Hand repairing a colorful traditional rug with needle and thread.

Persian Rug Repair in San Diego

Persian rug repair at Zeytounian Rugs is done by hand on our own bench in San Diego. We secure worn ends with chain stitching, rebuild selvage and binding in wool, and reweave lost areas to match the original knot count, color, and pile direction. Free written estimate first.

  • ✓ 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 · pickup & delivery countywide

The facts, in brief

Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair is a family-owned rug cleaning and repair company founded in 1956.

Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair cleans and restores Oriental, Persian, Turkish, wool, and silk rugs in San Diego, California.

Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair washes every rug by hand at its Kearny Mesa storefront at 7343 Ronson Road, Suite U.

Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair is run by the third generation of the Zeytounian family, brothers Alexander and Anthony.

Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair cleans rugs through a nine-step full-immersion wash rather than surface steam cleaning.


Persian Rug Repair in San Diego, Knot by Knot Since 1956

Persian rug repair calls for a weaver, not a seamstress, and that hand skill is the work Zeytounian Rugs was built on. Nicholas Zeytounian set up his bench in San Diego in 1956, and today Anthony and Alexander Zeytounian carry it on as the third generation of the family trained in this work. A Persian rug is tied one knot at a time onto a warp and weft foundation, so a repair that lasts has to be built the same way: new knots set into the weave, not glue, tape, or a line of machine stitching laid over the top.

Damage on a hand-knotted rug almost always traces back to the structure. A worn field thins until the foundation shows through. Moths open a hole down to the warp. The selvage splits and the sides start to unravel. A hard crease along an old fold snaps warp threads and leaves a weak line across the rug. Each of these is a different repair, and each one has to respect how a Persian rug is put together.

Reading the Weave First

Before we touch a rug we read it. We look at the weave to place its style, whether it carries the fine density of a Tabriz or Kashan, the curved detail of an Isfahan, or the bolder geometry of a Heriz. We check the knot count, whether the pile is wool or silk, and whether the dyes are stable. That reading tells us how to rebuild the damaged area so it matches the original hand rather than fighting it.

We also see a lot of rugs that were repaired badly somewhere else, overstitched by machine, patched with the wrong yarn, or glued along a tear. Corrected honestly, most of those can be reopened and rewoven properly. Pickup and delivery are available anywhere in San Diego County, and so is the estimate. For non Persian pieces and general work, our full rug repair services in San Diego cover the same bench.

Hands knotting new fringe onto the edge of a red and blue rug

Reweaving That Matches the Original

The heart of Persian rug restoration is reweaving, and it is where the difference between a weaver and a repair shop shows. We rebuild the missing foundation first, then tie new knots into the gap using the same knot type the rug was made with, at the same density, so the count per inch matches the field around it. The new wool or silk is chosen to sit level and follow the original pile direction.

Matching color is its own craft. The wool and silk in an old Persian rug were hand dyed, so a single shade of red or indigo shifts across the piece as it ages. We match to the tones in the rug as it is now, not to a fresh skein, so a rewoven area reads as part of the weave instead of a bright patch.

  • Reweaving holes and worn spots knot by knot to the original density
  • Matching hand-dyed wool and silk to the aged tones in the rug
  • Rebuilding broken foundation, warp, and weft
  • Repairing split selvage and worn edge binding by hand
  • Resetting fringe and locking unraveling ends
  • Correcting old machine or glue repairs done by others

Contact us for a Free Estimate!

Contact Us

Before & After Persian Rug Repair

Persian Rug Repair Services

Frayed fringe and woven signature panel on the edge of a blue and cream rug
Handwoven traditional rug with intricate patterns and fringes.
Short worn fringe on the edge of a beige floral rug before replacement
New white fringe sewn onto a beige floral rug on the workbench
Before and after of a corner repair on a red rug with a woven calligraphy border

Fringe & Ends

The end of the rug is the end of the warp.

