A wooden-handled brush spreading white cleaning foam across a red and blue patterned Oriental rug during a hand wash.

Oriental Rug Cleaning San Diego

Zeytounian Rugs hand washes Oriental rugs at our Kearny Mesa facility in San Diego. Every rug is dusted, tested for colorfastness, then fully immersed so grit trapped in the knots flushes out. Pickup and delivery are available across San Diego County, and you get a written estimate before any work begins.

  • 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
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No obligation · pickup & delivery countywide
★★★★★5.0 from 440+ Google reviews

The short version: Hand wash Oriental rug cleaning at our Kearny Mesa facility in San Diego, with a written estimate before any work begins.

  • Why not steam clean it at home? Steam reaches the top of the pile. The packed soil at the foundation of a hand knotted rug only rinses out in a full immersion wash.
  • Is an antique Oriental rug still safe to clean? Yes. We adjust the method to the age, fiber and fragility of each piece, as we have since 1956.
  • Can I get it cleaned without leaving home? Yes. We pick up, wash the rug at our facility, and deliver it back to you.
  • Do you repair Oriental rugs as well as clean them? Yes. Fringe, edge binding, holes and foundation reweaving happen alongside cleaning.

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.


Oriental Rug Cleaning Specialists in San Diego

Zeytounian Rugs cleans handmade Oriental rugs in San Diego with a full immersion wash tuned to natural dyes and hand knotted wool and silk. Our family has cleaned Persian, Turkish, Afghan, and other Oriental rugs since 1956, and we pick up, wash, and deliver rugs across San Diego County.

Oriental rug cleaning in San Diego should happen in a washroom, not on your living room floor. A hand-knotted rug is thousands of individual knots tied onto a woven foundation, and that foundation holds grit that no in-home carpet machine can reach. Every rug that comes to our Kearny Mesa facility is dusted, tested, and then fully immersed in water so the soil trapped between the knots is flushed all the way out. Surface cleaning brightens the top of the pile for a week. Immersion is what actually returns a hand-knotted rug to the color and hand it had when it was new.

Immersion Washing vs In-Home Steam Cleaning for Hand-Knotted Rugs
  Full immersion wash at our facility In-home steam cleaning
Where the soil sits Grit trapped between the knots is flushed all the way out of the foundation Reaches the top of the pile and leaves packed soil at the foundation
Heat and natural fiber Water at a safe temperature, worked from both sides of the rug Heat can swell wool and silk fibers and move older dyes
Detergent Rinsed until the water runs clear, so no soap stays near the foundation Detergent is often left behind in a pile too dense to rinse from above
Fringe Gets its own careful attention Treated the same as the rest of the rug
Built for Hand-knotted wool and silk rugs with natural dyes Wall-to-wall carpet with synthetic fibers and factory-locked dyes

Why Hand-Knotted Rugs Need Immersion, Not Steam

Hot steam and truck-mounted extraction were built for wall-to-wall carpet, where fibers are synthetic and dyes are locked in at the factory. A hand-knotted oriental rug is the opposite of that. Its pile is usually wool or silk, its foundation is cotton or wool, and its color comes from dyes that sit on natural fiber. Heat and aggressive chemistry can swell those fibers, blur the dyes, and leave detergent behind in a pile too dense to rinse from above.

Immersion solves the problem the rug creates. Submerged in water at a safe temperature, the whole thickness of the rug is worked from both sides and then rinsed until the water runs clear, so no soap stays trapped near the foundation. A silk-pile rug is handled with a gentler blend and less agitation than a heavy village wool. Fringe, which is the exposed end of the foundation warps, gets its own careful attention rather than being blasted with the rest of the rug.

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

Oriental Rug Styles We Clean

The word oriental covers a wide stretch of the weaving world, and each tradition ties, dyes, and finishes its rugs a little differently. A tight silk-highlight piece from an urban workshop and a chunky wool tribal rug from a mountain village both count as oriental, yet they do not wash the same way. Before any water touches a rug, we read where it likely came from, what it is made of, and how its dyes were set, then match the wash to the piece in front of us.

We clean handmade oriental rugs of nearly every origin, including: Turkish, Chinese, Caucasian, Moroccan, Kilim, Navajo, Indian, Pakistani, Afghan, Tibetan, antique and semi-antique pieces, silk and silk-highlight rugs, and machine-made oriental style rugs.

