Since 1890, Martin has been the unparalleled answer to professionally clean and repair all Area Rugs.
For generations, our certified technicians continue to provide the highest quality services at competitive prices to keep your rugs looking brand new! We ensure meticulous care with your handwoven treasures, including Aubussons, Savonneries, tapestries, needlepoints, oriental and hooked rugs.
At Martin, from our initial inspection to thorough professional cleaning to grooming and delivery, we take the greatest care of your rugs. We are one of the few rug cleaners in the Midwest that offers the state-of-the-art MOR™ Rug Cleaning System. We also can custom clean your Dry Clean Only Rugs. Our fully-trained technicians can safely clean all rugs from: Persian, hand-knotted artisan, Karastan, Wilton, tufted, custom-bordered, machine-made and much more.
Area Rugs Experience Unique Wear in Short North Homes
Living in a vibrant urban neighborhood has advantages, but it also introduces specific challenges for interior textiles. Area rugs in Short North properties often absorb more airborne debris than homeowners realize. Open windows during warmer months, increased pedestrian activity nearby, renovation dust from evolving properties, and winter moisture tracked in from city sidewalks all contribute to gradual fiber contamination.
Even rugs that appear relatively clean can hold deeply embedded grit and allergens beneath the surface. Over time, these particles act like abrasives against the fibers. That slow deterioration can dull patterns, flatten texture, and shorten the life of the rug substantially.
Professional rug cleaning removes contaminants standard vacuuming cannot reach. Martin Carpet Cleaning Company utilizes a detailed inspection and cleaning process designed specifically for fine residential rugs, helping homeowners protect both appearance and structural integrity.
A Cleaning Process Designed Around the Rug Itself
Different rugs demand different treatment strategies. A wool Persian rug should never be cleaned the same way as a synthetic decorative rug or a delicate flatweave imported textile. One of the most important aspects of professional area rug cleaning is understanding how fibers, dyes, backing materials, and weaving techniques react to moisture, agitation, and cleaning agents.
Every rug serviced by Martin begins with a careful evaluation. Technicians inspect for fading, weakened fibers, staining concerns, fringe wear, pet contamination, and dye instability before any cleaning begins. This assessment allows the proper cleaning method to be selected before unnecessary damage can occur.
After inspection, dry soil removal becomes a critical step. Fine dust and abrasive grit settle deep into rug foundations long before visible discoloration appears. Removing that material prior to washing dramatically improves cleaning effectiveness while reducing unnecessary wear during the process.
From there, specialized treatments target spots, odors, and embedded contaminants. The rug then undergoes controlled washing and moisture extraction using advanced equipment designed to clean thoroughly while protecting the rug’s structure. Controlled drying conditions further help maintain shape, color clarity, and fiber resilience throughout the process.
Odor Removal Requires More Than Surface Cleaning
One of the most common frustrations homeowners face involves lingering odors trapped inside rugs. Pet accidents, smoke exposure, spills, and moisture can penetrate deep beneath the visible surface, settling into the rug foundation and padding below.
Store-bought products often mask odors temporarily while leaving the source untreated. Unfortunately, excess moisture from improper cleaning attempts can sometimes worsen the issue.
Martin Carpet Cleaning Company offers advanced rug odor removal and enzyme-based treatments that target odor-producing bacteria directly within the textile. These specialized processes are designed to neutralize difficult odors while remaining safe for many natural and synthetic rug fibers. For households with pets in active downtown living environments, professional odor treatment can dramatically improve indoor freshness without risking damage to valuable rugs.
Protecting Investment Pieces and Handmade Rugs
Many residents in Short North intentionally curate their interiors with distinctive furniture and artisan décor. Handmade rugs often serve as centerpiece elements within these spaces. Unfortunately, improper cleaning methods can permanently damage fringe work, distort dyes, shrink fibers, or weaken foundations.
Professional area rug cleaning helps preserve the craftsmanship and value of these pieces. Martin Carpet Cleaning Company has extensive experience cleaning Oriental rugs, hooked rugs, tapestries, needlepoints, and other specialty textiles requiring delicate handling and customized treatment methods.
