What materials is the rug made of? A rug made of synthetic fibers will cost less to clean than a rug made of wool or silk, because more care must be taken not to damage the natural fibers. Because Oriental rugs use vegetable dyes, the cleaning solution has to be specially selected so the dyes will not run during the cleaning. The size of the rug will also determine the rug cleaning price since the square footage is am important factor in the cost.
Is the Oriental rug an antique, or is it relatively new? An heirloom rug more than 50 years old may cost more to clean than a newer rug because of the condition of the pile is more fragile. Similarly, rugs in high-traffic areas, such as a dining room or hallway, have sustained more wear and tear and collected more dirt than rugs in low-traffic areas such as a bedroom. To keep these rugs looking fresh, pre-cleaning work may be required on the highly trafficked areas of the rug.
Does the rug have any staining or spots? These will need to be pre-treated and cleaned by hand. The price for this service may vary based on the type and size of the stain, and may be higher if the stain resulted in discoloration or damage to the rug fibers. Some stains, such urine stains from pet accidents, require a special cleaning process and may cost slightly higher than other stains.
Does the rug require additional work to return it to its former glory? Any repairs or color restoration work will carry an additional cost besides the cost of cleaning the rug. Small repairs can revive a old rug. Some repairs like binding are important because the side binding helps keep the rug weaving tight and is essentail to maintain its structure.