INSPECT Simonian Rugs  ·  Step 01  ·  Every Rug, Every Time

We identify
before we
touch it.

This is what separates Simonian from every other rug cleaner in the Bay Area. Most cleaners treat every rug the same. We never have — and never will.

70+ Years reading rugs
100+ Rug types we handle
6 Inspection dimensions
Next: The Works → Walk in any time →
Our Philosophy
“We identify before we touch. This is where other cleaners fail — and where we begin.”

The dyes in a 200-year-old Persian Tabriz behave completely differently from a modern Indian wool rug or a Navajo flat-weave. One wrong chemical and you've done irreversible damage.

This is why professional cleaners bring their most difficult rugs to us. It starts here, at the inspection table, with eyes that have been reading rugs for seven decades.

The inspection isn't a step in our process. It is the foundation of everything we do.

What we catch before cleaning
→ Fugitive dyes that would bleed
→ Latex backings that can't tolerate immersion
→ Brittle antique foundations needing gentle tension
→ Aniline dyes requiring specialized handling
→ Pre-existing damage to document
→ Viscose pile that must never be aggressively cleaned
Free for every rug, every visit
Walk in with your rug and we begin immediately. No appointment needed. The inspection is always included — no charge, no obligation.
6 Inspection Dimensions

What your inspection covers.

Every rug goes through all six dimensions — skipping any one of them is how other cleaners cause damage. This is the complete picture we build before any cleaning begins.

01
Region & Origin
Where a rug was made determines the knot type, fiber source, dye chemistry, and structural tolerance. A Persian Tabriz uses the asymmetric knot with wool pile on a cotton foundation — completely different from a Tibetan gabbeh or a Navajo flat-weave. The wrong cleaning approach for either can cause irreversible damage.
Persia  ·  Turkey  ·  India  ·  Nepal  ·  Morocco  ·  China  ·  +7 more
02
Dye Stability
Natural vegetable dyes, synthetic chrome dyes, and aniline dyes all behave differently when wet. We test every color zone for colorfastness before any moisture is introduced. Aniline dyes — common in early 20th century pieces — are especially fugitive and require specialized handling.
Vegetable  ·  Synthetic  ·  Aniline  ·  Chrome  ·  Acid dyes
03
Construction Type
Hand-knotted rugs have no backing — the pile is the structure. Hand-tufted rugs have a latex backing that can separate if improperly wet. Flat-woven kilims have no pile and dry very differently. Machine-made rugs have synthetic foundations that can warp. Each requires completely different tension, pH, and drying protocols.
Hand-knotted  ·  Hand-tufted  ·  Flat-woven  ·  Machine-made
04
Materials & Fiber
Wool tolerates alkaline solutions that would destroy silk. Silk requires pH-neutral chemistry only. Viscose — often called “art silk” — looks like silk but is extremely fragile when wet. Knowing the fiber determines every product and tool we reach for throughout the entire cleaning process.
Wool  ·  Silk  ·  Cotton  ·  Viscose  ·  Synthetic blends
05
Age & Sensitivity
Rugs over 100 years old are antiques. Their foundations are brittle, their dyes have aged, and their patina — the gentle mellowing of color that takes a century to develop — can be destroyed by modern machinery in seconds. We've been trusted by museums and estate managers since 1956.
Antique (100+ yrs)  ·  Semi-antique  ·  Vintage  ·  Contemporary
06
Spots, Stains & Damage
Every spot, stain, pet accident, and area of structural damage is documented before cleaning begins — with photos. We identify whether stains are water-soluble, protein-based, oil-based, or oxidized. You receive a clear written service plan with confirmed pricing before any work starts.
Stain ID  ·  Structural assessment  ·  Photo documentation
939 N. Amphlett  ·  San Mateo  ·  Est. 1956

Where 70 years of expertise begins — at the inspection table.

Walk in with your rug during business hours. The inspection starts immediately, at no charge.

Know Your Rug

What type of rug do you have?

Not sure? We'll identify it for free at drop-off. Here's how each type is different — and why it matters for cleaning.

01
Hand-Knotted
Individual knots tied by hand on a loom — one at a time. Can take months to years to make. The back mirrors the front design exactly. The highest quality rugs in the world are hand-knotted. Persian, Turkish, Tibetan, Moroccan, Navajo.
How we clean:
Full immersion  ·  Front and back  ·  The Works or The Refresh
02
Hand-Tufted
Made with a tufting gun that pushes yarn through a backing canvas. Has a latex backing covered with canvas. Not as durable as hand-knotted. Popular mid-range option found in most major retailers and design stores.
How we clean:
Specialized care for latex backing  ·  Gentle tension drying  ·  Lower moisture
03
Flat-Woven & Kilim
No pile — weft threads are woven tightly through the warp. Reversible — same design on both sides. Includes Kilim, Dhurrie, Soumak, and Zapotec weaves. Often tribal or geometric designs. Very different drying behavior than pile rugs.
How we clean:
Lower moisture  ·  Careful tension  ·  Dries faster than pile rugs
04
Machine-Made & Custom-Cut
Power-loomed with synthetic or blended fibers. Includes broadloom carpet cut and finished with a serged or bound border to create a custom area rug. A practical and popular option with typically stable synthetic dyes.
How we clean:
Lower bleed risk  ·  Eligible for The Works & The Refresh  ·  Some cleanable on-site
Not sure which type you have?
Bring it in — we'll identify it for free.
Why this separates us

What happens when a cleaner skips the inspection.

Most rug cleaners — even experienced ones — skip a formal inspection and go straight to cleaning. The result is a gamble every single time.

We've seen it repeatedly: a rug comes back from another cleaner with colors that have run, a backing that has separated, or fringe that has disintegrated. In some cases the damage is permanent.

Since 1956, our reputation has been built on not gambling with your rugs. The inspection isn't optional. It is the foundation of everything we do.

Book your inspection →
Common Scenario
Persian rug — unsure of age
Our inspection identifies it as a mid-century Isfahan, vegetable-dyed wool on cotton foundation. Foundation in good condition but slightly brittle. Aniline dyes in the blue field requiring careful pre-testing.
Recommendation: The Works, with extra care around fringe.
Job complete with no surprises.
Common Scenario
Insurance claim rug — water damage
Inspection documents pre-existing condition with photos for the claims file. Identifies secondary mold risk in the foundation. Full report provided for insurance adjuster.
Recommendation: Emergency cleaning plus enzyme treatment.
Customer relieved — everything documented, nothing disputed.
When you bring your rug in

What happens at drop-off.

Clear, immediate, no mystery. This is your first visit — here's exactly what to expect from the moment you walk in.

01
Initial Walk-Through
We unroll your rug and look at it together. Size, approximate origin, and overall condition are noted. We walk you through what we see right there at drop-off — no mystery.
02
Full Inspection
The detailed assessment across all six dimensions. Every spot documented with photos. Fiber identification confirmed. Age and construction verified.
03
Service Recommendation
Based on the inspection, we recommend the right cleaning approach — The Works, The Refresh, or Specialty. We explain why each element of the plan matters for your specific rug.
04
Your Approval
Final pricing confirmed. You approve the plan before we begin. Nothing happens to your rug without your sign-off. We then tag and track your rug through every step of the process.
Walk in any time

Start with the inspection.
Everything else follows.

No appointment needed. Walk in during business hours and we begin immediately. Monday through Friday 8am–4:30pm, Saturday 9am–1pm.

Get Started → (650) 343-0929
939 N. Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo  ·  Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm  ·  Sat 9am–1pm