Full immersion wash for hand-knotted oriental rugs. The cleaning method we have used since 1881.
Hand-knotted rugs are built like sponges. They hold dirt deep in their foundation — beneath the visible pile — and that dirt cannot be lifted by surface methods. Steam cleaning, dry powders, and consumer carpet shampoos all leave residue behind. A full immersion bath is the only method that truly rinses a rug.
After intake and inspection, the rug is mechanically dusted to remove embedded soil. Stains are pre-treated by hand. The rug is then submerged in a fiber-safe bath, gently worked, and fully rinsed until the water runs clear. Controlled drying follows — flat, in a humidity-managed room.
Most rugs benefit from a professional wash every 3 to 5 years, depending on traffic, pets, and household conditions. Rugs that look fine on the surface often hold years of accumulated dirt below — a wash is the only way to know.