Traditional rug cleaning process with a carpet beater and cleaning powder.

Pet Urine Rug Cleaning in San Diego

Pet urine rug cleaning at Zeytounian Rugs treats the whole rug, not the surface stain you can see. Our family has washed rugs in San Diego since 1956, and three generations later that still means full-immersion work done by hand at our Kearny Mesa facility.

A single accident does more underneath than on top. Liquid runs through the pile, pools in the foundation, and dries into salts that hold odor and feed bacteria. On-site extraction lifts what sits near the surface. It cannot reach the crystals bonded to the base of the weave, which is why the smell returns on the next humid day. Full immersion dissolves those salts and flushes them out with all-natural soaps that stay gentle on wool, silk, and natural dyes.

  • ✓ Free pickup and delivery across San Diego County
  • ✓ Full immersion hand washing, never surface scrubbing
  • ✓ Third generation family craftsmen since 1956
  • ✓ Free written estimates before any work starts
Get a Free Rug Estimate
No obligation · free pickup & delivery countywide

Handwoven Persian rug in San Diego showcasing intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

San Diego Pet Odor Removal Specialists

Checked by Anthony and Alexander Zeytounian, third generation rug craftsmen · July 2026

The odor from a pet accident is not really a surface problem, so a surface treatment rarely ends it. Uric acid crystals bind to the foundation fibers and reactivate whenever the air turns damp, releasing that sharp ammonia smell again. Rug urine odor removal only holds when the salts themselves are gone. Because every rug we clean is fully submerged and washed front to back, the treatment reaches the base of the weave and neutralizes the source instead of covering it with fragrance.

Why Pet Urine Rug Cleaning Needs Full Immersion

Vacuuming and spot cleaning only reach the top of the pile. The heaviest concentration of urine sits lower, in the foundation knots and along the backing, where it hardens into deposits that trap odor and can corrode dyes and weaken the weave over time. Pulling those deposits out completely takes a full wash, not a damp pass with a machine.

With over seventy years of hands-on rug experience, we handle dog urine rug cleaning and cat accidents the same careful way. A natural, non-toxic pre-treatment breaks the salts down at a molecular level so they release cleanly in the wash and leave nothing behind to smell.

Get a Free Quote
Rug cleaning technician applying foam to a traditional Persian rug for deep cleaning.
Squeegee pushing foam across a blue rug patterned with fish

How Pet Urine Affects Different Rug Fibers

Urine does not behave the same way in every material. The fiber, the dyes, and the way a rug is built all change how deep an accident travels and how it has to be treated. We identify each of these before any water touches the rug.

We decontaminate every type of area rug and specialize in oriental and handmade pieces, including Persian, silk, viscose, Chinese, Kilim, Caucasian, Moroccan, Turkish, Navajo, Indian, Karastan, and machine-made rugs.

  • Free Estimates
  • Local Pickup & Delivery
  • Eco-Friendly

Persian Rugs

Hand-knotted wool and silk over a cotton foundation is exactly the kind of base urine loves to settle into, and the vegetable and synthetic dyes in Persian rugs can bleed if a decontamination soak is done carelessly. We test every Persian rug for colorfastness first, set water temperature and pH to match, then treat and wash so the salts flush out while the pile, foundation, and colors stay protected.

Oriental Rugs

Turkish, Chinese, Indian, Afghan, Pakistani, Moroccan, and Caucasian rugs each carry their own fiber, dye, and weave, and a flat-weave holds an accident very differently than a densely knotted pile rug. We identify origin and construction before treating any urine, because a thin tribal Kilim or Navajo flat-weave needs a lighter, more controlled soak than a heavy Bokhara or Beni Ourain that can absorb far more liquid.

Wool Rugs

Wool’s natural lanolin gives it some resistance, but urine that sits long enough saturates the base and can leave a permanent yellow cast and a smell that never fully airs out. Full immersion lifts the salts and restores the wool without shrinkage or matting. In-home steam cleaning tends to drive urine deeper and set the odor with heat, which is one more reason we decontaminate wool at our facility.

