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

Specialty Rug Cleaning in San Diego

Specialty rug cleaning takes a different approach for every fiber, and Zeytounian Rugs has cared for San Diego’s shag, sheepskin, flokati, cowhide, berber, and kilim rugs at one dedicated facility since 1956.

A long shag pile, a natural sheepskin backing, and a flatweave kilim each behave differently in water, so we match the method to the piece. Every washable rug is cleaned by hand with all-natural soaps and no harsh chemicals, while hides get a low-moisture treatment that protects the skin.

✓ Free pickup and delivery across San Diego County
✓ Full immersion hand washing, never surface scrubbing
✓ Third generation family craftsmen since 1956
✓ Free written estimates before any work starts

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No obligation · free pickup & delivery countywide

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

San Diego Specialty Rug Cleaning Specialists

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

Some specialty rugs need patient flushing to clear soil that has packed down at the base of a deep pile. Others cannot be soaked at all, because a leather or skin backing will stiffen and crack once it is saturated. We identify the fiber and construction of every specialty rug that comes in, then decide whether it belongs in a full-immersion wash or a controlled low-moisture clean.

One Facility for Every Kind of Rug

Many carpet cleaners turn shag, sheepskin, and cowhide rugs away, because a machine built for wall-to-wall carpet has no safe setting for loose wool pile or a hair-on hide. We are a dedicated rug facility, run by the third generation of the same family, and set up for natural and synthetic fibers alike.

Whatever the rug is made of, it is handled on its own and cleaned by the method its fiber can take, so it comes back soft and undamaged.

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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

Specialty Rugs We Clean in San Diego

Each specialty rug gets its own wash plan. We read the material, the dyes, and the construction of the piece, then build the cleaning around what that specific rug can safely take.

From synthetic looped berbers to hand-loomed Greek flokati, we clean the full range of specialty rugs, alongside the Persian, oriental, and wool pieces our facility washes every day.

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Eco-Friendly

Shag Rugs

Shag rugs hide their dirt. The pile is long and loose, so grit and pet hair sink to the base where a vacuum cannot reach. Our shag rug cleaning starts with a thorough dusting to shake that buried soil free, followed by a full-immersion wash that flushes both the pile and the foundation. Careful drying and grooming lift the strands back up, so the rug feels plush again instead of matted and flat.

Sheepskin & Hide Rugs

Sheepskin rug cleaning is nothing like washing a knotted wool rug. The wool sits on a natural skin backing that holds its own lanolin, and soaking that skin leaves it stiff and cracked. We clean sheepskin and other single-pelt hides with a gentle low-moisture method that lifts soil and refreshes the wool while keeping the backing soft and pliable. It comes back clean without losing the give that makes a real sheepskin worth owning.

Flokati Rugs

A flokati is a thick, hand-loomed Greek rug woven entirely from long wool, so it behaves like a shag but with far more fiber to manage. Our flokati rug cleaning washes the wool by hand, then fluffs the pile as it dries, which is what gives a genuine flokati its deep, cloud-like loft. Rush the drying and the wool clumps and mats down heavy, which is exactly what a proper facility wash is meant to prevent.

Cowhide Rugs

A cowhide is hair-on leather, not a woven textile, so it never goes into a wash tub. Cowhide rug cleaning is done by hand on the surface, cleaning the hair in the direction it lies and conditioning the leather backing so it stays supple. Over-wetting a cowhide is the quickest way to ruin one, and that is the thing we take care to avoid.

Berber Rugs

Berber rugs are woven in low, tight loops, in wool or in hard-wearing synthetics. Those uncut loops trap fine soil and can snag or pull if a rug is scrubbed too aggressively. Our berber rug cleaning uses controlled moisture and gentle agitation to clear the grit without distorting the loop pile, then dries the rug flat so it holds its shape and its low, even surface.

Kilim Rugs

A kilim has no pile at all. It is a flatweave, usually wool, often carrying bright tribal dyes that can bleed if they are not tested first. Our kilim cleaning always begins with colorfast testing, then a gentle hand wash and a thorough rinse that clears soil from both faces of the weave. Flatweaves dry quickly, and we keep that drying controlled so the colors stay crisp and the weave stays true.

Delicate Fibers With a Page of Their Own

Silk Rugs

Real silk asks for cool water, low-pH soap, and slow drying, and nothing else will do. Our silk rug cleaning page walks through how we protect the sheen and the fine detail.

Wool Rugs

A full immersion wash is what restores wool’s softness and color, and it is the heart of what we do. See the complete wool rug cleaning process.