On a Persian rug the fringe is not decoration, it is the exposed tail of the warp threads that run the full length of the piece. When the fringe wears away, the knots at the end have nothing to hold them and the rug starts giving up rows, shrinking a little at a time from the edge in. We stop that loss with chain stitching, a hand technique that locks the last sound row of knots and holds the foundation steady. From there we can rebuild the worn fringe or attach new fringe so the ends match the weave. Catching a Persian rug at this stage saves far more of the original knotting than waiting until the field is affected.

Red rug edge with worn binding and grey foundation threads exposed
Close up of a red rug border with a freshly rebound edge
Worn selvedge along the edge of a red patterned rug
Hand holding the corner of a red rug with frayed fringe and navy selvedge

Selvage & Bindings

The selvage is the wrapped edge that seals the two long sides of a Persian rug and keeps the pile from unraveling sideways. Once it wears through, the foundation underneath frays and the rug opens along the side. We rebuild the selvage and binding by hand in wool to suit the weight of the rug, from a fine single wrap on a lighter city piece to a heavier finish on a coarser village weave:

  • Single Edge Weaving
  • Double Edge Weaving
  • Triple Edge Weaving
  • Quadruple Edge Weaving
Hand repairing a colorful woven rug with a needle and thread.
Before and after of a pile repair, bare foundation patch then restored pile
Rug repair showing before and after restoration of frayed edges.
Wool rug repair with sewing needles and yarn on textured carpet.

Reweaving & Restoration

Reweaving is where a lost part of a Persian rug is put back. We rebuild the foundation across the gap, then knot new wool or silk into place, matching knot type, count, color, and pile direction until the repaired area sits flush with the pattern. It is slow, exacting work, and it is how a moth hole or a worn-through patch disappears back into the design. Common cases include:

  • Moth holes down to the foundation
  • Worn field and low pile
  • Holes with no foundation left
  • Old repairs reopened and rewoven correctly

Why choose Zeytounian Rugs for Persian Rug Repair in San Diego?

Who reweaves your rug matters as much as the decision to repair it. A rushed job can pull the surrounding knots out of tension, leave a ridge you feel underfoot, or set a color that never quite belongs. The bench has repaired Persian rugs for seventy years, long enough to learn that a repair must hold for decades and stay faithful to the weaver who made it.

This is oriental rug repair and Persian rug restoration in the true sense, hand reweaving that matches the original knot density and dye rather than covering damage over. We cover the whole county, from La Jolla, Del Mar, and Coronado inland to Rancho Santa Fe and Carmel Valley. A hand-knotted rug with structural damage should not be folded or crammed into a trunk, so we handle the pickup and delivery. We come get it, repair it in Kearny Mesa, and bring it back.

Every job starts with an honest evaluation and a clear recommendation, from a small fringe reset up to full structural reweaving. Many owners have us clean and repair together, and you can read more about our Persian rug cleaning in San Diego when the piece needs both. Rug repair is not a sideline for us, it is the trade the family has practiced here since 1956, and we handle each piece as carefully as if it were staying in the family.

Persian Rug Repair Questions, Answered

A machine runs a line of thread across the surface. It does not rebuild the warp, weft, and knots that give a Persian rug its structure, so the fix sits on top and pulls the weave out of shape over time. Hand reweaving replaces what was lost in the same construction, which is why it holds.

Yes. Moth larvae eat the wool pile and can chew into the foundation, but a hole is repairable when sound warp and weft remain around it. We treat the rug first so nothing is left alive in the wool, then rebuild the hole to match the field.

A good reweave should disappear into the pattern. We match the knot type, the density, the fiber, and the aged tone of the dye. On very old pieces with uneven fading we show you up front how close the match can get.

Usually. Machine overstitching, mismatched yarn, and glued tears can generally be reopened and rewoven the right way. We assess what was done and explain what a correct repair will involve at the free estimate.

It depends on the type and extent of the damage. Fringe and binding work moves faster than reweaving a large hole or restoring an antique. Your free estimate comes with a timeframe for your specific rug, and we hold to it.

You can, but you do not have to. Pickup and delivery reaches every part of San Diego County, and drop-off at the Kearny Mesa workshop works too if you would rather hand the rug over in person.

