Squeegee pushing foam across a blue rug patterned with fish

Rug Cleaning and Repair FAQs

The questions San Diego customers actually ask us, answered the way we would answer them at the counter. If yours is not here, call the shop and ask. Estimates are free either way.

Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair has washed and rebuilt rugs in San Diego since 1956, and Alexander and Anthony are the third generation of the family doing it. Nothing below is a sales pitch. Where the honest answer is “it depends on the rug,” that is what it says.

Estimates and Getting Started

Estimates and Getting Started

We will not quote a rug we have not seen, and anyone who quotes you over the phone is guessing. Size, fiber, construction and condition all move the number, and so does whether the rug needs repair as well as a wash. The estimate is free, it is written down, and no work starts until you approve it.

Three ways. Bring the rug to the shop in Kearny Mesa and we will look at it while you wait, send the form on this site, or call us. If you would rather not move the rug, we will collect it and estimate it here.

No. If you see the estimate and decide against it, we return the rug. You pay for work you approved.

Yes, we handle water damage and loss situations and can document what we find. Bring us the claim details and we will tell you honestly whether the rug is restorable. See water damage restoration.

How the Wash Works

How the Wash Works

By hand. Unlike a lot of rug cleaners, we do not run rugs through any machine. Every Oriental and area rug is hand washed with all natural soap.

The rug is submerged rather than surface cleaned. Before that it is dusted to shake out the dry soil sitting deep in the pile, because washing dirt that is still dry only turns it to mud. After the wash the water is spun out and the rug dries in a room where airflow and humidity are controlled, so it goes home flat and without a trapped damp smell.

Every rug is dye tested before it goes in the water. If a color shows any tendency to bleed, that rug gets a slower and gentler wash. This is one of the reasons we will not wash a rug at your house.

No, and that is deliberate. Dusting, immersion, spinning and controlled drying only happen at a facility. In-home cleaning reaches the surface and leaves the rest.

A carpet cleaner works in your home with truck mounted steam equipment built for wall to wall synthetic carpet. That heat can shrink wool and the pressure can distort a hand knotted pile. A rug washer takes the rug to a facility and washes it as a textile. Same word, different trade. There is a longer answer on washing versus steam cleaning.

One to two weeks for most rugs. Repairs add time because reweaving and rebinding are done by hand. We give you a real date when we see the rug.

With kids, pets or a hallway, every twelve to eighteen months. A rug in a quiet room that gets vacuumed can go two to three years. If you are unsure, ask us to look at it.

Repair and Restoration

Repair and Restoration

Fringe replacement, ends and edge binding, holes, moth damage, and full hand reweaving of missing sections. Materials are matched to the rug’s original construction so the repair disappears into the weave rather than sitting on top of it.

Usually, and we will tell you plainly when it is not. Bring it in or send a photo. A hole caught early is a smaller job than the same hole after another year of walking on it. See hole repair and reweaving.

Yes, and it is one of the most common jobs on the bench. The fringe is the end of the rug’s foundation, so letting it unravel is not only cosmetic. More on fringe repair.

We do. Moths eat wool, and the damage is often worse under the rug than on top of it. Washing removes the larvae and eggs, then the eaten areas are rewoven. See moth damage repair.

That is the work we like most. Older and more delicate pieces are inspected before anything is done, and the approach is tailored to the fiber, the construction and the dyes.

Pet Accidents and Odors

Pet Accidents and Odors

Out. There is a specialty step called urine decontamination that soaks the rug before it is washed and breaks the urine down at the source, so the full immersion wash flushes it rather than masking it. Surface treatments and deodorizers do not reach it. More on pet urine and odor removal.

The cause is usually damp rather than urine, and it is worth finding out where the damp came from. Storage, a closed room, an old spill, or a rug pad that stayed wet underneath will all do it. See musty odor removal.

Pickup, Delivery and Drop-Off

Pickup, Delivery and Drop-Off

Yes, anywhere in San Diego County, and the collection is free. Give us your address and how many rugs and we will confirm a window. See the areas we serve.

7343 Ronson Rd Ste U in Kearny Mesa. Monday to Friday 9 to 4, Saturday 9 to 2 by appointment.

Every rug is tagged and logged to your name when it arrives, and it never leaves the one building until it goes back to you. It is not passed between trucks or handled at a rotating stop.

Rugs, Pads and Care

Rugs, Pads and Care

Persian, Turkish, Afghan, Moroccan, Chinese and Indian rugs, wool, silk, viscose, kilims and flatweaves, and machine made rugs too. If you are unsure about yours, ask.

Carefully. Viscose is wood pulp and it behaves badly with water, which is why so many of them come to us already ruined by a general cleaner. It needs a method built for the fiber. See viscose rug cleaning.

On a hard floor, yes, and we would put one under most rugs in the house. It takes the grind of foot traffic off the pile and stops the rug moving. On carpet in a quiet room it matters less, and we will say so. See rug pads.

Vacuum regularly without a beater bar near the fringe, rotate the rug so one end does not take all the sun and all the traffic, and blot spills rather than rubbing them. If something red or greasy goes down, call before you experiment on it.