Viscose & Bamboo Silk Rugs

Viscose browns and stiffens when it is washed carelessly, so moisture stays under tight control. Our viscose rug cleaning method covers art silk and bamboo silk pieces.

Antique Rugs

Old dyes and brittle foundations change the whole wash plan, and repair often runs alongside the bath. Read how antique rug cleaning works at our facility.

Turkish Rugs & Kilims

Anatolian weaving runs from thick Oushak pile to slit-woven kilims, and each is washed its own way. Start with our Turkish rug cleaning page.

Persian & Oriental Rugs

The hand-knotted classics come through our wash floor every week. Visit Persian rug cleaning or oriental rug cleaning for the details.

Watch Our Wash Process

Before & After Rug Cleaning

Matching the Wash to the Construction

Specialty rugs take our full nine step immersion wash process only as far as their construction allows. Deep-pile shag and flokati hide a surprising amount of sand at the base of their long fibers, so the grit is shaken free while the rug is completely dry and the pile is groomed after drying to restore its deep, even loft, while hide and leather-backed pieces skip the soak entirely and are cleaned by a low-moisture method so the backing is never saturated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you clean rugs that carpet cleaners turn away?

Yes, that is most of what this page covers. Shag, flokati, cowhide, berber, and kilim rugs all need handling that wall-to-wall carpet equipment cannot give them, and our facility washes or surface-cleans each one by the method its construction can take.

How do you decide between the wash tub and low-moisture cleaning?

The construction decides it. Washable fiber rugs go into the full immersion process, while a hair-on hide or any leather-backed piece is cleaned by hand with controlled moisture, because soaking a skin leaves it stiff and cracked. We sort every rug during the inspection.

Will a matted shag or flokati get its loft back?

In almost every case, yes. The wash flushes out the packed soil that weighs the pile down, and we work the fibers as they dry so the strands lift instead of clumping. Grooming at the end restores the deep, even surface.

Do the bright colors on a kilim bleed in the wash?

They can if they are not tested, so kilim cleaning always starts with colorfast testing. Dyes that hold go through the gentle hand wash. A dye that moves changes the plan to a controlled low-moisture clean before any harm is done.

Is pickup free for specialty rugs?

Yes. Pickup and delivery are free across San Diego County for every rug type on this page, and each piece is measured and quoted with a free estimate before cleaning starts.

Authentic handmade rugs with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Testimonials from Our Clients

All Testimonials

Excellent

5.0

Greg Goorjian

3 days ago

The family heirloom passed down from my grandfather. Prayer rug size, losing threads, and quite filthy.. After restoration and washing at their own shop. A Full emersion process in their shop. The rug came back with 100% satisfaction. Family owned and operated by Armenians.. They know a thing or two about a thing or two. Highly recommend Zeytounian Rugs!

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

5 days ago

Great service (even my dogs had fun in the treat and toy-filled office! Will come back for the next clean, for sure!

Response from the owner:Pam, this made our whole day. The treat basket is genuinely one of the best decisions we've made around here, and your two were great company. See you at the next clean, and thanks for the kind words.

Liberty&Justice67

6 days ago

Great service! Rug is very clean. The owner is very courteous. Timely service. Low price for the service standard. Recommend without hesitation.

Response from the owner:Dan, thanks for trusting us with your rug and for the great review!

Katy Motiey

6 days ago

This is an exceptional business run by 2 brothers… professional and high quality work. Thank you for taking care of our family Persian carpets!

Response from the owner:katy, thanks for the review and letting us take care of your rugs!

Bj Alfstad

6 days ago

Response from the owner:Thanks for the five stars, Bj. Really appreciate you taking the time.

Liz Sisco

1 week ago

Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair did a fantastic job cleaning 10 of my Persian rugs. Alexander and Anthony are friendly, professional and passionate about caring for rugs. Pick up and delivery was seamless and the rugs came back looking NEW! I highly recommend Zeytounian Rugs for all your rug cleaning and repair needs.

Response from the owner:Thanks so much for the great review Liz! It was a pleasure washing your beautiful persian and oriental rugs!

Susan Penman

2 weeks ago

My pup unfortunately had a vomiting accident on our 6 month old handmade silk Turkish rug and I jumped online and saw the incredible reviews from all of your customers and was so impressed I called immediately screaming HELP! We met the next day and your calmness and confidence gave us exactly what we needed to know that we found the best team to care for our very special piece of art! Thank you all for saving us! I 1000% recommend you trust this family with your heirlooms as well any other rugs you need assistance with, additionally the team recommended we have a sleeve sewn on the back and hang our beautiful piece of art, best decision ever! Feel free to call us at any time for a live reference!

