Can you use a rug shampoo on an oriental rug?

<div><p>You can use rug shampoo on an oriental rug, but you need to make sure you use a natural, non-abrasive shampoo. While other carpets made from synthetic fiber can stand up to harsh chemicals, the natural material—sheep’s wool, cotton, silk, or camel hair—that goes into an oriental rug will break down and get damaged if they come in contact with traditional rug shampoos. In many cases, it’s best to let a professional assess your carpet and determine which gentle shampoo would be most appropriate.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Oriental Rug Cleaning pros in San Diego, CA

*The Angi rating for Oriental Rug Cleaning companies in San Diego, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Oriental Rug Cleaning needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Oriental Rug Cleaning companies in San Diego, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Oriental Rug Cleaning needs.

Last update on April 07, 2025

Reviewed in July 2013
They did an awesome job. They also went above and cleaned a rug for us at no charge. He explained everything about what he was doing. He did a very professional job.
UpFront Home Services
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Reviewed in October 2017
We can't say enough good things about Jimmy. He arrived on time, assessed the situation and went to work. He showed us how the machine worked to clean the stone. They were able to get in all of the indentations in the natural stone and clean out all of the accumulated dirt. They also were able...
Silver Olas Carpet Tile Floor Cleaning
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Reviewed in November 2019
Very well. Matt was courteous, efficient, thorough and professional. He allowed me to add the cleaning of an upholstered chair and oriental wool rug to the job at the last minute.
Silver Olas Carpet Tile Floor Cleaning
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Reviewed in September 2022
This family provides really good service. This is the third time I've used them...for cleaning area rugs, tile flooring and a my husbands really gross recliner chair. They arrive on time, do the job and clean up everything before they leave. They prefer to set a time to come and discuss the...
Brown Family Chem-Dry
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Reviewed in October 2011
They’ve been doing work for us for the last 8 years, and they’ve been fantastic. They’re expensive, but what they do is worth it.
Tony's Best Way Cleaning
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Reviewed in March 2014
I was able to book service on the exact day and time I asked for. The technicians (two) showed up right on time and they were clean, polite and cheerful. They cleaned carpet that was heavily stained by pets. They moved furniture and put it back exactly where it belonged. They left a bottle...
Tony's Best Way Cleaning
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Reviewed in March 2015
The rugs were in need of cleaning. We had used a home cleaning machine about a year ago but it did not do a very satisfactory job. Tony's two employees moved furniture as needed, vacuumed, spot cleaned, cleaned, and protected the rugs. They returned the furniture and put pieces of plastic...
Tony's Best Way Cleaning
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Reviewed in June 2018
Excellent and thorough service. Techs were prompt and completed the work quickly without sacrificing quality. I had several rugs that were brought back to the store for cleaning and drying. They were returned the following week looking beautiful.
Tony's Best Way Cleaning
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Reviewed in April 2021
Brown Family Chem-Dry did an exceptional job with our very special area rugs! They are responsive, professional, detail oriented, do quality work and overall are such a pleasure to work with. We highly recommend them and plan to use them again for upholstery and carpets in the very near future.
Brown Family Chem-Dry
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Reviewed in March 2021
Fantastic the crew was exceptional went over the process very professional and worked quickly and efficiently the carpets have never looked so good. Can’t wait to have my tile cleaned.
Brown Family Chem-Dry
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Oriental rug cleaners in San Diego

Oriental rug cleaning services FAQs

You can use rug shampoo on an oriental rug, but you need to make sure you use a natural, non-abrasive shampoo. While other carpets made from synthetic fiber can stand up to harsh chemicals, the natural material—sheep’s wool, cotton, silk, or camel hair—that goes into an oriental rug will break down and get damaged if they come in contact with traditional rug shampoos. In many cases, it’s best to let a professional assess your carpet and determine which gentle shampoo would be most appropriate.

The average cost to have a professional clean an oriental rug is around $6 per square foot, and most cleaners charge between $5 and $9 per square foot. The size of your rug will be a major factor when it comes to cleaning costs. For example, a 6x9 foot rug will cost $320 on average, while a 9x12 foot rug will cost $650 or more.

The state of your oriental rug will also play a role, as rugs that are excessively dirty and haven’t been cleaned in years will take longer to clean and, therefore, cost more.

It’s possible to clean an oriental rug yourself, but it’s not recommended for two reasons. First, most DIYers only have access to rug shampoos and equipment like steam cleaners, which won’t provide the same deep clean that an industrial machine that shakes dust and dirt out of the fibers would. Second, using any harsh chemicals or shampoos that aren’t specifically made for oriental rugs could damage the material. It’s often a better idea to get an oriental rug professionally cleaned, as this reduces the risk of damage and provides a better clean.

The homeowners guide to oriental rug cleaning services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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