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

Before & After Oriental Rug Cleaning

Ready to have your rug washed the right way?

Pickup and delivery across San Diego County, and a written estimate before any work starts.

Get a Free Estimate Call (858) 571-6808

Our Full Immersion Oriental Rug Washing Process

1. Inspection

We open the rug flat and read it. Fiber content, whether the pile is wool or silk, how the knots are tied, the age of the piece, and any weak spots, moth damage, or prior color runs all get noted. Those details decide how the rug is washed, so we measure it and hand you a free estimate before anything else happens.

2. Deep Dry Soil Removal

A hand-knotted rug can hold pounds of dry grit down at the knot line, and that grit cuts the foundation every time the rug is walked on. Before any water, we dust the rug with vibration to shake that soil loose from deep in the pile. Clearing it out is one of the simplest ways to add years to a handmade rug.

3. Dye Testing

The natural dyes that give oriental rugs their depth are also the reason we never skip this step. We wet a small area and check whether any color wants to move. A rug that tests colorfast goes on to a normal wash. One with reactive reds or indigo gets a cooler, controlled method that keeps the colors where the weaver put them.

4. Urine Decontamination Treatment (If Needed)

Pet urine soaks past the pile and dries into salts along the foundation, where it feeds odor and can burn the dyes over time. When a rug needs it, we soak it in a natural, non-toxic solution that breaks those salts down at a molecular level so they rinse out completely instead of hiding in the knots.

5. Pre-Wash & Stain Removal Process

Trouble spots get treated by hand first. Once those areas are safely worked, the rug is ready for the bath. We soak both faces to loosen the dirt, odor, and grime held deep in the wool or silk pile. When the whole thickness is saturated, it is ready to wash.

6. Washing and Rinsing

The soap blend is chosen for the fiber, a gentler mix for silk pile and a stronger one for dense wool, and all of it is all-natural with no harsh chemistry. We hand-wash the rug, working the pile down to its foundation, then flush it with a full rinse. The rinsing continues until the water leaving the rug runs clean and clear, which is how we know no soap is left behind.

7. Drying

Water is extracted, then the rug is dried under controlled conditions rather than rushed with high heat. Depending on the fiber and weight, it is hung on our racks or dried in the sun. A slow, even dry keeps the foundation from shrinking and the shape true.

8. Rug Finishing

A hand-knotted pile has a grain, the direction it was tied, and years of foot traffic push it out of line. Once the rug is fully dry, we groom the pile back into that original direction. The color evens out, the surface lies the way the weaver intended, and fringe is tidied at the same time.

9. Final Inspection and Delivery (or Pickup)

We look the rug over one more time, checking that stains are gone, the pile is clean, and the colors are bright and true. Once it passes, the rug is rolled and returned to your door anywhere in San Diego County, or held for pickup if you dropped it off. Pickup and delivery is part of the service.

Authentic handmade rugs with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Testimonials from Our Clients

