Antique rug cleaning in Toronto
An old rug deserves a closer look first. Our antique rug cleaning begins with a careful inspection at our facility, and no repair happens without your OK.
About antique rugs
Old rugs age in different ways
Some are still sturdy. Some are worn thin.
An antique rug may have been walked on for decades. Some still feel firm and supple, while others have thin patches, brittle edges, loose fringe or old repairs.
So we never treat an old rug as if it were new. We go through it inch by inch, then say what we think it needs and, just as important, what it doesn’t.
- Thin or worn pile
- Weak edges and fringe
- Older dyes
- Past repairs
For antique Persian rug cleaning, see how we look after Persian and Oriental rugs.
Fragile rugs
Is it too fragile to wash?
We see it first, then you decide.
Vintage rug cleaning is often routine. With some antiques, the threads underneath are so worn that a wash could do harm.
Photos help, but with a fragile rug we need to see it in person. Once it’s at our facility, we go through it carefully and explain what could happen in the wash. From there you decide, and if you’d rather not go ahead, the return trip is free.
- Tell us what you know about it
- Mention any worries at pickup
- Leave loose threads uncut
- Don’t try to clean stains first
How we clean it
Washed with care for its age
The usual steps, just taken more slowly.
Colours are a common worry with an old rug. At our facility, we inspect each one to judge whether its dyes might run, and if that looks possible, we tell you before we go ahead. It isn’t always possible to tell, on a damaged rug for example, so if the colours worry you, mention it at pickup.
A regular wash comes first. If a stain is still there afterwards, stain treatment comes next, with your OK. Silk and viscose stains almost always need it.
Step by step
Check
Pile, back, edges, fringe and any old repairs.
Wash
A regular wash first, then stains, with your OK.
Dry
Indoors, no high heat, until dry right through.
Fringe
Cleaned with the rug, extra treatment once dry.
Repair & restoration
Antique rug repair
Restoration and reweaving are specialist work, usually worth it on a valuable rug.
We repair rugs of every kind, and we can fully restore a hand-made rug. Restoration, moth repair and reweaving are specialist work, so they’re usually worth it for valuable, antique or art rugs. On an antique rug, restoration can take several months.
Each repair begins with a full wash, which clears out loose fibres and brings hidden moth damage to light, so the repair can be done properly. We size up the work once we’ve seen your rug, so tell us about it, or book a free pickup.
What we repair
Asking about colour restoration? We take it case by case: we need to see the rug first, and even then we can’t promise the result.
Extra care
Repairs, moths and stains
Older rugs often need a little more care. Each extra step is your choice, and only done with your OK.
Rug types
Other rugs we clean
No two rugs are made alike, so we check each one before we wash it.
Persian
Deep reds and blues, fine knots. A gentle wash, fringe included.
Oriental
Hand-made rugs from Turkey to China, kilims included.
Silk
Fine and delicate, with a natural sheen. It gets our gentlest handling.
Wool
Warm and hard-wearing, but it holds grit deep down and needs a thorough wash.
Not sure what your rug is? Most people aren’t. We check each rug before washing.
Questions
Antique rug questions
The questions we’re asked most often, answered the way we would on the phone.
Can you clean a very old or fragile rug?
Yes, as long as you know what could happen. We assess it first, and if we think a wash could harm yours, we explain why ahead of time. Then the choice is yours: we wash it, or the return trip is free.
Will the colours run in the wash?
Colours can be a worry with an old rug. At our facility, each rug is inspected so we can judge whether its colours might run, and if it looks possible, we talk to you before going ahead. It isn’t always possible to tell, for example on a damaged rug, so please mention any concern at pickup. Colour that bleeds isn’t covered by our stain promise*.
Can you repair or restore an antique rug?
We repair fringe, edges, holes and moth damage, and we fully restore hand-made rugs. Restoration is specialist work, usually worth it on a valuable, antique or art rug. Every repair starts with a full wash. If your rug is fragile, we assess it first and explain what could happen in the wash. Repairs are sized up once we’ve seen the rug, so call us and tell us about yours. About rug repair.
How much does antique rug cleaning cost in Toronto?
Antique rug cleaning in Toronto is priced like any other rug: by its size, not its age. Repairs and any stain or enzyme odour treatment are extras we agree with you first, and the price we agree on is the price you pay. Text us a photo with the rug’s dimensions, or add the rug size in the booking form, and we’ll reply with an estimate.
Ready for a cleaner rug?
Book a free pickup online or give us a call, and leave the carrying to us.