Rug repair tools
Expert Craftsmanship

Professional Rug Repair & Restoration Services

Restore your treasured Oriental and area rugs to their original beauty. Our skilled artisans use traditional techniques passed down through generations to repair frayed edges, damaged fringes, holes, and worn areas.

32+
Years Experience
10,000+
Rugs Cleaned
100%
Satisfaction Guarantee
Free
Pickup & Delivery

Expert Rug Repair in Chicago

At Chicago Oriental Rug Cleaning, we offer a complete range of professional rug repair services for Oriental, Persian, Turkish, Afghan, Chinese, Indian, and Pakistani rugs. Whether your rug has moth damage, worn fringes, or needs reweaving, our master craftsmen can restore it.

We believe each Oriental rug is unique with its own history. Proper repair requires deep knowledge of rug construction, fiber types, dyes, and traditional weaving techniques. Our specialists have decades of experience preserving valuable heirloom rugs.

Our Rug Repair Services

Fringe Repair & Replacement

We repair torn, missing, or damaged fringes. Options include hand-knotting new fringe, overcasting edges, or complete fringe replacement to match the original style.

Serging & Binding

Prevent further unraveling with professional edge binding. We match colors and materials to preserve your rug's appearance while adding structural support.

Hole & Tear Repair

Our artisans reweave damaged areas using matching wool or silk threads, restoring both structure and appearance. Even large holes can be invisibly repaired.

Color Restoration

Sun fading, chemical damage, or age can cause color loss. We carefully touch up colors using traditional dyes to restore vibrancy while maintaining authenticity.

Side Cord Repair

Damaged side cords (selvedge) compromise your rug's integrity. We rebuild or reinforce edges to prevent further damage and maintain structural stability.

Moth Damage Repair

Moths can devastate wool rugs. We repair moth-eaten areas and provide treatment to prevent future infestations. See our moth treatment service.

Rug Types We Repair

Hand-knotted Oriental rugs
Persian wool & silk rugs
Turkish kilims & flatweaves
Antique & heirloom rugs
Chinese silk rugs
Afghan & tribal rugs
Indian hand-woven rugs
Machine-made area rugs

Preserve Your Rug's Value

Professional repairs by experienced craftsmen maintain or even increase your rug's value. Amateur repairs or machine work can permanently damage antique rugs and decrease their worth. We provide detailed documentation of all repairs for insurance and appraisal purposes.

Complete Care for Your Rugs

In addition to repairs, we recommend regular professional cleaning to extend your rug's life. Protect your investment with stain protection and quality rug pads. If you suspect moth activity, our moth treatment service can prevent further damage.

Free Repair Estimate

Text or email photos of damage for a quick repair estimate.

(224) 551-0711 Send Photos Online

Serving the Greater Chicagoland Area

We provide free pickup and delivery for rug repair services throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

ChicagoGlenviewEvanstonWilmetteWinnetkaHighland ParkLake ForestNorthbrookSkokieNapervilleOak ParkHinsdaleDeerfieldGlencoeKenilworthBarrington

Rug Repair FAQ

Common questions about Oriental rug repair, restoration, and preserving your rug's value.

Is it worth repairing an old Oriental rug?

In most cases, yes—professional repair is absolutely worth it. Hand-knotted Oriental rugs appreciate in value over time, and a well-maintained antique rug can be worth significantly more than a new one. Professional repairs by experienced craftsmen maintain or even increase your rug's value.

More importantly, small damage left unrepaired tends to spread quickly. A loose edge or torn fringe can unravel into a much larger problem within months. Repairing early is always more cost-effective than waiting.

We provide free repair estimates—just send us photos of the damage via our online form or text them to (224) 551-0711. We'll advise honestly on whether repair makes sense for your particular rug.

Can you repair a large hole in an Oriental rug?

Yes. Our master craftsmen can repair holes of virtually any size using traditional reweaving techniques. The process involves rebuilding the rug's foundation (warp and weft threads) and then knotting new pile using matching wool or silk to recreate the original pattern and colors.

For large repairs, we carefully match the rug's knot density, color palette, and weaving style so the repaired area blends seamlessly with the original. While larger repairs take more time and investment, they can save a valuable rug that would otherwise be lost.

Common causes of holes include moth damage, pet chewing, burns, and general wear. Regardless of the cause, we can assess the damage and provide a detailed repair plan.

How long does professional rug repair take?

Repair timelines vary based on the type and extent of damage:

  • Fringe repair or replacement: typically 1–2 weeks
  • Edge binding and serging: typically 1–2 weeks
  • Small hole or tear repair: typically 2–3 weeks
  • Large reweaving projects: 3–6 weeks depending on complexity
  • Color restoration: typically 2–4 weeks

Quality rug repair cannot be rushed. Our craftsmen take the time needed to ensure repairs are structurally sound and visually seamless. We'll provide an estimated timeline when you receive your repair quote.

Can you fix or replace fringe on an Oriental rug?

Absolutely—fringe repair is one of our most common services. The fringe on an Oriental rug isn't decorative trim; it's actually the structural warp threads of the rug itself. When fringe deteriorates, the rug begins to unravel from the ends.

We offer several fringe repair options:

  • Overcasting/securing – binding the ends to prevent further unraveling
  • Hand-knotting new fringe – adding new fringe that matches the original style
  • Complete fringe replacement – for severely damaged or missing fringe

We always recommend the most conservation-appropriate approach for your rug's age and value. For antique rugs, preserving originality is important for maintaining value.

Do you repair machine-made rugs as well?

Yes, we can perform certain repairs on machine-made rugs, including edge binding, serging, patching, and securing loose areas. However, the cost-effectiveness depends on the rug's value.

For inexpensive machine-made rugs, the cost of repair may approach or exceed replacement cost. We'll always provide an honest assessment of whether repair makes financial sense for your particular rug.

Regardless of your rug type, we also offer professional cleaning, stain protection, and custom rug pads to help extend the life of all your rugs.

Should I clean my rug before or after repair?

We generally recommend cleaning before major repairs. Professional cleaning removes soil and contaminants that can interfere with repair work, and it gives us a clearer view of the rug's true condition and the full extent of damage.

For moth-damaged rugs, cleaning first is essential—our moth treatment process eliminates all active larvae before repairs begin, ensuring new work won't be destroyed by remaining pests.

That said, if a rug has structural damage that could worsen during cleaning (like a large tear), we'll stabilize the damage first, then clean, then complete the full repair. We customize the approach for every rug.

Don't Let Damage Spread

Early repair prevents small problems from becoming costly restorations. Get a free estimate today.