Professional Rug Storage in Chicago
Storing a hand-knotted rug well is harder than it looks. Humidity swings between Chicago summer and winter expand and contract the foundation; uncontrolled light bleaches natural dyes; moths find any organic matter left in the pile; and a rug folded for storage rather than rolled develops creases that never come out. Our climate-appropriate Skokie facility handles all four — actively monitored humidity, no direct light exposure, moth treatment before every long-term placement, and acid-free wrapping rolled pile-out at the correct circumference.
Every rug we store is first inspected, photographed, and ideally professionally cleaned — dust and lanolin residues are what moths follow. The stored rug then sits in our insured commercial facility from $25/month per piece, with discounts for multi-rug and pre-paid annual rates.
What Happens to Rugs in Improper Storage
Folding causes permanent crease damage along the fold lines — once the foundation breaks at a crease, the only fix is full restoration. Plastic bags trap condensation against the rug; that moisture cycles between warm and cool conditions and feeds mildew that reaches the foundation within months. Unprotected open storage — a closet shelf, a basement corner, an attic — invites moths, which lay eggs in the quietest corner of the pile. Ahmadi’s storage prevents all three: rolled never folded, breathable acid-free wrap never plastic, and active pest management never relying on cedar alone.
Storage + Cleaning Bundle
Most of our storage clients combine annual professional cleaning with the storage placement itself. The rug comes in, gets fully washed and dried, gets photographed, and goes straight into rolled storage — pads stored separately when applicable. The whole cycle is handled in one pickup, one delivery, and one invoice. When you need the rug back — for a season change, a move, an event, or a new room — call or text and we schedule delivery with 48 hours’ notice. Free pickup and delivery is included for both placement and retrieval.
