Get a Quote

Service

Oriental Rug Cleaning in New York

Hand-knotted Oriental rugs need dye testing, gentle washing and careful drying. Here is what a proper job involves.

Get Free QuotesEstimate Typical Cost
  • Why hand-knotted rugs are handled differently
  • Dye testing and colour risk
  • Typical prices by size
  • Questions before handover
Hand-knotted Oriental rug with a red and navy medallion

How Oriental Rugs Are Cleaned

What a proper job involves, in order.

At a cleaning plant

  1. Step 1

    Identification

    Weave, foundation and fiber are checked, because a hand-knotted rug is washed differently from a machine-made one.

  2. Step 2

    Dye testing

    Colours are tested for bleeding before any full wash. Unstable dyes change the method or rule out immersion.

  3. Step 3

    Dusting

    Dry soil is removed from the foundation first, which is where most of the weight of dirt sits.

  4. Step 4

    Gentle washing

    Mild chemistry and soft brushing along the pile, usually by hand rather than machine.

  5. Step 5

    Controlled drying

    Fast, managed drying limits the time dyes can migrate.

  6. Step 6

    Fringe and finish

    Fringes are cleaned separately, pile direction is groomed, and the rug is inspected before wrapping.

Transparent pricing

What Oriental Rug Cleaning Costs

ItemTypical range
Hand-knotted, Manhattan$6–$9 per sq ft
Hand-knotted, other boroughs$5–$8 per sq ft
Moth treatment$20–$50 per rug
Fringe workBinding or serging $3–$10 per linear foot

A 9×12 hand-knotted rug is 108 sq ft, so roughly $540–$864 outside Manhattan. Typical pickup minimum: $150–$250. Ask whether pickup and delivery are included.

Open the cost calculator

What Affects the Price

  1. Knot density and whether the rug is hand-knotted
  2. Dye stability, which decides the washing method
  3. Age and wear along edges and fringes
  4. Pet urine, which needs separate treatment
  5. Repairs found during inspection

Ask Before You Book

  • Do you test dyes before washing?
  • Is the rug washed by hand or by machine?
  • How is the fringe cleaned and finished?
  • What happens if you find damage after pickup?

Ask every company to price the same scope in writing, then compare the all-in totals.

Find Companies for This Service

Compare companies serving your borough, then request written quotes.

Get Free QuotesAll Companies

Often booked in the same visit, or worth reading before you decide.

All Services

Oriental Rug Cleaning — FAQs

Will the colours run?

That is exactly what dye testing is for. A cleaner who tests first, and who declines a rug that fails the test, is protecting your rug rather than losing your business.

How often should an Oriental rug be cleaned?

Every 3–5 years in ordinary use, or every 1–2 years with pets, children or heavy traffic.

Is machine washing safe for a hand-knotted rug?

Hand-knotted rugs are usually washed by hand on a wash floor. Ask which method will be used and why, and how the rug will be dried afterwards.