NorthbrookHeadquarters
2970 Maria Ave, Ste 229-C, Northbrook, IL 60062
North Shore: Glenview, Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park & Deerfield.
Specialty Rug Care
Hand-Washed Area Rug Cleaning in Chicago & Suburbs
Fine wool, silk, and antique rugs are far too delicate for an in-home steam wand. We hand-wash them the traditional way — gentle, full-immersion cleaning that lifts deep-down dirt while protecting the fibers, natural dyes, and fringe. Free pickup and delivery means your rug comes back soft, bright, and fresh.
- Color & Dye Safe
- Gentle Hand-Wash
- Free Pickup & Delivery
Request a Rug Cleaning Quote
Tell us about your rugs and we'll send a free, no-obligation estimate.
4.9★ Average
295+ Google reviews
15+ Years
Serving Chicagoland
Eco-Friendly
Pet & kid safe
100% Satisfaction
Guaranteed results
Free Pickup
& delivery included
The Hand-Wash Difference
Why fine rugs need hand-washing
A quality area rug is built from natural fibers — wool, silk, cotton — often colored with sensitive dyes and tied onto a cotton or wool foundation. Cleaning one like wall-to-wall carpet, with an aggressive in-home steam wand, risks dye bleed, stiff fibers, and a foundation that never fully dries.
Hand-washing is the method rug makers themselves recommend. We bring the rug back to our facility where it can be thoroughly dusted, gently submerged and washed by hand, rinsed clean, and dried slowly under controlled conditions — the only way to safely remove deep soil, odor, and years of grit without harming the rug.
It is the specialist side of our area rug cleaning service, reserved for rugs that deserve the extra care.
Common Issues
Rug problems hand-washing solves
Deep, immersive washing reaches problems that surface cleaning simply cannot. Here is what we treat most often.
Embedded grit & soil
Rugs hold pounds of dry, abrasive dirt deep in the pile. We dust it out first, then wash — so the fibers actually come clean and stop wearing down.
Pet urine & odor
Urine soaks into the foundation, not just the surface. Full submersion flushes the salts and bacteria out, neutralizing odor at the source.
Dull, faded colors
A film of fine soil greys out a rug over time. A proper wash and clear rinse lifts that haze and revives the original, vivid colors.
Yellowed, dirty fringe
Fringe is cotton and shows every bit of grime. We hand-detail and brighten it so the edges look as clean as the rug itself.
Wool, silk, or antique rug that needs a gentle, proper wash? Talk to a rug specialist today.
Our Method
Our gentle hand-washing process
Every rug moves through the same careful, time-tested steps — nothing rushed, nothing harsh.
- 01
Inspection & dye test
We identify the fiber and construction, note any wear, stains, or pet damage, and test every color for colorfastness before any water touches the rug.
- 02
Dry dusting
We gently vibrate and beat out the dry, gritty soil packed deep in the foundation — often pounds of it — before any washing begins.
- 03
Color-safe pre-treatment
Spots, traffic areas, and any pet stains get a targeted, pH-balanced pre-treatment matched to the rug's fiber and dyes.
- 04
Gentle hand-washing
The rug is submerged and washed by hand with soft brushes and mild, eco-friendly solution, working the suds gently through the entire pile.
- 05
Clear rinse & extraction
We flush the rug with clean water until it runs clear, removing all soil and residue, then carefully extract the excess moisture.
- 06
Controlled drying & finish
The rug dries flat in a temperature-controlled room, then we groom the pile, detail the fringe, and inspect it before delivery.
Transparent Pricing
Hand-washed rug cleaning cost
Rug cleaning is priced by size (per square foot) and by material, since wool, silk, and antique rugs each need different handling. Free pickup and delivery is always included, and your exact price is confirmed after inspection.
Starting rates
- Synthetic & machine-made rugsfrom $3 / sq ft
- Wool & natural-fiber rugsfrom $5 / sq ft
- Silk, antique & heirloomcustom quote
- Pet urine & odor treatmentadd-on
- Pickup & deliveryFree
Starting rates only — final pricing is confirmed after inspection, before any work begins.
Get your exact price
For an instant, no-pressure estimate on your specific rugs, use our online calculator or request a quote and we will confirm everything up front — including pickup.
Cleaning a synthetic or machine-made rug? See our main area rug cleaning page.
Care Tips
Keep your rug beautiful longer
A few simple habits protect that fresh-washed look between professional cleanings.
Use a quality rug pad. A pad cushions the rug, stops slipping, and reduces the abrasion that wears down knots and backing.
Rotate it once or twice a year. Rotating evens out foot traffic and sun exposure so the rug fades and wears uniformly.
Vacuum gently — skip the fringe. Use suction without a beater bar, and never run the vacuum over the fringe. Flip the rug and vacuum the back occasionally too.
Blot spills right away. Press with a clean cloth — never rub or scrub. For set-in spots or pet accidents, see our stain removal and pet odor services.
Give your rug the gentle wash it deserves
Book hand-washed rug cleaning with free pickup, or explore our full area rug cleaning service for every rug in your home.
Local & Nearby
Our offices & the areas we serve
We pick up and deliver rugs across Chicagoland from five offices, so a rug specialist is never far away. Swipe to browse locations.
4747 W Peterson Ave, Ste 407C, Chicago, IL 60646
City & near north: Lincoln Square, Edgewater, Jefferson Park, Portage Park & Evanston.
127 E Lake St, Ste 203-C, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
DuPage: Roselle, Schaumburg, Carol Stream, Addison & Bartlett.
223 Burlington Ave, Ste 2C, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
Western suburbs: Hinsdale, Westmont, Oak Brook, Burr Ridge & Darien.
118 Barrington Commons Ct, Ste 222-C, Barrington, IL 60010
NW suburbs: Lake Zurich, Palatine, Inverness, Deer Park & Hawthorn Woods.
Don't see your neighborhood? We bring free rug pickup & delivery to 100+ Chicagoland communities. View all service areas
FAQ
Hand-washed rug cleaning questions
The things customers ask us most about washing fine area rugs.
Keep Exploring
Other services you may need
Hand-washed rug cleaning is part of our full area rug cleaning service. It pairs well with the rest of the home, too.
Carpet Cleaning
Hot-water extraction that lifts deep soil and revives wall-to-wall carpet in every room.
Learn moreUpholstery Cleaning
On-site sofa and sectional cleaning matched to your fabric's care code.
Learn morePet Stain & Odor
Enzyme treatment that removes pet odor at the source, deep in the fibers and pad.
Learn moreWe pick up and clean rugs across Chicago and the suburbs — browse all service areas or call (847) 994-1171.