Response from the owner:Susan, thank you so much for this amazing review. We're honored you trusted us with such a special handmade silk rug. We know how overwhelming those moments can be, so it means a lot to hear that we were able to give you peace of mind. Seeing your rug restored and now proudly displayed on the wall made the whole experience even more rewarding for us. Thank you again for your trust, your kind words, and your recommendation. It was a pleasure helping you, and we hope you enjoy your beautiful rug for many years to come!

Babra Rosenberg

2 weeks ago

This is the most amazing company. They do a fabulous job. They made my old beat up. Rug. Look like brand new. They are Reasonably priced andso nice to work with. I would definitely recommend them.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Babra! We’re thrilled to hear you’re happy with your rug cleaning and our service. It means a lot to us that you’d recommend Zeytounian Rugs. We look forward to helping you again in the future!

Anna Ancona

2 weeks ago

They were very professional and great at communicating. They cleaned my Moroccan rug in a week. Loved supporting this family owned business!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Anna, for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you loved our service and are grateful for your support of our family-owned business. It was a pleasure caring for your Moroccan rug! – The Zeytounian Rugs Team

River Amin

3 weeks ago

We got our Persian rug professionally cleaned for the first time after nearly 20 years. It moved with us across the country several times and survived our college years and our first child’s baby/toddler years. Zeytounian Rugs did an incredible job! The colors are so bright and the rug is so soft. They hand-repaired the worn edges and the tassels are stark white. I’m truly impressed by the quality of their work. 10/10, would definitely recommend!

Response from the owner:Wow River seriously thank you so much! It’s one of the main reasons we love doing what we do. To bring these family pieces back to life and keep their stories going from generation to generation! Good luck on the new chapter in Chicago and best wishes!

Louis Cappella

3 weeks ago

I highly recommend Zeytounian rugs. They cleaned Afghan and Tibetan (2) rugs that I’d stored for over a year and which hadn’t been cleaned in many years. They found moths and treated them beautifully, restoring their lustre. Friendly, convenient by appointment service at a good price!

Response from the owner:Louis, thanks so much for trusting us with your beautiful handmade rugs and for the great review!

kristine Villa

3 weeks ago

Zeytounian did an amazing job on our area rug. It looked just as it did when we first bought it. Customer service 10 out of 10. I highly recommend them.

Response from the owner:Thanks so much Kristine! Glad we could bring your rug back to its original beauty!

Kelly Greene

3 weeks ago

Great communication and service!

Response from the owner:Kelly, thanks so much for the business and for the 5⭐️!

John Flournoy

4 weeks ago

They gave me a reasonable estimate for a wool rug. It was almost not worth it, seeing as I got it originally off Article, but better to not waste, right? They cleaned it then held it for me for a month while the room it was in was renovated (your mileage may vary). There was a damaged corner (dogs!!) that was too expensive to fully repair so the good fellow there sewed it up to at least protect it from unraveling. All the above and they are SO NICE. Also explained some differences to me between different rug weaves. They are ALL IN on rugs. Amazing stuff.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, John! We really appreciate the kind words and are glad we could help save your rug. Even when a full repair isn’t practical, we always want to help preserve it as best we can. It was great meeting you and talking rugs and thanks again for trusting us with it!

Cheri Attix

4 weeks ago

Response from the owner:Appreciate the rating, Cheri. It was a pleasure working with you.

Nancy Wissing

4 weeks ago

Great response, great customer service and our rug looks like new!

Response from the owner:Nancy, thanks for the review!

Peter Sorvas

1 month ago

Fantastic Job! We have a 8’ diameter circular asian rug that ’s 40 years old. It was dirty and the fringe was torn off from vacuuming. We took it to Zeytourian Rugs for cleaning & restoration. They did a fantastic job bringing the vibrant colors back to life. They replaced the white fringe and the rug looks brand new. Wouldn’t take it anywhere else.

Response from the owner:Hi Peter, thank you for trusting Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair with your 40-year-old circular Chinese rug. Restoring those vibrant colors and performing the professional fringe repair is exactly what we love doing. If you are looking for top-tier rug cleaning in San Diego, we are always here to help. We appreciate you choosing our expert team for your restoration needs!

Lily Robinson

1 month ago

Amazing customer service and absolutely a pleasure to do business with these gentlemen ❤️

Response from the owner:Hi Lily, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! We truly enjoyed working with you and are thrilled that you had such a positive experience with our team. Providing professional, high-quality rug care is our top priority at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair, and we just have to say, your puppy looks absolutely adorable on the rug! We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to assisting you again in the future.