Silk Rugs

Silk is the least forgiving fiber when an accident happens. The fibers are very fine, the dyes are delicate, and an aggressive spot cleaner can leave a mark worse than the urine itself. We treat silk with gentle low-pH solutions and carefully controlled moisture, never heat or high pressure, so the odor is removed while the luster, drape, and fine detail survive intact.

Viscose, Bamboo Silk & Custom Designer Rugs

Urine hits viscose and bamboo silk harder than any other fiber. Both are cellulose, so they yellow the moment moisture reaches them, and plenty of custom designer pieces use them. These are the pieces most often ruined by a well-meaning blotting attempt at home. We use tightly controlled moisture and specialist technique to decontaminate them safely, and can often reverse the cellulosic browning an accident has already caused.

Synthetic & Machine Made Rugs

Polypropylene, nylon, and polyester resist staining better than natural fibers, but urine still passes straight through to the backing and pad, where the odor lives on long after the surface looks clean. Our full soak reaches that backing and flushes the odor out from underneath, leaving the pile refreshed and the backing unharmed. Even an inexpensive machine-made rug comes back genuinely odor-free from a facility wash in a way an in-home clean cannot match.

Watch Our Wash Process

Before & After Rug Cleaning

Antique Persian rug with intricate floral patterns and signs of wear.

Hand knotted rug in soft beige and rose with a central star medallion

Medallion rug with a grey soiled cast laid out flat

Clean ivory medallion rug with apricot accents and white fringe laid out flat

Our Full Immersion Urine Decontamination Process

Urine removal is layered on top of our full nine step immersion wash process, so the steps below are the ones that make decontamination different. Between the soak and the drying, your rug still receives the complete hand washing, rinsing, and finishing described on our washing page.

1. Pre-Inspection

Every rug starts with an inspection. We locate the urine-affected areas, many of which are invisible on the surface, note the fiber, dyes, and any pre-existing damage or color runs, then measure the rug and give you a free estimate. Finding the full extent of the contamination early is what lets us treat every affected area, including the spots that never show on the surface.

2. Deep Dry Soil Removal From Area Rugs

Before any water, the rug is dusted with a vibration process that shakes dry soil and crystallized urine debris out of the foundation. Dried salts break loose far more easily while they are still dry, so removing them first makes the decontamination that follows much more effective.

3. Full Urine Decontamination Soak

This is the heart of the service. The rug is soaked in a natural, non-toxic solution that breaks urine salts down at a molecular level so they can be flushed out with no residue. Because the whole rug is submerged, the treatment reaches the crystals locked in the foundation that surface extraction can never touch. Heavier contamination simply gets a longer, more thorough soak.

4. Controlled Area Rug Drying

Excess water and any last dissolved salts are spun out in a professional rug centrifuge, which removes up to ninety percent of the moisture from deep in the foundation, something air drying alone cannot do. The spin also flushes the rug one final time.

The rug then dries on racks in a monitored space with proper airflow and humidity control so it dries level from edge to edge. Even drying on a urine-treated rug heads off shrinkage, browning, and dye movement, and it never gives a mildew smell the chance to start.

5. Final Area Rug Inspection & Delivery (or Pickup)

We check that the odor is gone, every treated area is clean, and nothing remains in the fibers. Once the rug passes that final check, it gets a last vacuum and is rolled for the trip home. We deliver it back to your door anywhere in San Diego County at no charge, or hold it at the shop if you dropped it off.

Authentic handmade rugs with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Testimonials from Our Clients

