Rug cleaning - Marin, SF & Bay Area
Oriental & Persian rug cleaning, done by hand.
Aside from being beautiful, your Oriental rug is one of the largest filters in your home. Experience the difference real hand washing makes - expert cleaning for antique and handmade Persian and Oriental rugs, serving Marin County, San Anselmo, San Rafael, San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area for over forty years.
Detailer, not a drive-thru
The difference is in the process.
Compare having your car detailed versus a ten-minute gas-station wash. A detailer carefully removes dust from every vent and crevice, deep-cleans, and finishes with care. You will never see an enthusiast run a Maserati through a harsh automatic wash - the soaps and brushes do long-term damage. Fine rugs deserve the same respect.
It begins dry: embedded dust and grit need to come out before any water touches the piece. That pre-wash dusting is critical, and routinely skipped by volume cleaners.
Our process
How we wash a rug.
Pre-wash dusting
Dry removal of embedded grit and debris - the single most important and most-skipped step.
pH-correct washing
Hand washing with attention to soap pH and to fugitive dyes, which we identify and have a successful process to manage.
Neutralize & condition
Thorough rinsing and neutralizing of soap residue, followed by conditioning to protect the wool.
Proper drying
Controlled, careful drying - never rushed - to protect structure and color.
We do it ourselves
Your rug is never farmed out to a third party. The people who value rugs are the people who wash them.
We can value it
Because we identify and appraise rugs daily, we recognize what we are cleaning - and flag any conservation needed.
Between cleanings
Simple care that protects value.
- Vacuum only as needed, in the smooth direction of the pile. (Feel the surface, the smooth direction points to where the weaver began.)
- Rotate annually or semi-annually for balanced wear.
- Clean high-traffic and entry rugs about once a year; larger room-sized carpets every three to five years, depending on use.
Restoration is best done after washing, so the restorer matches clean wool to a clean piece.
Before you hand over your rug
Questions to ask any rug cleaner.
- Do they do the work themselves, or farm it out to another company?
- Does their insurance cover the value of the pieces you are bringing them?
- What is the pH of the soap used - and is the rug run through a machine?
- Is there pre- and post-wash dusting, and how is it done?
- What are the finishing steps - neutralizing the soap, conditioning, and how the piece is dried?
- Can they identify the presence of fugitive dyes and successfully clean pieces that have them?
- Can they identify and value the pieces they are cleaning?
What pre-wash dusting reveals
The soil you cannot see still matters.
Fine handmade rugs hold dust deep in the foundation. If that grit is left in place, it behaves like sandpaper inside the rug and wears the wool from within.
That is why our cleaning process starts with dry dusting and inspection before washing, rinsing, conditioning, and drying. The goal is not just to make the surface look brighter; it is to protect the rug structurally.
What to send us
Get a rug-cleaning quote
Tell us the rug's size, material if you know it, and any spots, odors, or pet issues. We'll advise on cleaning, timing, and any conservation that should follow.
Start an estimate, send photosEmail or text 2–3 photos (the full front, the back, and any worn or damaged areas) to begin. A photo-upload form is coming with the new booking system.
Questions
Good to know
What areas do you serve for rug cleaning?
Our gallery is in San Anselmo, and we clean rugs for clients throughout Marin County, San Francisco, San Rafael, and the greater Bay Area. Bring your rug to the studio, or call to discuss drop-off and pickup for larger pieces.
How often should I wash my rug?
High-traffic and entry rugs benefit from a yearly wash; larger room-sized carpets every three to five years, depending on use. Older or damaged pieces may need a gentler schedule.
What are fugitive dyes, and why do they matter?
Fugitive dyes can run during cleaning and ruin a rug if handled carelessly. We identify them in advance and have a proven process for washing pieces that have them.
Do you clean the rug yourself?
Yes - never farmed out. The same people who buy, value, and restore rugs are the ones who wash them.
Inquire
Speak with a specialist about a rug or project.
Tell us the piece, the room, the size you need, or the project timeline. We respond personally with price, condition notes, additional photos, video, and shipping or in-home approval details - no pressure, no automated funnel.
Carpets of the Inner Circle
15 Ross Ave, San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 398-2988 · Open daily 11–5