Routine professional maintenance not only improves appearance but may also help extend the lifespan of heirloom and investment-quality rugs significantly.
What Homeowners Can Expect During Service
A professional rug cleaning experience should feel organized, transparent, and low stress. Homeowners throughout Short North appreciate knowing their rugs are handled carefully from beginning to end.
The process typically includes a detailed pre-inspection, customized cleaning recommendations, targeted spot treatment, controlled drying, and final quality evaluation before the rug is returned. Communication remains an important part of the experience, particularly when dealing with delicate fibers, specialty stains, or older rugs requiring extra care.
For homeowners balancing demanding schedules, professional rug cleaning also removes the uncertainty and risk associated with attempting deep cleaning independently.
Bring New Life Back Into Your Home
A freshly cleaned rug changes the atmosphere of a room almost immediately. Colors regain depth, fibers feel softer underfoot, and the entire space feels lighter, healthier, and more refined. Whether your rug has accumulated years of city dust, absorbed pet odors, or simply lost its original brilliance over time, expert care can make an extraordinary difference.
Martin Carpet Cleaning Company proudly serves homeowners throughout Short North with specialized residential area rug cleaning designed to protect both beauty and durability. If your rugs deserve more than quick surface cleaning, now is the perfect time to schedule professional care. Reach out today to discuss your rug’s condition, request an estimate, or reserve a convenient cleaning appointment before upcoming availability fills.
Pre-Inspection
The first step in preparing your rug for cleaning is a thorough inspection. Each area rug is carefully hand inspected for tears, holes, dye fade, abrasions, pet contamination and areas that call for special cleaning attention. Furthermore, all rugs are tested for color fastness to ensure the dyes in the rugs will not bleed.
Dry Soil Removal
This is the most important step in the rug cleaning process. The rug duster gently removes loose soil, grit, dust mites, and allergens. Did you know that a standard 8×10 area rug can hold up to 90 pounds of dirt before it even looks dirty?
This step greatly improves the indoor air quality of your home and the health of your family. Also, having all the grit, soil, and dirt removed prevents your rug fibers from being cut and wearing out prematurely.
Pre-Conditioning and Spotting
After the rug leaves the duster it is layed out and inspected for areas of special concern. All spots are pre-treated with special solutions designed to maximize chances of removal. The fringes are also pre-treated for maximum cleaning effectiveness.
Rotary Brush Agitation
During this step, the rug is gently scrubbed using a rotary brush and a specifically formulated shampoo which is pH balanced to protect the natural fibers of the rug while providing maximum cleaning effectiveness.
Mor Roll-A-Jet Flat Bed Rug Washer
The rug is then transported through our Mor Roll-A-Jet flatbed area rug washer. This machine was specially made for Martin Carpet Cleaning, and designed to imitate and improve upon the traditional and most effective methods for area rug cleaning. The machine performs 4 steps:
01. First a specially-formulated detergent solution is applied under pressure.
02. Then soft rubber rollers, with a back and forth motion, gently agitate the soil out of the rug pile.
03. This is followed by a thorough cold water rinse.
04. The final step is the removal of excess water as the rug travels through two large rollers which act as “squeegees”.
Controlled Drying
After leaving the machine, your rug is now dried in our state-of-the-art heat and humidity controlled drying tower. This step allows for rapid and controlled drying to preserve the strength and longevity of your rug.
Final Inspection
During this process, our expertly-trained inspector ensures that our stringent cleaning standards have been met. If our inspector discovers any issues, the rug is returned to be re-cleaned through the same process.
Why Professional Area Rug Cleaning?
In-home cleaning alone will not rid your home of the following:
Bacteria – Up to 200,000 bacteria per square inch may live in your area rugs.
Viruses – Norovirus can survive in your dirty area rugs for months.
Dead Skin and Dust Mites – The average person sheds nearly 1.5 million skin flakes an hour, most of which becomes embedded in our carpets which dust mites feed on.