All Testimonials

Excellent
5.0
Greg Goorjian
2 days ago
The family heirloom passed down from my grandfather. Prayer rug size, losing threads, and quite filthy.. After restoration and washing at their own shop. A Full emersion process in their shop. The rug came back with 100% satisfaction. Family owned and operated by Armenians.. They know a thing or two about a thing or two. Highly recommend Zeytounian Rugs!
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner:Greg, thank you. We don't take it lightly when someone hands us a rug that's been in the family that long. Glad we could get your grandfather's back to you the right way. Thanks, Greg. The Zeytounian family
Pam Raney
4 days ago
Great service (even my dogs had fun in the treat and toy-filled office! Will come back for the next clean, for sure!
Response from the owner:Pam, this made our whole day. The treat basket is genuinely one of the best decisions we've made around here, and your two were great company. See you at the next clean, and thanks for the kind words.
Liberty&Justice67
5 days ago
Great service! Rug is very clean. The owner is very courteous. Timely service. Low price for the service standard. Recommend without hesitation.
Response from the owner:Dan, thanks for trusting us with your rug and for the great review!
Katy Motiey
6 days ago
This is an exceptional business run by 2 brothers… professional and high quality work. Thank you for taking care of our family Persian carpets!
Response from the owner:katy, thanks for the review and letting us take care of your rugs!
Bj Alfstad
6 days ago
Response from the owner:Thanks for the five stars, Bj. Really appreciate you taking the time.
Liz Sisco
1 week ago
Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair did a fantastic job cleaning 10 of my Persian rugs. Alexander and Anthony are friendly, professional and passionate about caring for rugs. Pick up and delivery was seamless and the rugs came back looking NEW! I highly recommend Zeytounian Rugs for all your rug cleaning and repair needs.
Response from the owner:Thanks so much for the great review Liz! It was a pleasure washing your beautiful persian and oriental rugs!
Susan Penman
2 weeks ago
My pup unfortunately had a vomiting accident on our 6 month old handmade silk Turkish rug and I jumped online and saw the incredible reviews from all of your customers and was so impressed I called immediately screaming HELP! We met the next day and your calmness and confidence gave us exactly what we needed to know that we found the best team to care for our very special piece of art! Thank you all for saving us! I 1000% recommend you trust this family with your heirlooms as well any other rugs you need assistance with, additionally the team recommended we have a sleeve sewn on the back and hang our beautiful piece of art, best decision ever! Feel free to call us at any time for a live reference!
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner:Susan, thank you so much for this amazing review. We're honored you trusted us with such a special handmade silk rug. We know how overwhelming those moments can be, so it means a lot to hear that we were able to give you peace of mind. Seeing your rug restored and now proudly displayed on the wall made the whole experience even more rewarding for us. Thank you again for your trust, your kind words, and your recommendation. It was a pleasure helping you, and we hope you enjoy your beautiful rug for many years to come!
Babra Rosenberg
2 weeks ago
This is the most amazing company. They do a fabulous job. They made my old beat up. Rug. Look like brand new. They are Reasonably priced andso nice to work with. I would definitely recommend them.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Babra! We’re thrilled to hear you’re happy with your rug cleaning and our service. It means a lot to us that you’d recommend Zeytounian Rugs. We look forward to helping you again in the future!
Anna Ancona
2 weeks ago
They were very professional and great at communicating. They cleaned my Moroccan rug in a week. Loved supporting this family owned business!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Anna, for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you loved our service and are grateful for your support of our family-owned business. It was a pleasure caring for your Moroccan rug! – The Zeytounian Rugs Team
River Amin
3 weeks ago
We got our Persian rug professionally cleaned for the first time after nearly 20 years. It moved with us across the country several times and survived our college years and our first child’s baby/toddler years. Zeytounian Rugs did an incredible job! The colors are so bright and the rug is so soft. They hand-repaired the worn edges and the tassels are stark white. I’m truly impressed by the quality of their work. 10/10, would definitely recommend!
Response from the owner:Wow River seriously thank you so much! It’s one of the main reasons we love doing what we do. To bring these family pieces back to life and keep their stories going from generation to generation! Good luck on the new chapter in Chicago and best wishes!
Louis Cappella
3 weeks ago
I highly recommend Zeytounian rugs. They cleaned Afghan and Tibetan (2) rugs that I’d stored for over a year and which hadn’t been cleaned in many years. They found moths and treated them beautifully, restoring their lustre. Friendly, convenient by appointment service at a good price!
Response from the owner:Louis, thanks so much for trusting us with your beautiful handmade rugs and for the great review!
kristine Villa
3 weeks ago
Zeytounian did an amazing job on our area rug. It looked just as it did when we first bought it. Customer service 10 out of 10. I highly recommend them.
Response from the owner:Thanks so much Kristine! Glad we could bring your rug back to its original beauty!
Kelly Greene
3 weeks ago
Great communication and service!
Response from the owner:Kelly, thanks so much for the business and for the 5⭐️!
John Flournoy
3 weeks ago
They gave me a reasonable estimate for a wool rug. It was almost not worth it, seeing as I got it originally off Article, but better to not waste, right? They cleaned it then held it for me for a month while the room it was in was renovated (your mileage may vary). There was a damaged corner (dogs!!) that was too expensive to fully repair so the good fellow there sewed it up to at least protect it from unraveling. All the above and they are SO NICE. Also explained some differences to me between different rug weaves. They are ALL IN on rugs. Amazing stuff.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, John! We really appreciate the kind words and are glad we could help save your rug. Even when a full repair isn’t practical, we always want to help preserve it as best we can. It was great meeting you and talking rugs and thanks again for trusting us with it!
Cheri Attix
4 weeks ago
Response from the owner:Appreciate the rating, Cheri. It was a pleasure working with you.
Nancy Wissing
4 weeks ago
Great response, great customer service and our rug looks like new!
Response from the owner:Nancy, thanks for the review!
Peter Sorvas
1 month ago
Fantastic Job! We have a 8’ diameter circular asian rug that ’s 40 years old. It was dirty and the fringe was torn off from vacuuming. We took it to Zeytourian Rugs for cleaning & restoration. They did a fantastic job bringing the vibrant colors back to life. They replaced the white fringe and the rug looks brand new. Wouldn’t take it anywhere else.
