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

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.

  • ✓ 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

San Diego Pet Stain and Odor Removal Specialists

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. The same wash lifts the visible pet stain itself, so pet stain removal and odor removal happen in one treatment rather than two.

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.

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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

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, Indian, and machine-made rugs.

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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 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 most 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. For smells that have nothing to do with pets, from storage must to smoke, see our rug odor and musty smell removal service.

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, 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
Maura Kelly Barcelona
2 days ago
Excellent customer service and super convenient. These guys know what they’re doing! And the prices are super reasonable. 10/10 recommend
susan halenza
4 days 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
5 days 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
6 days 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
6 days 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 week 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 week 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 week 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
2 weeks 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.
L Austell Slayter
2 weeks ago
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
2 weeks 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
2 weeks 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.
Bettina Pedersen
2 weeks ago
Zeytounian Rugs was amazing! They explained the process for cleaning the rug, listened to me talk about how the rug fit into our decor and how much we loved our rug (even though it was machine made), and they did an absolutely beautiful job of cleaning and repairing it with brand new fringe. Their work is superb, and I would recommend them to anyone needing to have a rug cleaned and/or repaired.
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner:Bettina, this one made our day. Didn't matter to us that the rug was machine made. It mattered to you, and that's the whole point. New fringe plus a full clean can bring an older rug right back, and yours came out beautiful. Thanks for trusting Zeytounian Rugs with something you clearly love. Anyone in San Diego who needs a rug cleaned or repaired, send them our way.
Tim Shepich
2 weeks ago
These guys are as straightforward and honest as you can find! Great work with no surprises or hidden cost! I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Appreciate this, Tim. No surprises and no hidden costs, that's how we run every job. Straight quote up front, honest work, done right. Glad the area rug cleaning came out the way you wanted. San Diego's got no shortage of options, so it means a lot you're pointing people to us. Thanks for the recommendation.
Karen Abshier
3 weeks ago
Great guys. Amazing service.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words! We really appreciate you trusting us with your rugs. It was a pleasure serving you here in San Diego, and we look forward to helping you again whenever you need us.
L M Davis
3 weeks ago
I had a truly great experience with Zeytounian Rug Cleaning. We just moved here and I had intended to have my 6 rugs cleaned before we moved but never got around to it. I had already gotten a couple of estimates in our previous area, so I knew what to expect. Here in a new town, I contacted three different companies to try and get estimates. ONLY Zeytounian responded, and very quickly. They sent me a very reasonable estimate, and impressed by their great reviews, I scheduled a pick-up. The brothers arrived on time, were very helpful, and both have a great sense of humor! The job was completed within the time frame they specified, the rugs delivered on time, and they were happy to fulfill my special requests (photos and wrapped for storage of a couple of rugs). And, the rugs look amazing! I could not be happier. It was a pleasure doing business with Zeytounian Rug Cleaning.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Lindsey! Welcome to San Diego, and thank you for trusting us with your rugs. We're so glad we could make the process easy from the initial estimate through pickup, cleaning, and delivery. It was a pleasure meeting you, and we're happy we could accommodate your storage requests as well. Enjoy your freshly cleaned rugs, and if you ever need anything in the future, we're always here to help. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience!
Greg Goorjian
4 weeks 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 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
4 weeks 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
4 weeks ago
Response from the owner:Thanks for the five stars, Bj. Really appreciate you taking the time.
Liz Sisco
4 weeks 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
1 month 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
1 month 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
1 month 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

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

Where Pet Urine Sits, and What Each Method Actually Reaches

Pet urine in a rug, by depth
  Vacuuming and spot cleaning Full immersion wash
How deep it reaches The top of the pile only Through the pile, the foundation knots and the backing
The deposits Hardened salt deposits stay in place A natural, non toxic pre-treatment breaks the salts down at a molecular level so they release cleanly
Odor Trapped odor remains in the foundation Nothing is left behind to smell
Damage over time Deposits can corrode dyes and weaken the weave The cause is removed rather than covered
Dog and cat accidents Treated at the surface Handled the same careful way, whatever the animal

Related Rug Cleaning Services

Rug Cleaning and Washing · Area Rug Cleaning · Water Damage Restoration · Rug Pickup and Delivery · Rug Odor and Musty Smell Removal · Request a free estimate

Contact Us for Professional Rug Cleaning

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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. The same freeway runs our pickup vans make work in reverse: Highway 52 from the coast, Interstate 805 from the South Bay, and Interstate 15 from inland North County, roughly twenty to thirty-five minutes from most of the county.

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