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 Merrifield, VA

*The Angi rating for Oriental Rug Cleaning companies in Merrifield, VA 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 Merrifield, VA 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 06, 2025

Reviewed in February 2024
Faisal was exceedingly friendly, professional, and accommodating during my rug cleaning and appraisal. He completed all services expeditiously and was 100% honest and up front with all costs and timelines. It almost goes without saying, but this guy really knows his rugs, too! As a cherry on...
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Reviewed in August 2023
I had my old handmade wool Chinese rug cleaned by Faisal, and it was transformative. The rug was so yellowed and dusty that it looked like it had been photoshopped in my before/after photo. I'm very sensitive to dust mites, so I was thrilled when I got the rug back and it smelled fresh. The only...
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Reviewed in July 2020
Fantastic!They were able to get out all the stains. This rug was in my dining room and has had 17 years of traffic, dogs and multiple spills. It loot brand new now
Ayoub Carpet Service
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Reviewed in March 2020
I had new fringe put on the rug as well as having the rug cleaned. It looks a lot better! Thank you.
Ayoub Carpet Service
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Reviewed in November 2009
I recommend them highly. They did a good job cleaning the rug. There is a special thing with these rugs, they have to be hand washed. We let them know we were shipping the rug from DC to Chicago and they took the extra step to double wrap it at no extra charge to us which was very helpful to us....
Ayoub Carpet Service
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Reviewed in June 2010
Found the company's name and recommendations on Angie's list. Called several times to set up repair and cleaning. Staff on phone and visiting my home were professional and polite. THey were efficient and did a thorough job. Repair work was slightly pricey but overall experience with cleaning and...
Ayoub Carpet Service
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Reviewed in October 2010
They offer pickup and delivery as part of their service. When they brought it back they made sure it was in the correct position over the pad. It looks really nice and the colors are less dull looking. They were very prompt, they did a good job, I thought the price was fair, and they were...
Ayoub Carpet Service
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Reviewed in January 2011
Ayoub Carpet was professional and finished on specified date. They gave a 20% discount for drop-off of carpet at their site.
Ayoub Carpet Service
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Reviewed in June 2011
Ayoub was fantastic. They arrived on time for pick up and were friendly and helpful. They looked at my rug and gave told me that the phone estimate was incorrect because I had mis-measured my rug. It actually cost about $150 less then the phone quote. I appreciated their honesty. The...
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Reviewed in October 2013
The Ayoub carpet technicians did a fabulous job on all carpets,rug and upholstery, the work they did was outstanding! My carpeting had not been cleaned for several years, the service we had been using was no longer availabe and I wasn't trusting of other services having had two wretched...
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Oriental rug cleaners in Merrifield

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

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