Response from the owner:Hi Peter, thank you for trusting Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair with your 40-year-old circular Chinese rug. Restoring those vibrant colors and performing the professional fringe repair is exactly what we love doing. If you are looking for top-tier rug cleaning in San Diego, we are always here to help. We appreciate you choosing our expert team for your restoration needs!
Lily Robinson
1 month ago
Amazing customer service and absolutely a pleasure to do business with these gentlemen ❤️
Response from the owner:Hi Lily, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! We truly enjoyed working with you and are thrilled that you had such a positive experience with our team. Providing professional, high-quality rug care is our top priority at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair, and we just have to say, your puppy looks absolutely adorable on the rug! We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to assisting you again in the future.
Peggy Petersen
1 month ago
The company provided both pick-up and delivery which was a big help to me. The rugs really needed cleaning because it had been some time since they were last cleaned. I was amazed when they brought the living room rug back because it was beautiful. The colors were beautiful. The rug looked brand new so I was absolutely thrilled with the service. They also wrapped the other rug to get it ready for shipment to a different house. I will definitely use this company again whenever I need some of my rugs cleaned.
Response from the owner:Hi Peggy, thank you for the wonderful review! We are so pleased we could assist you with the pick-up and delivery of your rugs, and it was our pleasure to get them looking brand new again. We take great pride in our professional rug cleaning and preparation services here at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair, especially when it comes to getting rugs ready for shipment. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to helping you with your rug care needs in the future!
Gail Eyler
2 months ago
Super knowledgeable and experts in carpet cleaning. My silk rugs look new! They are a pleasure to do business with- very nice and great communicators. They are very professional, really care and are passionate about what they do.I highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Hi Gail, thank you so much for the kind words! We are thrilled to hear that your silk rugs look brand new and that you enjoyed working with our team. Providing professional, high-quality care is what we are most passionate about at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to assisting you again!
Grace Kording
2 months ago
Our wool rug was washed to perfection! It was full of dirt and sand when we dropped it off, and is good as new now. Very easy to communicate with the business as well. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Hi Grace, thank you for the wonderful review! We are so glad we could get your wool rug looking brand new again after removing all that dirt and sand. We take pride in our deep-cleaning process here at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair, and we are happy to hear that our communication made the experience easy for you. We look forward to working with you again!
Alexis Martin
2 months ago
This is, without question, the best service we have ever received from any company. I have trusted this family business with cleaning and repairing my area rugs for over 30 years, dating back to when the father first ran the company. Now that his sons have taken over the business, they have elevated an already outstanding operation to an entirely new level. Not only do they do an exceptional job cleaning, treating, and restoring rugs, but they also take extraordinary care during pickup and delivery. Furniture and décor are carefully moved and replaced, ensuring that everything is protected and returned exactly as it was. Watching these young men grow into kind, professional, and hardworking business owners has been truly special. I remember them as little boys, and now they are proudly carrying on their father’s legacy with integrity, dedication, and remarkable attention to detail. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.
Response from the owner:Hi Alexis, thank you so much for such an incredibly touching review. It has been an absolute honor to serve your family for over 30 years, and we are deeply humbled to hear that you have watched us grow from little boys into the business owners we are today. Carrying on our father’s legacy with integrity and dedication is our greatest pride, and we are so grateful for your long-standing trust and support. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our story at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair; we look forward to continuing to provide you with the exceptional service you deserve!
Torch
2 months ago
I had an incredible experience here. Anthony and Alex are so kind and knowledgeable, and were great with answering all my questions. They brought my beloved rug back to life and taught me about how they do the cleaning and repair process. I never thought that some of the stains on my rug would come out but they worked their magic and it is back to its original beauty! This is the only place I will be going for any of my future rug needs. Thanks again!
Response from the owner:Hi Torch, thank you so much for the incredible review! It was truly our pleasure to work with you and help restore your beloved rug. We are so glad you enjoyed learning about our cleaning and repair process—educating our clients is one of the things we love most about what we do here at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair. We appreciate your kind words about Anthony and Alex and look forward to assisting you again in the future!
Alejandra Tano
2 months ago
They are so knowledgeable and provide excellent service. The first time the brothers came out I had lots of questions about the many rugs I inherited and they were patient and kind when answering them. We trust them completely with our antique handmade rugs, for cleaning and repairs, both of which we have had done on multiple rugs. I'm extremely satisfied with every single service they have provided, and their pricing is very fair. We are repeat customers and will continue to be as long as we have rugs. I'm so thankful we found them!
Response from the owner:Hi Alejandra, thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are honored to have earned your complete trust with your inherited antique handmade rugs. It has been a pleasure answering your questions and assisting you with all your cleaning and repair needs over the years. We truly value our repeat customers and are so glad you found us at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair—we look forward to continuing to provide you with excellent service!
Bruce Will
2 months ago
I got my rug back today. It looks fantastic! The brothers are very courteous and they made the whole procedure very easy for me.
Response from the owner:Thank you Bruce for the great review! Also thanks for trusting us with your oriental rug.

