and dyes.
Do you clean Navajo rugs?
Yes. These durable flatwoven rugs and textiles are beautiful pieces of art created by the Navajo people. These rugs usually have no fringes and the dyes are often naturally made from vegetable or local plants.
Do you clean sisal rugs?
Yes. These are sturdy rugs, made from the rope-like fibers of the agave plant. These rugs are natural and environmentally friendly.
Do you clean silk rugs?
Yes. Silk rugs are lovely, tightly woven and elaborately detailed works of art.
Do you clean Edward Fields rugs?
Yes. Edward Fields is the manufacturer of luxurious tufted rugs.
Do you clean Karastan rugs?
Yes. Karastan is the manufacturer of beautiful, high-quality machine-made oriental design rugs. Karastan rugs are made right here in Eden, NC.
What is a fiber protector? How will it help my area rug?
Fiber ProTector retards soiling and helps prevent stains from becoming permanent. Our long-lasting protection is the Fiber ProTector America and it allows easier removal of almost any liquid from practically any soft material while maintaining the original appearance and extending the life of your rugs, carpets, or fabric. Not only is it harmless to humans, animals, and the environment, but it is also bacteriostatic, which biocidically prevents the development and spreading of bacteria. Additionally, our Fiber ProTector will significantly reduce static build-up and provide some ultra-violet sun-fade protection.
Do you clean animal skin rugs?
YES. Natural animal skins such as cowhide, zebra, warthogs, etc. respond beautifully to our natural rainwater cleaning. The hides will be soft and supple after cleaning.