Authentic handmade rugs with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Testimonials from Our Clients

All Testimonials

Excellent
5.0
Exceptional service that surpassed my expectations! They did an amazing job on my 35+ year-old area rug. Older stains I thought could never be removed, are gone! My rug looks like new, great experience from start to finish.
Melisa Mitchell
2 days ago
They really know what they are doing. I wouldn’t trust my hand knotted wool rugs to anyone else. They wash them the right way and your rugs are CLEAN!!!
nicole wyne
3 days ago
My rug was pretty gnarly from a bad coffee spill. I guess the rug was also in the show room for some time because it looks even brighter than when I bought it👌🏼 Thanks fellas!
Andy Nickerson
6 days ago
Amazing experience from start to finish. Tight communications & fast service. Great value.
James Endicott
7 days ago
Let me add my recommendation for Zeyrtounian Rug Cleaning to the list of happy customers . Zeyrtounian brothers were recommended by the couple Wiazi who repaired a very old and in poor shape Turkish rug (they did an amazing job) that has been in the family for almost 100 years. Zeyrtounian brothers brought the rug back to life. They gave me a great deal and completed the cleaning in a timely manner. They are both very friendly and want their customers satisfied. Highly recommended. James
Leonardo Perez
1 week ago
They are great to work with, honest and helpfull. I made the right choice specially when they revealed my rug was an authentic persian rug. Thank you for helping me out
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words, Leonardo! It was a pleasure working with you and helping you learn more about your rug. Discovering that you have an authentic Persian rug is always exciting, and we're glad we could share some of our knowledge with you! We take great pride in being honest, transparent, and helpful with every customer. We truly appreciate you choosing our family business and trusting us with your rug. We look forward to helping you again in the future!
Caitlin Kaplan
1 week ago
We had six rugs cleaned (including a large Persian Hamadan) plus new rug pads, with pickup and delivery. We hit some scheduling challenges on our end, and they were so understanding and helpful working around them, and never made us feel like a bother. The rugs came back beautiful. Really glad we went with a family business that clearly takes pride in the work. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the thoughtful review, Caitlin! It was a pleasure working with you and caring for your beautiful rugs, especially your Persian Hamadan! We're so happy to hear that you're pleased with the cleaning and new rug pads. We understand that schedules can get hectic, and we're always happy to be as accommodating as possible. As a family-owned business, we take great pride in both our craftsmanship and the relationships we build with our customers. Your kind words and recommendation truly mean a lot to us. Thank you again for trusting us with your rugs!
The brothers are great. Service was very professional and within my budget. Highly recommend them.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words, Sharon! We’re happy to hear you had a great experience with us. We truly appreciate your support and recommendation. It was a pleasure working with you, and we look forward to helping you again in the future!
Sharon Duke
2 weeks ago
Linda Beach
2 weeks ago
I can't enough about the brothers that own this business. Alex and Anthony are 3rd generation rug sellers, cleaners and offer repair services. Their knowledge of the various rugs is extensive. The business itself is a vast improvement over the prior vendor who serviced my rugs. They have a 9-step process for cleaning the rugs and the drying system ensures a good, dry, flat rug, without any evidence of trapped mildew or moisture. I have a lot of pets, my rug came home from the cleaning looking almost new. I've referred friends and neighbors, who want to maintain and preserve their Persian, Turkish, Afghani rugs to Zeytounian. Everything about the business it top of the line.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for this incredible review, Linda! It truly means a lot to both of us that you recognize the care, knowledge, and attention to detail we put into our work. As a third-generation family business, we take great pride in continuing our family's tradition of caring for fine rugs. We're so happy to hear how pleased you are with the results! Your trust in us and your referrals to friends and neighbors mean more than you know. Thank you again for your continued support, and we look forward to caring for your rugs for many years to come!
They did a great job cleaning two of my Karastan rugs, I would highly recommend
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Leticia! We're happy to hear you’re pleased with how your Karastan rugs turned out! We take great pride in caring for every rug that comes through our shop, and we truly appreciate you trusting us with yours. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation. We look forward to helping you again in the future!
Louise McDevitt
3 weeks ago
Zeytournian has been cleaning our area rugs for the last 30 yrs of pet stains, odors, and spilled drinks Have always been highly satisfied.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Louise! It truly means the world to us that you and your family have trusted ours with your rugs for the past 30 years! As a third-generation family business, we're incredibly grateful for longtime customers like you who have supported us throughout the years. We're so happy to hear that you've consistently been pleased with our work. Thank you again for your loyalty and continued trust in us!
Emily Cheney
4 weeks ago
Adore them. Never going anywhere else to have my rug cleaned
Response from the owner:Thanks Emily you're the BEST!
Jo\ Anne Hacker
4 weeks ago
Wow these guys are truly amazing. So friendly, competent, accommodating. Simply could not ask for more. And…my carpets are soooo clean!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Jo-Anne! We're thrilled to hear how happy you are with your freshly cleaned rugs! We take great pride in not only delivering exceptional cleaning results but also making the entire experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Your kind words truly mean a lot to us, and we're grateful you chose our family business. It was a pleasure working with you, and we look forward to caring for your rugs again in the future!
Shinar Zoldi
4 weeks ago
