Our 10-Step Rug Washing Process

Fiber Specialties cleans every rug through a controlled, multi-step process: pre-inspection, advanced dusting, spot treatment, full-immersion hand-washing, thorough rinsing and pH balancing, controlled drying, and hand grooming, performed by Certified Master Rug Cleaners in our 6,000 sq ft Boise facility.

★★★★★ 5.0 Google rating 303 reviews 2 Certified Master Rug Cleaners

Certifications and service details current for 2026.

A rug being full-immersion hand-washed on the wash floor at the Fiber Specialties Boise facility
Full-immersion hand-wash
Spot treatment applied to a rug before full-immersion washing
Spot treatment
A cleaned rug in controlled drying to prevent shrinkage and color bleed
Controlled drying
A large Kerman rug laid out on the wash floor at the Fiber Specialties Boise facility
Final inspection

Old-world craftsmanship, modern precision

Because of our expertise, textiles are sent to us by local cleaners and by clients across the country. Every item receives meticulous attention, combining advanced techniques with old-world craftsmanship and premium, fiber-safe solutions.

Nothing runs through a conveyor here. Each rug is washed by hand by a team holding Certified Master Rug Cleaner, IICRC, and WoolSafe credentials, and every stage below, dusting through grooming, happens under one roof at our Boise facility.

A fine silk pictorial rug cleaned by hand at the Fiber Specialties Boise facility

1. Pre-inspection & customized plan

Every rug undergoes a thorough pre-inspection by a trained specialist and a Certified Master Rug Cleaner. We assess fiber, construction, dye stability, and condition, then prepare a detailed written report with photos and a recommended cleaning plan, so you receive a customized estimate for approval before any work begins.

2. Advanced dusting

Before any wet washing, we remove dry dust, dirt, and debris to prevent mud from forming during the wash. Using modern versions of century-old dusting techniques, we lift the abrasive grit trapped deep in the fibers and foundation, protecting the rug from unnecessary abrasion and ensuring the most effective clean.

A blue Chinese rug on the dusting rack at the Fiber Specialties Boise facility before its wash
Dry soil comes out first, on the dusting rack, before the rug ever touches water.

3. Spot & pre-conditioning treatment

We analyze high-traffic areas and apply targeted treatments for stains, odors, and soiling. This pre-conditioning breaks down contaminants, bacteria, and specific stains so they release more completely during the main wash.

Pet urine is treated at this stage too. Because it soaks all the way through to the back of the rug, surface cleaning only moves it around, see pet odor & stain removal for how immersion flushes it out of the foundation instead.

What immersion flushes out

We rinse until the water runs clear. The soil you can see leaving is the point.

4. Full-immersion hand-washing

Unlike mass rug-cleaning machines, we hand-wash each rug. Our cleaning agents are chosen to be environmentally friendly and compatible with the rug’s fibers, dyes, and construction, keeping fibers healthy and colors vibrant while removing the maximum amount of soil and contaminants.

5. Rinsing & pH balancing

We rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear and balance the rug’s pH for long-term fiber health, ensuring no residue is left behind to attract future soil.

6. Controlled drying & grooming

The rug is dried flat in a controlled environment to protect its foundation and shape, then hand-groomed so the pile lies evenly and looks its best on delivery.

Controlled drying is the step most rugs never get. Drying in the sun or on a driveway is what lets dyes migrate and leaves the foundation damp, the reason a rug can come back from a bad cleaning smelling musty. Ours dry indoors, flat, under conditions we manage.

Rugs drying flat under controlled conditions inside the Boise facility

Washed by hand, in Boise

Every rug is dusted, dye-tested, and full-immersion washed by hand, never surface-cleaned in place.

6,000sq ft facility
2Master Rug Cleaners
7-10business days typical
5.0303 Google reviews
Before and after on one rug corner: a frayed, unravelling end and the same corner rebuilt and bound

“I brought in several older rugs that had not been cleaned in years and they now look very clean and much more vivid in color.”

Verified Google review · 5.0★ from 303 reviews

How long the process takes

Most rugs: 7-10 business days

The standard turnaround runs 7 to 10 business days from pickup to delivery. That window covers inspection, dusting, spot treatment, the full-immersion wash, rinsing, controlled drying, and grooming.

Antiques and heavy pet contamination

Fragile antiques and rugs saturated with pet urine need extra dye testing, longer treatment, and slower drying, so they sit outside the standard window. We give you a realistic date once the rug has been inspected.

Rugs that also need repair

If the inspection finds worn fringe, failing edges, or foundation damage, repair work is scheduled around the wash and quoted separately, with its own timeline in the same written estimate.

What it costs, and when you find out

We price rug cleaning by the square foot, and you get an exact written price before any cleaning begins, no hidden fees and no obligation to proceed once you have seen it. Pickup, delivery, and the written inspection quote are free across the Treasure Valley, and rugs shipped to us from anywhere in the country are quoted the same way.

Rug washing process questions

What is full-immersion rug washing?

The rug is fully submerged in water and washed by hand, rather than surface cleaned in place. Immersion flushes soil and pet contamination out of the foundation of the rug instead of moving it around on the surface, which is what on-location methods do.

Why not clean the rug in my home?

A fine rug holds pounds of dry soil deep in its foundation, and pet urine soaks all the way through to the back. Neither can be flushed out without submerging and rinsing the rug, and controlled drying afterwards is what prevents dye migration.

Will washing damage the dyes or fibers?

Not when the method matches the rug. We test dyes before washing and use pH-correct, color-safe products, and our team holds Certified Master Rug Cleaner, IICRC, and WoolSafe credentials. Wool, silk, cotton, and synthetic rugs each get a different approach.

How is the rug dried?

Under controlled conditions at our Boise facility, not in the sun or on a driveway. Controlled drying is what keeps dyes from migrating and stops the foundation staying damp, which is the cause of the musty smell rugs pick up after a bad cleaning.

Ready to bring your rug back to life?

Free pickup & delivery across the Treasure Valley. Certified Master Rug Cleaners.