A Tale of Two Rugs in Notting Hill
A Tale of Two Rugs in Notting Hill Every rug has its own story. Sometimes, even rugs picked up just streets apart require completely different restoration approaches. Recently, we had the pleasure of restoring two Persian rugs for clients in Notting Hill, W11. Restoring two persian treasures In the heart of Notting Hill, two rugs arrived in our care. Both woven in Iran, both beloved by their owners — and yet each demanded a radically different approach. The First: A Worn Isfahan Rug with a Fading Past The first rug was a well-worn Isfahan piece, passed down through family generations. Its colours were dulled by decades of footfall. The once-bright reds and aquas had been muted by layers of embedded soil, now grey and tired. The client, understandably hesitant, feared further damage. They had been told by other professionals that the rug was beyond saving. But we saw its potential. After a detailed pre-inspection and dye test, we immersed the rug in a cold, neutral WoolSafe® detergent bath — a process designed not to strip or stress, but to gently coax the fibres back to life. We used regular, careful agitation over time to emulsify the soil. This stage alone can take hours, or even days, depending on the condition. Once ready, the rug was flushed with softened, high-pressure cold water — not to blast, but to release what was never meant to stay. The result was striking: the rug’s original colours resurfaced, glowing with their former depth. When we delivered the rug back to our client, they chose not to walk on it again. Instead, they hung it proudly in their entrance hallway — a daily reminder of both the rug’s story, and our role in preserving it. “We are so grateful for the incredible care taken with our rugs. The results were stunning — far beyond what we expected. Thank you for bringing these pieces back to life.” The Second: A Delicate Kashan Silk with a Fragile Foundation Just a few streets away, we collected another Persian rug — a 100% silk Kashan with a dry, brittle foundation. It had suffered from dry rot, and its silk pile was dense with fine, packed-in soil. This rug could not be approached with conventional methods. Mechanical dusting was out of the question. It would have torn the foundation apart. Instead, we undertook the slow, painstaking process of hand-dusting with a silk carding brush, supported by a vacuum fitted with a specialist soft-bristle attachment. This alone took several sessions — not because it was technically complex, but because it had to be done without compromise. Once dusted, we gently hand-washed the rug using a highly diluted, pH-balanced solution and allowed it to dry in our temperature- and humidity-controlled room. No friction, no stress, no shortcuts. The rug was returned fully cleaned — soft, supple, and structurally intact. The client, like the one before, chose to display it on the wall. Not out of fear, but pride. The Takeaway: No Two Rugs Are Alike — and Neither Is Our Approach Both rugs were Persian. Both came from homes just minutes apart. But each demanded its own bespoke process, born from decades of experience and a deep respect for the stories woven into every knot. At The Persian Rug Cleaning Company, we do not believe in one-size-fits-all cleaning. We offer an elite, white-glove service rooted in craftsmanship, discretion, and trust — because anything less would fall short of what these heirlooms deserve. All Posts Advice News Reviews Can You Wash a Persian Rug at Home? Can You Wash a Persian Rug at Home? Thinking of washing your Persian rug yourself? Here’s what you need to… A Tale of Two Rugs in Notting Hill A Tale of Two Rugs in Notting Hill Every rug has its own story. Sometimes, even rugs picked up just… Viscose Rug Cleaning & Maintenance Tips Viscose Rug Cleaning & Maintenance Tips Learn what makes viscose different, how to maintain it at home, and what to… Newsletter Sign up to get the latest news and rug care tips Name Email Δ