All Testimonials

Excellent
5.0
Adam Salter
7 hours 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.
Marcia Sorini
5 days 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.
Reid Perry
5 days 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
6 days 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.
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
1 week 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
1 week 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
2 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
4 weeks 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!
Geneva Lake
1 month ago
Thank you to the Zeytounian brothers for doing such a fantastic job on my Persian rugs. Great people. I'll definitely be back!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Geneva, for your wonderful review! We're delighted you were happy with your Persian rugs and our service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back to Zeytounian Rugs!
Sarah F
1 month ago
I was honestly so nervous to get my Persian rug cleaned. It was a wedding gift from my grandma, so it holds a very special place in my heart, and the thought of handing it over to someone else made me super anxious. From the very start, though, the team put my mind completely at ease. Before they even touched it, they asked thoughtful, expert questions like what region the rugs were originally from, which immediately showed me how deeply they understand their craft. You can tell they genuinely care about the history and integrity of the textiles they handle. When I got it back, their work completely exceeded my expectations. My rug looked brand new. I couldn't be happier with the results, and I will 100% be bringing all my future rugs back to them!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Sarah, for trusting Zeytounian Rugs with your special rug and for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear our care and expertise put you at ease and that you’re so happy with the results. We look forward to helping with your rugs in the future!
Kevin Casillo
1 month ago
We have trusted Zetounian Rug Cleaning and repair on several Chinese, Afghanistan, Moroccan and Persian rugs many times over the years. Not just expert cleaning, but repairs as well. Their skill and attention to detail is exemplary. Impeccable service coupled with endless generational knowledge of specific carpet materials, age and origin of each piece Are there others, of course there are, would I use the other guy, nope, not a chance, these boys are the best! Whether they like it or not, they are stuck with us for life.
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Kevin, for your wonderful review and your loyalty over the years! We truly appreciate your trust in Zeytounian Rugs and are delighted to be your go-to for rug cleaning and repairs. We're always here to care for your cherished rugs!
Deborah Krongard
1 month ago
I love Zeytounian! They are the best combination of professionalism and great customer service. I have brought them six or seven rugs and not only do they do an amazing job cleaning them, but they also can tell you the story of the rug's origins, etc. They do pick-ups at your home if needed and they are also lovely people - friendly and kind. I highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thanks Deborah, this means a lot! Always glad to see you and your rugs. See you next time.
Such professional and personal care. They make you feel like you're part of the family. Amazing rug knowledge
Response from the owner:Thank you, we really appreciate it. Glad you felt at home with us.
tracy stijacic
1 month ago
I had such a wonderful experience with Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair. I especially appreciate that they are a family-owned business. Brothers, Anthony and Alex were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly take great pride in their work and their family’s business. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve owned my rugs for about 25 years and had never had them professionally cleaned. These rugs are very special to me, and the results were honestly shocking—in the best way. They look absolutely amazing, and the colors and details have come back to life. I can’t believe I had actually considered getting rid of them. I’m so grateful for the care Anthony and Alex took with my rugs and that I’ll now be able to enjoy them for another 25 years. I would highly recommend Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair to anyone looking for knowledgeable and genuinely kind professionals.
Response from the owner:Tracy, thank you so much for this! Anthony and Alex had a great time working on your rugs. We could tell how much those pieces mean to you after 25 years, and that kind of care makes our job the best. So glad we could bring them back to life, and here's to the next 25 years. Come see us anytime!
Karen Renberg
1 month ago
We have had our area rugs cleaned several times. They look fabulous after they are cleaned. We wouldn't use any other cleaning service.
Response from the owner:Thanks so much Karen. It means a lot that you keep coming back to Zeytounian Rugs for your area rug cleaning here in San Diego. We love seeing those rugs come back to life and we appreciate your loyalty more than you know.

Oriental Rug Cleaning Questions

“Such professional and personal care. They make you feel like you’re part of the family. Amazing rug knowledge”

L Austell Slayter · Google review

Last updated: August 2026

Not sure how often your rug is due? See our guide on how often to have an Oriental rug professionally cleaned.

Frequently Asked Questions

An oriental rug is knotted by hand, one knot at a time, on a woven foundation, usually in wool or silk. Many area rugs are machine-made from synthetic yarn. The distinction matters for cleaning because a handmade rug carries natural fibers and natural dyes that need immersion and colorfast testing, while a machine-made rug tolerates a more routine wash. We clean both, but we do not treat them the same.

Yes. We pick up your rug anywhere in San Diego County, wash it at our Kearny Mesa facility, and deliver it back to you, all. You never have to load a heavy rug into your car or drive it across town.

Steam and in-home extraction reach the top of the pile but leave the packed soil, and often the detergent, sitting at the foundation of a dense hand-knotted rug. Heat can also swell natural fibers and move older dyes. Full immersion flushes the rug through and rinses it clean, which is the safer path for a handmade piece.

Yes. Older and antique oriental rugs are routine for us. We have washed them by hand in San Diego since 1956, and we adjust the method to the age, fiber, and fragility of each piece rather than running every rug through the same wash.

Yes. We handle fringe, edge binding, holes, and foundation reweaving alongside cleaning. If your rug needs more than a wash, we point it out and give you an honest assessment before any work starts.

Contact Us for Professional Oriental Rug Cleaning

★★★★★ 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

Who You Are Trusting With Your Rug

  • Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau as Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair of San Diego (BBB business profile, checked August 2026).
  • 5.0 stars on Google reviews from San Diego County customers.
  • Every rug is washed in our own Kearny Mesa workshop at 7343 Ronson Rd Ste U, San Diego, CA 92111, never inside a customer home.
  • Nine step full immersion wash process, with a written estimate before any work starts.

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