Frequently Asked Questions

Area Rug Cleaning

How much is the cost of area rug cleaning?

Oriental and specialty rugs are all unique and different. Please call 919-289-8424 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 picked 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 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 furniture pieces to safely retrieve your rug; however, some particularly heavy pieces, such as pool tables and pianos need to be moved prior to our arrival. We also request you remove all small breakable items from the tops of all furniture that will need to be moved. Our furniture moving charges are $50 at pick up and $75 at delivery/reinstallation.

 

General Cleaning Questions

Can you store my area rug after it’s cleaned? 

Yes. We can store your rug for up to 30 days free of charge. After 30 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.

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. There is a small fee for re-installation of the rug and moving of furniture. We would appreciate you being at home to instruct us where you would like the furniture placed. The reinstallation fee is $75.

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.

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. 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 rug for sale. Check-in with the office to see what’s currently available.

Do you sell rug pads?

Yes. We do sell rug pads that we can customize to fit your area rug. We offer two types of padding to fit the needs of your rug and use conditions.

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.

 

Professional Area Rug Cleaning Questions

How often should I clean my area rug? 

The time frame for cleaning a rug depends on how much traffic it gets. 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.

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. 

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.

Do you guarantee stain removal? 

If a stain has not affected the fibers permanently, we have a much higher chance of removing it. 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 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 and pet waste from the rug by cleaning it thoroughly, the stain may still be present.

What process do you use to clean area rugs?

We use a ten-step process that we have perfected to make sure we fit the cleaning method to the fibers, dyes and other specificities of your rug. 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. Another concern would be with the water and dampness from the leaky pot potentially causing the foundation of the rug to become brittle. 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.

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.

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 prevents 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 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.

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