Rug washing
From everyday machine-made rugs to hand-knotted heirlooms, every rug is washed on its own in our rug studio — never tumbled, never rushed, never cleaned with harsh chemicals.
Rugs we wash
Rug construction decides how it should be washed. A hand-knotted wool rug, a tufted rug with a glued backing and a viscose rug each need a completely different approach.
Natural dyes and wool foundations washed by immersion, with careful dye testing first.
Thin, reversible weaves washed flat to keep them square and stop edges curling.
Minimal-moisture cleaning and controlled drying to protect sheen and prevent yellowing.
Gentle washing that protects the latex backing and the cloth cover underneath.
Deep dusting and thorough rinsing to free trapped soil from long fibres.
Low-moisture methods that avoid water rings and shrinkage on plant fibres.
The wash, step by step
01
We photograph the rug, measure it and note wear, moth damage, stains and loose fringes.
02
Vibration dusting from the back releases the dry soil that hides deep in the knots.
03
Every colour is tested for stability so we know how the rug will react to water.
04
Stains and odours are treated with products chosen for the fibre and the dye.
05
The rug is washed flat by hand with a pH-neutral, wool-safe shampoo.
06
Clean water flushes the foundation until the run-off is clear.
07
The rug dries flat or hung in moving air, never left damp.
08
Pile is brushed in its natural direction and fringes are combed straight.
09
Rolled pile-in, wrapped and returned ready to lay down.
Repairs & extras
Rugs rarely fail all at once. A loose fringe catches on a vacuum, a binding frays at one corner, moths graze a patch under the sofa. Caught early, these are quick and affordable to fix. Left alone, they spread.
While your rug is in the studio we will point out anything that needs attention and quote for it separately — no repair is done without your approval.
Collection & return
Choose a date. We roll and wrap your rug at your door and give you a receipt with its photos.
Your rug is washed on its own and dried under control — usually five to seven working days.
We bring it back, unroll it where you want it and fit any new anti-slip underlay.
Rug washing FAQ
Not sure what kind of rug you have? Send us a photo of the front and back — that tells us most of what we need.
Light refresh cleaning can be done on site, but a full wash needs the studio. Rugs collect soil throughout the foundation, and only immersion washing with proper drying removes it safely.
We test every colour before washing. If a dye is unstable we adjust the method or recommend a dry-clean approach. Colour-run problems almost always come from skipping this step.
Most rugs are returned within five to seven working days. Large, delicate or heavily soiled rugs, and any requiring repairs, may take longer — we’ll tell you in advance.
In most cases, yes. Urine salts are flushed from the foundation during washing and treated with enzymes. Very old or repeated contamination may leave some permanent colour change.
Yes. Our studio wash floor handles large room-size rugs. Tell us the dimensions when booking so we can plan collection.