It was a medium wool area rug that needed cleaning as well as a repair in one of the corners. It’s an old repair that was unraveling and eaten by dry rot. Anthony and his crew were very upfront about what they can and can’t do, but it certainly exceeded my expectations. The rug looks beautiful. Thank you.
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Shinar! We're thrilled to hear that both the cleaning and corner repair exceeded your expectations. We always believe in being upfront and honest about what can realistically be accomplished, especially when working with older rugs that have existing damage. It means a lot to us that you trusted us with your rug, and we're so happy to hear how beautiful it turned out. Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to helping you in the future!
Jerry G
1 month ago
Brought in an Egyptian layer weave cotton rug to be treated prior to installation. The facility is run by the Zeytounian brothers, very friendly service and with suggestions for the care of the rug. I also purchased their recommended rug padding. They were helpful in unloading the loading the rug in my RAV4. Strongly recommend, no issues with the rug, it was beautiful. Photo attached. Any marks on the rug are from 3 and 5 year old grandchildren playing on it!!
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Jerry! It was a pleasure meeting you and helping you prepare your beautiful Egyptian cotton rug for your home. We're glad we could offer some helpful care recommendations and get you set up with the proper rug padding to protect it for years to come. We love hearing that your grandchildren are already enjoying it! After all, rugs are meant to be lived on and enjoyed. We truly appreciate your trust in us and your recommendation. Thank you again for supporting our family business!
Stewart Polk
1 month ago
I took our rug to Zeytounuan Rugs for cleaning after watching their short video. The rug is gold and ivory, and one foot on either side of the rug was dark brown from dirt. When I left it with Anthony I was hopeful that I may see some color where the walking paths were. Eight days after leaving the rug Anthony called to say the rug was ready for collection. I took it home and opened what looked like a new rug! The colors were bright and it is so, so very clean. You could never tell the rug is 20 years old. So happy!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Stewart. Twenty years of foot traffic on gold and ivory is about the hardest thing anyone hands us, so getting the colour back out of it was satisfying on our end too. Glad the video brought you in, and Anthony will be pleased.
Marcia Sorini
1 month ago
Zeytounian Rug Cleaning and Repair have been my go to rug cleaners for the past 25 years. Kind, courteous, timely and through. My rugs are beautiful and will last forever with the care the Zeytounian family gives them. Call them now!?♥️♥️♥️
Response from the owner:Thank you, Marcia. Twenty five years of rugs between us is something we don't take lightly. Looking after them so they outlast all of us is the whole idea. We appreciate you saying so.
Sarah Federman
1 month ago
Loved working with them. Not only did our rugs come back beautiful and clean, they taught us more about the history of the carpets. Ours was likely woven by two women over 100 years ago in Persia. They say it took them two years. I feel more connected to these women.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Sarah. Reading where a rug came from is half the pleasure of this work, and a piece like yours carries a lot of hours in it. Glad it came back clean and that you know a little more about it now. We appreciate you taking the time.
Adrian Montfort
1 month ago
This is one of those dying breed of amazing family businesses that make this country great. Friendly service, that old school way of doing business where you feel understood and appreciated. Cleaning service was great and delivered on time, communication was beyond great. I absolutely recommend this place for area rug cleaning.
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner:Thank you, Adrian. Three generations in, the old school way is really the only way we know. Glad the rug came back on time and that you always knew where things stood. We appreciate the recommendation.
Adam Salter
1 month ago
Zeytounian Rugs did a great job repairing and cleaning a Turkish rug I’ve had since I was a teenager. The corner has been chewed and damaged by my dog many years ago, but they fixed it right up. After the repair and a clean it looks like new, I’m so pleased. The guys are super friendly and knowledgeable, just a pleasure to work with.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Adam. A chewed corner on a rug you've had that long is worth repairing properly rather than hiding, and Turkish weaves take the repair well. Glad it looks like new again.
Reid Perry
2 months ago
Friendly, professional, hardworking brothers. Had two chinese ivory wool rugs cleaned. One large one smaller. One with a few spots i did not think they could get out, but they did. Very pleased. Would highly recommend them.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Reid. Ivory wool is unforgiving, so spots on it are the ones people assume are permanent. Glad we could prove otherwise on both. We appreciate the recommendation.
Vincent Carson
2 months ago
Knowledgeable, hardworking, kind, and professional. What else can I say.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Vincent. That's plenty to say, and we appreciate you taking the time.
patricia arbaugh
2 months ago
I had three rugs cleaned and service was outstanding! Very professional and personable. My rugs look brand new! Repaired fringe on one of my rugs and did an excellent job. Pick up and drop off is so convenient! Would highly recommend!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Patricia. Fringe repair is slow work and it's the detail most people notice afterwards, so it's good to hear it came out right. Glad the pickup and drop off made it easy. Three rugs at once is our favourite kind of day.
Krisg123
2 months ago
You never know who you’ll encounter when searching Google for a professional service, but these brothers were an incredible find! They are among the kindest, most efficient, and trustworthy service professionals I’ve ever met. They treated our rug as if it were their own and completely eliminated every sign of staining. Thank you so much for the outstanding service. I’ll gladly recommend you to anyone in need of professional rug cleaning!
Response from the owner:Thank you. Picking a rug cleaner off a search result is a leap of faith, so we're glad it paid off. Treating a rug like it's our own is the only way we know how to do it. We appreciate the recommendation.

