Washing a Gabbeh Used on a Terrace for Around 10 Years | Wool Rug Cleaning Case Study

Sep 17, 2026

Around Ten Years on a Terrace.
Caring for a Treasured Gabbeh, Deep into Its Fibres.

This wool Gabbeh measures approximately 185 × 120 cm. Its owner told us: It had been on the terrace for about ten years. We took this history into account when recommending the work.

Our recommendation was full washing combined with thorough dry-soil removal. The photographs below follow the washing and rinsing of this well-used rug.

Wool Gabbeh before cleaning, with small animal and plant motifs on an ivory ground and a dark border — Small animal and plant motifs decorate the natural ivory ground. We first recorded the rug's overall condition.

The Gabbeh and the Cost of This Job

Case Study Details
Type and material	Wool Gabbeh
Size	Approximately 185 × 120 cm (about 2.2 m²)
Use History	Used on a terrace for around ten years As reported by the customer
Customer’s Concerns	Accumulated dirt and dust after long use, with concerns about fading
Requested Work	Full washing and thorough dry-soil removal
Cost of This Job	¥23,500 including tax

This is the actual price for this particular job. Quotations vary with material, size, condition and additional work. If separate stain treatment is needed, we explain the proposed work before proceeding.

Washing and Rinsing, Step by Step

1. Addressing Accumulated Dust and Sand Before Washing

Because the rug had been used on a terrace for many years, we combined full washing with thorough dry-soil removal. The aim was to release as much embedded dust, sand and small debris as possible before wet cleaning.

We consider more than surface appearance: where and how long a rug has been used also matter. This history helps us choose the cleaning process.

2. Cleaning the Whole Rug

The photographs show cleaning solution and foam across the rug, from its ivory centre to its dark border. Full washing reaches areas that local surface wiping alone may not address.

Cleaning solution and foam spread over the entire wool Gabbeh during washing — Cleaning the whole rug, from centre to border.

Foam across the surface of the Gabbeh during cleaning — A photograph taken during washing.

3. Rinsing While Checking the Runoff

Rinsing is an important part of the process. These photographs show foam and cloudy water flowing into the wash area. They record the work in progress as we check the rug and rinse away loosened material. Follow the stages below.

Foam and water flowing from the Gabbeh into the wash area, with cloudy water near the drain — Water and foam in the wash area reveal part of the process that surface photographs alone cannot show.

Using a tool to push water and foam across the Gabbeh during rinsing — Moving water and foam off the surface.

Water and foam across the centre and border of the Gabbeh during rinsing — We check the condition all the way to the edges as work proceeds.

A wider photograph of the Gabbeh and runoff water during rinsing — The rug and the water flowing into the wash area.

Pushing water and foam towards the edge of the Gabbeh — Water and foam being moved off the rug.

These photographs document arrival, washing and rinsing. Wet and dry pile can look different in both texture and colour.

Distinguishing Soiling from Colour Fading

Owners of older Gabbeh rugs sometimes ask whether washing will restore their original colour. We discussed fading when quoting for this rug, too.

Removing dirt may make the rug look brighter overall.

However, cleaning alone may not reverse colour loss caused by sunlight or other forms of fading.

We aim to treat removable soiling carefully while explaining changes to the fibres and colour. Our recommendation for this job reflected the rug's condition and use history.

Questions About Well-Used Gabbeh Rugs

Can I ask about a Gabbeh used on a terrace for many years?

Yes. Start by showing us its condition. Send photographs of the whole rug, areas of concern, edges and reverse, together with where and how long it has been used. This helps us give more specific advice.

Can you also assess stains or darkened areas?

Please point them out in photographs. We assess whether separate stain treatment is needed in addition to full washing. Any additional work and cost will be explained before it begins.

Written by Daniel, Rug Cleaning Specialist

Daniel, rug cleaning specialist and IICRC-certified Carpet Cleaning Technician

IICRC-certified CCT technician with over ten years of practical experience

Daniel holds the Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT) qualification and has worked in rug cleaning for more than ten years. Drawing on traditional Iranian Persian-rug care, he focuses on material-specific pH control and drying. He considers both use history and fibre condition when recommending treatment.

Your Well-Used Gabbeh—
Send Us Photographs

Dust, sand, dullness or fading: tell us what concerns you and how the rug has been used. We will advise according to its material, size and condition.

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