Persian Rug Cleaning | Tabriz, Kashan, Isfahan, Heriz

145+

Years in Business

Cleaning fine Persian rugs since 1881.

4

Generations

Same family, same standards, four generations of training.

Top 8

Nationally Recognized

Listed by the Oriental Rug Buyers Guide as one of the country's top rug cleaners.

BBB

Accredited

Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, Memphis chapter.

Fine Persian rugs are among the most carefully constructed textiles in the world. Knot densities of 300, 500, even 800 knots per square inch are common in city pieces from Tabriz, Isfahan, and Qom. Many use natural vegetal dyes that have been refined over centuries — and that react badly to the harsh chemistry chain rug cleaners use. Silk highlights are routine in fine pieces; full-silk construction is common in the most valuable. None of this is forgiving of generic cleaning methods.

Fred Remmers Rug Cleaners has been cleaning Persian rugs since 1881. Four generations of family training. Every Persian we receive is inspected for construction, dye-tested before any wet cleaning, and assigned to the cleaning method appropriate for its specific knot count, fiber composition, and condition. Generic oriental rug methods are too aggressive for fine Persians, and the consequences of using them — color run, fiber damage, foundation cracking — are often permanent.

We work with the full range of Persian traditions: city rugs (Tabriz, Kashan, Isfahan, Qom, Nain, Mashhad, Kerman), village rugs (Heriz, Bijar, Hamadan, Senneh), and tribal pieces (Qashqai, Bakhtiari, Afshar, Baluchi). Each has its own materials, knot styles, and cleaning sensitivities. We have decades of hands-on experience with all of them, and every cleaning is tailored to the specific rug — never one-size-fits-all.

Need Persian rug repair instead? See our rug repair page. Need an appraisal? See our rug appraisal page. For repair work, see our Persian rug repair page. For a written valuation, see our Persian rug appraisal page.

Persian Regional Traditions

Hand cleaning for every Persian weaving region.

Each region has distinct knot density, materials, and cleaning sensitivities. We tailor the wash for each.

Tabriz

Northwestern Iranian city rugs, known for the highest range of knot densities (often 300–500 KPSI). Frequently incorporate silk highlights. Conservative chemistry, careful drying.

Kashan, Isfahan, Nain, Qom

Central Iranian city rugs — fine wool on cotton foundation, often with silk highlights. Qom is frequently full-silk. All require the most conservative cleaning approach.

Heriz, Bijar

Northwestern village rugs with bold geometric patterns, robust construction, and durable wool. Known for traditionally rust-red madder dyes that can be fugitive — full dye testing required.

Mashhad, Kerman

Eastern and southeastern city rugs with curvilinear floral designs. Often higher pile and softer wool. Standard fine-rug methods with attention to dye stability.

Hamadan, Senneh

Western village and town rugs, traditionally single-wefted construction. Generally robust but older pieces have natural-dye fading and require gentle handling.

Tribal — Qashqai, Bakhtiari, Baluch, Afshar

Nomadic weaves with distinct symmetrical knotting and natural-dye palette. Wool foundations are common (vs. cotton in city rugs). We adapt the wash for the construction.

Our Process

The Persian rug cleaning method refined since 1881.

1. Construction analysis

Knot count, foundation (cotton, wool, silk), pile fiber, and regional origin — each affects the cleaning method.

2. Dye-stability testing

Every color tested for fugitiveness. Persian natural dyes — particularly indigo, madder, and walnut — frequently bleed without proper handling.

3. Hand-dusting

Removes the embedded grit that home vacuuming cannot reach. Pounds of fine particulate per rug is typical.

4. Hand pre-treatment

Targeted stain removal with chemistry chosen for the rug's specific dyes and fibers. Never aggressive scrubbing.

5. Wash

Full-immersion wash for stable construction, surface wash for delicate antiques and fugitive-dye pieces. Cool water for silk.

6. Controlled drying & finishing

Drying in a controlled-humidity room. Final inspection and any necessary fringe touch-up before delivery.

Where We Serve

Persian rug cleaning across 5 metros.

Hand-finished cleaning for persian rugs in every market we serve. Free pick-up, free delivery.

Tennessee · HQ Memphis Mid-South's oldest rug specialist Middle Tennessee Nashville Belle Meade, Brentwood, Franklin OKC Metro Oklahoma City Edmond to Norman, rare expertise Northeast Oklahoma Tulsa Maple Ridge, Brookside antique specialty DFW Metroplex Dallas Highland Park to Frisco, high-value collections

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

How is Persian rug cleaning different from regular oriental rug cleaning?

Persian rugs typically have higher knot density (300 to 800 knots per square inch is common in city rugs), often use natural dyes that can be fugitive, and frequently include silk highlights or full-silk construction. These factors require gentler chemistry, slower wash cycles, and dye-stability testing on every color before any wet cleaning begins. Generic oriental rug methods are too aggressive for fine Persians.

Can you clean a silk Persian rug?

Yes — silk and silk-highlighted Persians are part of our regular work. Silk requires low-pH chemistry, cool water, and shortened wash cycles to prevent fiber damage. Pure silk pieces (often Qom, Hereke, fine Tabriz) get the most conservative treatment we offer.

How much does Persian rug cleaning cost?

Pricing depends on size, fiber (wool, silk, mixed), construction, and condition. Most fine Persians fall in the standard rug-cleaning price range; silk and antique pieces are quoted individually because they require additional time and conservative methods. We always provide a written estimate before any work begins.

What if my Persian rug has bleeding colors?

Color bleeding (fugitive dye) is very common in older Persian rugs and is one of the main reasons we test every color before wet cleaning. If we identify a bleeding dye, we use stabilization chemistry first, then a controlled wash that prevents the bleed from migrating into other colors. We can also correct existing color run damage on rugs that have already bled.

Do you clean antique Persian rugs?

Yes — antique Persians are a specialty. We approach antique cleaning conservatively to preserve original character: we never use aggressive chemistry, never use hot water, and never clean a structurally compromised piece without addressing the structure first. Documented before-and-after photos are standard for antique work.

Service Area

Available across five metros.

Free pick-up and delivery in every city we serve. Tap a city for local details and your nearest phone number.

Tennessee Memphis (901) 278-3704 Tennessee Nashville (615) 730-8515 Oklahoma Oklahoma City (405) 972-3150 Oklahoma Tulsa (918) 973-5460 Texas Dallas (972) 532-8940

Persian Rug Cleaning since 1881.