Wool, Silk & Antique Rug Cleaning in Vancouver, WA & Portland, OR
Every fiber behaves differently when wet. We identify yours first, then choose a gentle method, and tell you honestly when a rug is too fragile to wash.
Short answer: Wool is durable but needs gentle, low-heat washing. Silk is delicate and needs minimal agitation and careful drying. Viscose (“art silk”) loses about half its strength when wet and may be too fragile to wash. Antique rugs get a condition check first. Our price is $4.00 to $4.50 per square foot for wool and $5.00 to $5.50 for silk, viscose and antique rugs, with free pickup and delivery within 35 miles.
Recent Wool, Silk & Antique Rug Projects
Real silk, vintage and wool rugs we washed across Clark County and the Portland metro. Each project has its own page with full before-and-after photos.
Heirloom 8×10 Silk Rug Cleaning in Lake Oswego, OR
Heirloom 8×10 silk rug from a Lake Oswego, OR family home.
Read the case study →
Heavily Soiled Silk Rug Cleaning in Camas, WA
Gray silk rug, a family piece, from a Camas, WA home.
Read the case study →
Silk 8×10 Rug Cleaning in Ridgefield, WA: Pet Urine, Traffic Soil and Spill Stains
Heirloom 8×10 white-and-blue silk rug from a Ridgefield, WA home.
Read the case study →
Vintage 8×10 Sheep’s Wool Rug Cleaning in Portland, OR
Vintage hand-knotted 8×10 sheep’s wool rug with floral patterns in ivory, sage and rust, from a Portland, OR home.
Read the case study →
Sheep’s Wool Checkerboard Rug Cleaning in West Linn, OR
High-pile sheep’s wool checkerboard rug, 5×7, from West Linn, OR (Willamette neighborhood).
Read the case study →
Modern 9×12 Wool Rug Cleaning in Lake Oswego, OR: Taking the Oregon Out of the Pile
Modern 9×12 wool rug, Moroccan-style, ivory with a charcoal diamond lattice, from a Lake Oswego, OR home.
Read the case study →How Each Fiber Is Different
A rug that looks fine on the floor can respond very differently to water depending on its fiber. Wool, silk, viscose and age each change what is safe, so we identify the fiber and check the condition of the rug before choosing how to wash it.
The table below shows what makes each one different and how we approach it.
Wool rugs
Hand-knotted, hand-tufted and flatweave wool rugs
Silk and viscose rugs
Silk, silk blends and viscose or art silk rugs
Antique and vintage rugs
Antique means 100 years or older, and vintage generally means 20 to 99 years
| Fiber | Strengths | Risks when wet | Our approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool | Durable, resilient and easy to restore | Hot water and soaking can harm it, and slow drying can cause browning. Soiled wool can attract moths. | Gentle hand wash with mild, pH-balanced cleanser, then monitored drying. |
| Silk | Fine sheen and detail | Delicate. Water can leave marks and rough handling can damage it. | Minimal agitation, a careful rinse and controlled drying. We do not recommend home spot cleaning. |
| Viscose / art silk | Silk-like sheen at a lower cost | Loses about half its strength when wet. Texture distortion and shading are common, and some can bleed. | We inspect first. Some are too fragile to wash, and we will tell you before we start. |
| Antique (100+ years) | Natural aging, history and value | Weakened foundations, dry rot, old repairs and unstable dyes are common. | Condition check first, then the gentlest method that suits the rug. |
What Can Go Wrong, and How We Prevent It
Wool: water and heat
Wool is absorbent. Soaking it or using hot water can harm the fiber and the floor underneath it.
Wool: moths
Moths favor soiled, undisturbed wool. Regular cleaning and moving rugs reduce the risk.
Silk: water marks
Silk can mark when wet and should not be spot cleaned at home. Professional washing keeps the rinse even.
Viscose: wet strength
Viscose loses about half its strength when wet, so it needs a careful inspection before any washing.
Antique: weak foundation
Age can weaken the foundation and fibers, so we assess condition before we wash.
All fibers: dye bleed
Dyes can run in any fiber, so we test before washing.
How We Wash Your Rug
The same 8 steps are used for every rug, adjusted to its fiber and condition. See the plant page for more.
- 01
Pre-Wash Inspection
We identify the fiber and run color-fastness tests so dyes are not put at risk.
- 02
Dry Dust Extraction
Specialized equipment vibrates out dry, abrasive soil before any water touches the rug.
- 03
Pre-Conditioning
Targeted treatment for traffic lanes and spills, or a bio-enzymatic treatment where pet urine is present.
- 04
Submersion Hand Wash
The rug is fully submerged in a flowing pool of mild, pH-balanced cleanser chosen for its weave.
- 05
Fresh Water Rinsing
Continuous flushing carries away suspended dirt and cleanser, leaving fibers soft.
- 06
Centrifugal Extraction
A centrifuge removes most of the moisture in minutes, which helps prevent color migration.
- 07
Climate-Controlled Drying
The rug hangs in a temperature and humidity-monitored room, typically for 24 to 48 hours.
- 08
Detailing & Delivery
Fringes are hand-washed, the pile is groomed, and the rug is delivered back to you.
See Where Your Rug Is Washed
Every rug we pick up is washed at our dedicated Vancouver, WA facility. Take a look inside, or read the 8-step process.