Still Have a Question?

Send it with the form, or call the shop at (858) 571-6808.

★★★★★ 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. Pickup and delivery reach anywhere in San Diego County.

Get Driving Directions to Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair

Authentic handmade rugs with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Testimonials from Our Clients

All Testimonials

Excellent
5.0
Emily Cheney
3 days 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
3 days ago
Wow these guys are truly amazing. So friendly, competent, accommodating. Simply could not ask for more. And…my carpets are soooo clean!
Shinar Zoldi
6 days 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
Jerry G
1 week 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
Stewart Polk
2 weeks 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
2 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
4 weeks 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.
We had a rug that had dog urine on it. Took it in on a Thursday and the entire rug was ready by Monday. Extremely quick turn-around time. They pick up rugs as well if you make an appointment which I will be utilizing in the future at this establishment.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Christian. Pet accidents need to be dealt with properly rather than quickly, so getting both on that one felt good. The pickup service is there whenever you need it, just give us a ring to book it in.
David Erb
4 weeks ago
This was the best rug cleaning experience that we’ve had, we’ll absolutely be back again for the excellent results & customer service!!
Response from the owner:David, thank you for the review and trusting us with your rug! We look forward to working with you again
Zeytounian did an excellent job cleaning our rugs for a good price. Anthony & Alex were very helpful and quick to respond. They made the whole process easy and even identified the origin and patterns on our rugs. We highly recommend them and will definitely use their services again.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the review guys! Always a pleasure doing business!
Dev Sethi
1 month ago
Superb service. Excellent communication. I was referred to get two large rugs cleaned. One wool , one synthetic blend. The shop arranged pick up, full deep cleaning, and return installation. Anthony was always easy to reach and quick to respond. We are very happy with the results. I highly recommend them for all of your carpet and rug cleaning needs. I will definitely use them again.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Dev. A wool rug and a synthetic blend need different handling, so it's good to hear they both came back the way you hoped. Glad the pickup and return install went smoothly as well. We appreciate the recommendation. Anthony
Nice guys to work with. They do a great job cleaning filthy Persian carpets (recommend that you watch a couple of their U-tube videos regarding how they do this). Added plus, they are great about answering their phones!
Response from the owner:Hi Katherine, thanks so much for the 5 stars! Persian rug cleaning takes precise, dedicated care, so we’re thrilled you're happy with the results. It's awesome to hear you enjoyed our YouTube videos, too! We always strive to be easy to reach, so whenever you need carpet or rug services again, we're just a phone call away.
David Martin
1 month ago
Reliable, professional, courteous and great cleaning job on special rug. Recommended.
Response from the owner:David, thank you for the review and for trusting us with your beautiful handmade rug from Nepal!
Teri Wikesjo
1 month ago
My carpets hadn’t been cleaned in 20 years. They all came back looking like new. They were so helpful and professional. I highly recommend them.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the review Teri! See you next time!
Excellent customer service and super convenient. These guys know what they’re doing! And the prices are super reasonable. 10/10 recommend
Response from the owner:Wow, Maura, your kind words made our day! We absolutely love helping keep area rugs fresh and spotless, and it's amazing to hear you enjoyed our service and pricing. Our team is always here to make life easier for you - come back anytime or let us know if you have more rugs that need sprucing up! Share us with your friends for the same great experience!
susan halenza
2 months ago
These 2 brothers are the best:professional,especiallynice to work with,compliant with customer wishes ,the cleaned rugs look great. I have also bought rugs from them that were very special also.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting us with your rugs! We love working with wonderful customers like you and it means a lot to hear you felt comfortable and happy with both our rug cleaning and our collection. Your appreciation makes our day brighter. If you ever want to browse new arrivals or need another cleaning, we're always here to help.
Michael Sheehan
2 months ago
Zeytounian brothers over delivered on cleaning a Moroccan rug that my pets cherished as a potty pad! Guys are legit & price was better than quoted. 3 words “utilize their services “ thanks guys!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Michael! Knowing that your beloved rug is now spotless and back in action makes our day - even happier to hear our pricing worked out better than expected. We’re always up for turning rug disasters into happy endings, so if you or your furry friends need a hand again, just give us a shout. We’re here to help keep your home fresh and inviting!
Debra
2 months ago
The Zeytounian brothers were easy to work with. I found to be trustworthy and the derbies to be reasonably priced. Service was excellent. The large oriental rug came back with more brilliant colors too ! I recommend anyone who needs cleaning of precious and beautiful rugs to go with the Zeytounian brothers.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Debra, for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled that you found our service trustworthy and reasonably priced, and that your oriental rug looks brilliant. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to helping you again.
Debbie Smith
2 months ago
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for trusting us with your area rug cleaning, Debbie! We’re thrilled you found our pricing reasonable and hope your freshly cleaned rug adds extra comfort to your home. Your feedback really brightens our day. If you ever need another refresh or have any friends who could use our service, we’d love to help again!