Oriental Rug Cleaning for Grand Rapids & West Michigan
Since 1982, Rugs by Shahan has cleaned oriental rugs by hand for homes in Grand Rapids, Holland and across West Michigan. We pick your rug up for free, wash it using traditional methods with no harsh detergents or chemicals, and bring it back clean.
Call for a free pickup · 231.638.7833
Our oriental rug cleaning process
Fine oriental rugs are durable, but they aren't built like the commercial carpet most cleaners are set up for. We know how these rugs are made and what natural fibers and dyes they use, so we clean each one the way it needs.
At our facility, not on your floor
It's where a rug can be cleaned properly.
By hand, with traditional methods
Never with a carpet machine.
No harsh detergents or chemicals
Nothing is left in the fibers when the rug comes home. That matters on a rug where children play and pets sleep.
Picked up and brought back free
Anywhere in West Michigan.
Why oriental rugs need hand cleaning
A true oriental rug is made by hand, one knot at a time, on a foundation of cotton or wool threads. The pile is usually wool, sometimes silk, and the colors often come from natural dyes. That is what gives these rugs their depth and their long life. It is also why they can't be cleaned like carpet.
Wool holds fine, gritty soil deep at the base of the pile, where a surface clean never reaches. Natural dyes can run with heat or the wrong product. And a cotton foundation that stays damp too long can weaken. Cleaning an oriental rug well means knowing all three and working with them, not against them.
Persian, wool, silk and antique rugs
We clean all kinds of oriental rugs, from everyday wool rugs to family heirlooms.
Persian and wool rugs
Most oriental rugs have a wool pile. Wool is a natural protein fiber, much like hair, and it cleans beautifully when it is washed gently and rinsed well. Strong carpet products do the opposite: they can leave wool rough, dull or faded.
Silk rugs
Silk gives a rug its shine, and it is the most delicate fiber of all. The wrong treatment can dull it, stiffen it or leave water marks. Let us know when you call if your rug is silk or has silk highlights.
Antique rugs
An older rug may have a tired foundation, worn areas or colors that have faded unevenly. We handle these with extra care. We'll let you know about any wear we see, so you can decide whether it should be repaired.
Handmade rugs
Hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs need specific techniques to get clean while protecting the weave, fringe and color. Whether yours came from a store, a trip abroad or a grandparent, we clean it with the same care as a fine oriental.
Not sure if your rug is handmade? Turn it over. On a hand-knotted rug the pattern shows clearly on the back, knot by knot.
Fringe and edges
Fringe is the end of the rug's foundation, so it wears with every footstep, vacuuming and cleaning. Darkened or thinning fringe is common. Along with cleaning, we repair fringe and worn edges and replace fringe when it's past saving. Regular care keeps a good rug in use for decades.
Why not a carpet cleaner?
Carpet cleaners are set up for wall-to-wall carpet, cleaned where it lies with hot water and strong products. On an oriental rug that can leave soil deep in the pile, soak the foundation, make dyes bleed and leave the wool rough. A rug needs to be washed front and back and dried properly, and that can't be done on your floor.
Our article on area rug cleaning vs. carpet cleaning explains the difference in more detail. If you're booking a carpet cleaner anyway, have them do the carpet and leave the good rugs to us.
Free pickup and delivery, Grand Rapids to Holland
You never have to leave your house. Call for a quote, and our van comes to your home. We serve Grand Rapids, Holland and all of West Michigan, including Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Mason counties, and pickup and delivery are free throughout.
"You did such a good job cleaning and repairing my rugs."
Mary Craig · Grand Haven, MI
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Frequently asked questions
How much does oriental rug cleaning cost?
It depends on the rug's size, type and condition. Call with those details and we'll give you a price over the phone.
Can you clean my oriental rug in my home?
No. It's best for us to take the rug to our facility so we can clean it properly. Pickup and delivery are free.
Can I drop my rug off?
We don't take drop-offs. We come to you instead, and pickup and delivery are free across West Michigan.
Is my old oriental rug valuable?
It depends on the rug's type, age, origin and condition. We offer appraisals, and we may be able to buy or trade it.
Is the cleaning safe for kids and pets?
Yes. We wash every rug by hand with no harsh detergents or chemicals, so nothing is left behind in the fibers.