Rug Cleaning Prices by Size
Priced by the square foot and fiber. Free pickup and delivery are included within 35 miles.
| Rug size | Wool $4.00-$4.50 / sq ft | Silk, viscose & antique $5.00-$5.50 / sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 3×5 accent rug15 sq ft | $60 – $68 | $75 – $82 |
| 4×6 rug24 sq ft | $96 – $108 | $120 – $132 |
| 5×8 rug40 sq ft | $160 – $180 | $200 – $220 |
| 6×9 rug54 sq ft | $216 – $243 | $270 – $297 |
| 8×10 rug80 sq ft | $320 – $360 | $400 – $440 |
| 9×12 rug108 sq ft | $432 – $486 | $540 – $594 |
| 10×14 rug140 sq ft | $560 – $630 | $700 – $770 |
| 2.5×10 runner25 sq ft | $100 – $112 | $125 – $138 |
Estimates only. Your final price is confirmed after inspection. Pet odor treatment is priced additionally upon inspection.
What We Check Before We Wash
We inspect every rug before it is washed. These are the things that change how, or whether, we proceed:
- Viscose that may be too fragile to wash
- Weak or dry-rotted foundation
- Dyes that bleed in testing, or liquid restoration in worn areas
- Old repairs, moth damage or deep urine
If anything puts your rug at risk, we tell you before we wash it and talk through your options.
Caring for Your Rug Between Cleanings
- Vacuum regularly with suction only, and avoid beater bars on silk and hand-knotted rugs.
- Blot spills with a clean white cloth and call a professional before treating silk or viscose.
- Rotate rugs and move furniture occasionally so wool does not stay undisturbed in one place.
- Clean a rug before storing it, then store it in a breathable wrap and not in plastic.
- If a rug gets wet, dry it flat with airflow on both sides and call us quickly.
Damp Pacific Northwest weather makes thorough drying important for every fiber. Wool and silk that stay damp can develop odor or browning, and moths prefer undisturbed, soiled wool. Washing at our plant and drying in a monitored room means the rug comes home dry.
For more, read our rug care guides.
Rug Terms, Explained
- Viscose rayon (art silk)
- A man-made fiber with a silky sheen, often sold as “art silk,” “bamboo silk” or Tencel. It loses much of its strength when wet.
- Antique rug
- A rug 100 years old or older. Rugs 20 to 99 years old are generally called vintage.
- Dry rot
- Deterioration of a rug foundation, often from age or prolonged moisture, that makes fibers brittle.
- Foundation
- The warp and weft threads that hold the knots of a rug together.
- Browning
- Tan or brown discoloration that can appear if a rug dries too slowly or is left with residue.
- Liquid restoration
- Pigment or ink painted on worn areas to hide wear. It may run when the rug is washed.
Family-Owned Since 1988
Benchmark is led by owners Adam and Carrie Vermilyea, who live in Clark County, Washington. Every rug we wash goes through the same inspection, dye testing and monitored drying, and we tell you what we find before we proceed.
4.9 on Google
131 Google reviews, as of October 2026. Read what customers say about their rugs, or leave your own.
“Benchmark did an incredible job restoring my 30-year-old Victorian Aubusson rug. It had severe discoloration, but when it was delivered back to my home, I was stunned. It looks practically brand new!”
“Truly incredible work. We had a major pet accident on a delicate silk runner. The pet odor is completely gone without any harsh chemical smell remaining.”
Selected testimonials. They are not all of our reviews. Every review, good or critical, is on Google.
Wool, Silk & Antique Rug Cleaning Questions
How much does wool rug cleaning cost in Portland and Vancouver?
Wool rug cleaning is $4.00 to $4.50 per square foot. An 8×10 wool rug is about $320 to $360. Your final price is confirmed after inspection, and pickup and delivery are free within 35 miles.
How much does silk rug cleaning cost?
Silk, viscose and antique rugs are $5.00 to $5.50 per square foot. A 5×8 silk rug is about $200 to $220. We confirm the price after inspecting the rug.
Can you clean viscose or art silk rugs?
Sometimes. Viscose loses about half its strength when wet, so we inspect it first. If a rug is too fragile to wash safely, we will tell you before we start rather than risk damaging it.
What counts as an antique rug?
An antique rug is generally 100 years old or older. Rugs between 20 and 99 years old are usually called vintage. Both need a condition check before washing.
Will you wash my antique rug?
We examine every antique rug first, looking at the foundation, dyes and any previous repairs. If it can be washed safely, we use the gentlest method for the rug. If not, we will explain why.
How do I protect my wool rugs from moths?
Keep rugs clean, vacuum regularly including the areas under furniture, move rugs occasionally, and clean a rug before storing it. A professional wash removes the soil moths are drawn to.
How often should wool rugs be cleaned?
About every 2 years for normal use, and every 12 to 18 months for homes with pets, young children or an entryway rug.
Can I clean a silk rug myself?
We do not recommend it. Silk can show water marks and damage easily. Blot spills and call a professional for stains or soil.
Source: Cleanfax, “When to Hold ‘Em and When to Fold ‘Em” (rug cleaning trade magazine). Prices and policies are Benchmark’s own. Last updated October 26, 2026.
Explore More Rug Cleaning
Get Your Free Quote
Tell us about your rug and we will confirm your pickup window. Free pickup and delivery within 35 miles of Vancouver, WA.