Peggy Petersen

1 month ago

The company provided both pick-up and delivery which was a big help to me. The rugs really needed cleaning because it had been some time since they were last cleaned. I was amazed when they brought the living room rug back because it was beautiful. The colors were beautiful. The rug looked brand new so I was absolutely thrilled with the service. They also wrapped the other rug to get it ready for shipment to a different house. I will definitely use this company again whenever I need some of my rugs cleaned.

Response from the owner:Hi Peggy, thank you for the wonderful review! We are so pleased we could assist you with the pick-up and delivery of your rugs, and it was our pleasure to get them looking brand new again. We take great pride in our professional rug cleaning and preparation services here at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair, especially when it comes to getting rugs ready for shipment. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to helping you with your rug care needs in the future!

Gail Eyler

2 months ago

Super knowledgeable and experts in carpet cleaning. My silk rugs look new! They are a pleasure to do business with- very nice and great communicators. They are very professional, really care and are passionate about what they do.I highly recommend!

Response from the owner:Hi Gail, thank you so much for the kind words! We are thrilled to hear that your silk rugs look brand new and that you enjoyed working with our team. Providing professional, high-quality care is what we are most passionate about at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to assisting you again!

Grace Kording

2 months ago

Our wool rug was washed to perfection! It was full of dirt and sand when we dropped it off, and is good as new now. Very easy to communicate with the business as well. Thank you!

Response from the owner:Hi Grace, thank you for the wonderful review! We are so glad we could get your wool rug looking brand new again after removing all that dirt and sand. We take pride in our deep-cleaning process here at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair, and we are happy to hear that our communication made the experience easy for you. We look forward to working with you again!

Alexis Martin

2 months ago

This is, without question, the best service we have ever received from any company. I have trusted this family business with cleaning and repairing my area rugs for over 30 years, dating back to when the father first ran the company. Now that his sons have taken over the business, they have elevated an already outstanding operation to an entirely new level. Not only do they do an exceptional job cleaning, treating, and restoring rugs, but they also take extraordinary care during pickup and delivery. Furniture and décor are carefully moved and replaced, ensuring that everything is protected and returned exactly as it was. Watching these young men grow into kind, professional, and hardworking business owners has been truly special. I remember them as little boys, and now they are proudly carrying on their father’s legacy with integrity, dedication, and remarkable attention to detail. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

Response from the owner:Hi Alexis, thank you so much for such an incredibly touching review. It has been an absolute honor to serve your family for over 30 years, and we are deeply humbled to hear that you have watched us grow from little boys into the business owners we are today. Carrying on our father’s legacy with integrity and dedication is our greatest pride, and we are so grateful for your long-standing trust and support. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our story at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair; we look forward to continuing to provide you with the exceptional service you deserve!

Torch

2 months ago

I had an incredible experience here. Anthony and Alex are so kind and knowledgeable, and were great with answering all my questions. They brought my beloved rug back to life and taught me about how they do the cleaning and repair process. I never thought that some of the stains on my rug would come out but they worked their magic and it is back to its original beauty! This is the only place I will be going for any of my future rug needs. Thanks again!

Response from the owner:Hi Torch, thank you so much for the incredible review! It was truly our pleasure to work with you and help restore your beloved rug. We are so glad you enjoyed learning about our cleaning and repair process—educating our clients is one of the things we love most about what we do here at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair. We appreciate your kind words about Anthony and Alex and look forward to assisting you again in the future!

Alejandra Tano

2 months ago

They are so knowledgeable and provide excellent service. The first time the brothers came out I had lots of questions about the many rugs I inherited and they were patient and kind when answering them. We trust them completely with our antique handmade rugs, for cleaning and repairs, both of which we have had done on multiple rugs. I'm extremely satisfied with every single service they have provided, and their pricing is very fair. We are repeat customers and will continue to be as long as we have rugs. I'm so thankful we found them!

Response from the owner:Hi Alejandra, thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are honored to have earned your complete trust with your inherited antique handmade rugs. It has been a pleasure answering your questions and assisting you with all your cleaning and repair needs over the years. We truly value our repeat customers and are so glad you found us at Zeytounian Rug Cleaning & Repair—we look forward to continuing to provide you with excellent service!

Bruce Will

2 months ago

I got my rug back today. It looks fantastic! The brothers are very courteous and they made the whole procedure very easy for me.

Response from the owner:Thank you Bruce for the great review! Also thanks for trusting us with your oriental rug.

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

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