Persian Rug Repair by Where the Damage Sits

Ends, sides and field
Where the damage is What is actually failing How we repair it
The ends and fringe On a Persian rug the fringe is the exposed tail of the warp threads that run the full length of the piece, so when it wears away the end knots have nothing to hold them and the rug gives up rows Chain stitching locks the last sound row of knots and holds the foundation steady, then we rebuild the worn fringe or attach new fringe to match the weave
The long sides The selvage is the wrapped edge that seals both long sides, and once it wears through the foundation underneath frays and the rug opens along the side Selvage and binding rebuilt by hand in wool to suit the weight of the rug, in single, double, triple or quadruple edge weaving
The field A lost part of the rug, where the pattern itself is gone The foundation is rebuilt across the gap, then new wool or silk is knotted in, matching knot type, count, color and pile direction until the area sits flush with the pattern
Zeytounian Rugs gold ZR monogram with olive branch

Contact Us for Expert Persian Rug Repair

★★★★★ 5.0 · Google Reviews

Drop your rug off, or we can pick it up. Our shop is at 7343 Ronson Rd Ste U in Kearny Mesa, open Monday to Friday 9 to 4 and Saturday 9 to 2. Coming by freeway, Kearny Mesa connects straight off Highway 52 and Interstate 805, and the drive runs about twenty minutes from Coronado, twenty-five from Chula Vista, and twenty-five from Encinitas.

Get Driving Directions to Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair

See all of our rug cleaning and repair services in San Diego.