Pet Urine Rug Cleaning Questions

Sprays and rented machines only reach the top of the pile. The uric acid crystals bonded to the foundation stay put, and they wake up again whenever the air turns damp. Until those salts are dissolved and flushed out, the odor keeps returning.

Yes, in most cases. An older accident means more crystallized salts in the foundation, so the rug simply gets a longer decontamination soak. Because the whole rug is submerged, the treatment keeps working until the salts release.

We test every rug for colorfastness before it touches water. The soak itself uses natural, non-toxic solutions that stay gentle on wool, silk, and natural dyes. If a dye shows any sign of running, we switch to a gentler alternate method.

That is what the pre-inspection is for. We examine the whole rug before washing and locate every urine-affected area, including contamination that never shows on the surface. Treating all of it is what keeps the odor from coming back.

Yes. Pickup and delivery are free across San Diego County, or you can drop your rug off at our Kearny Mesa facility and collect it once the wash is done.

Related Rug Cleaning Services

Rug Cleaning and Washing · Area Rug Cleaning · Water Damage Restoration · Rug Pickup and Delivery · Request a free estimate

Expert rug cleaning and repair services in San Diego, CA.

Contact Us for Professional Rug Cleaning

★★★★★ 5.0 · 424 Google Reviews

Drop your rug off, or we pick it up free. Our shop is at 7343 Ronson Rd Ste U in Kearny Mesa, open Monday to Friday 9 to 4 and Saturday 9 to 2.

Get Driving Directions to Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair