How we do it
Every rug is assessed as an object, not a small carpet.
Rugs can look simple while hiding very different constructions. Before accepting an in-home clean, we ask for the dimensions, photographs of the front and back, the care label and any information about fibre or origin. Wool, viscose, cotton, synthetic pile and mixed fibres respond differently to moisture and agitation. Fringes, glued backings, unstable dyes and hand-knotted construction can change the safe method completely. Valuable, antique or colour-unstable pieces may need workshop treatment instead.
At the property, the rug is inspected in good light and checked for pre-existing wear, colour movement, pet contamination and damaged edges. Dry soil is removed before any wet process because grit settles deep around the base of the pile. A colour-fastness test is made where needed. Treatment is then applied evenly with controlled moisture, working with the pile rather than scrubbing against it. Fringes are handled separately and are never promised to return to an artificial bright white.
The floor beneath the rug also matters. We protect sensitive timber and do not leave a damp textile sitting on a vulnerable finish. If the rug cannot be moved safely, access and expectations are agreed before work starts. Strong odours or contamination may require treatment on both sides and cannot always be resolved in one in-home visit. Shrinkage risk, browning and dye bleed are reasons to stop and recommend a specialist route rather than experiment.
After cleaning, the pile is set neatly and airflow is arranged around the whole piece. We explain when it can be walked on or returned to its usual position, and why underlay must be fully dry. The final check records stains that are permanent, worn areas that cleaning has revealed and any edge repair that belongs with a rug conservator. Careful rug cleaning is measured by material safety and an even result, not by treating every textile with the same machine.