Wool Rugs Wool Rugs
Written By : RugKnots  |  

Purchasing a wool-silk rug is a profitable investment and certainly something to take pride in. However, it might be slightly more expensive. Still, it worth the money. However, keeping the wool rug neat and clean is challenging, especially when you have pets and kids at home.

Wool rugs are typically attractive, long-lasting, comforting, easy to maintain, and blend seamlessly with your home's decor. However, don't be misled by the term 'easy maintenance .'The task can be challenging if you're unsure how to clean a wool rug! Here are some easy ways to clean a wool rug. Follow these instructions to keep your wool rugs clean for extended periods.

How To Clean A Wool Rug? - Easy Methods To Try At Home

Cleaning rugs at home is a more affordable option and not as intimidating as it may seem! However, you must know how to clean wool rugs. Otherwise, the results may be horrible and damage the wool area rugs.

So, how exactly can you clean your wool rug at home? There are several ways to maintain the cleanliness and condition of your woolen rug. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to clean wool rugs at home, considering both regular and irregular situations.

Use The Vacuum

A simple method to maintain woolen carpets is to regular vacuuming them in a 'V' pattern three times. Why is this beneficial? Vacuuming in various directions thoroughly cleans it without damaging the fibers. However, it's crucial to ensure that the vacuum is high to avoid agitating the fibers, which could cause the wool rug to shed fibers and pile.

It's recommended to vacuum your wool area rugs approximately twice a month. Yes, you read that right! Twice a month. This is particularly important if you own a Shag rug, as it requires extra care.

Woolen carpets contain minuscule air pockets that can trap dirt, allowing them to appear clean longer than inexpensive synthetic carpets. However, they eventually require vacuum and rug beater to clear the air pockets. Synthetic rug fibers, such as polypropylene, nylon, and acrylic, are plastic, causing more dirt to settle on the surface.

It's advisable to vacuum your woolen carpet only twice a month to avoid pulling out the natural wool fibers. Occasionally, vacuum both sides of the rug to remove all the dirt.

We suggest vacuuming the carpet's underside every two months. The type of vacuum cleaner used is a crucial factor for the rug maintenance. So, get a good vacuum cleaner to retain the shine and appearance of it.

Rug Shaking

If vacuuming every two weeks makes you shudder, you can simply shake your rug outside to clean it without needing a vacuum. To clean a wool rug, just take your rug outdoors and give it a good shake! If your rug is on the larger side, get the help of a friend. A good 30 seconds to a minute of wool rug shake can effectively remove all the dirt.

If the weather forecast is promising, feel free to leave your rug outside for a couple of hours. For an added touch, lightly spray your rug with some Febreze before leaving it out. Your rug will come back smelling as if it's just been laundered!

Steam Cleaning

Firstly, avoiding soaking your entire wool rug at home is crucial. It's impossible to dry it quickly enough to stop mold and mildew from forming. Secondly, the steam's temperature is too high for wool. You know how using a hairdryer and straightener can harm your hair? It's the same principle!

Lastly, if there's any dirt trapped in your wool rug's air pockets, the steam will turn it into mud within your rug. Imagine how hard that would be to remove! This method works best when executed by an expert. Rug cleaning involves many factors, so we suggest hiring a professional.

Expert Wool Carpet Cleaning

Adhering to the above guidelines can prolong the period between expert cleanings. However, your wool rug should ideally be cleaned every 1-2 years, depending on its usage.

However, if your rug has a stubborn stain, it's crucial to seek the help of a professional cleaner or refer to a comprehensive guide on how to clean a wool rug.

As previously stated, don't attempt to avoid expert cleaners for liquid spills and stains. It might be costly, but if you try to do it yourself at home, you risk damaging your valuable wool rug.

Specific Stains Cleaning On Wool Fibers

The most crucial aspect of stain cleaning is addressing the stain RIGHT AWAY. After a mere 15 minutes, the stain starts to settle. The procedures to clean a wool rug are sorted based on the type of spill and stains. Every kind of stain requires a specific treatment. Follow the suitable method to keep your wool rug clean and stain-free.

1. Vegetable, Fruit Juices And Red Wine Stains

Spread salt over the entire area of concern. The salt will act like a sponge, soaking up the liquid. Once the salt has been taken in the stains, use a rounded spoon to scrape off the residue, sprinkle cold water using a spoon or syringe, and pat the area until it's dry.

2. Animal Stains, Fragrance & Alkaline Spills

You can use either the vinegar solution mentioned earlier or a mixture of 1 teaspoon of household ammonia and 1 cup of clean water. Apply the solution using a white paper towel, rinse thoroughly with cold water using a spoon or syringe, and then pat dry.

3. Paint, Oil & Grease

You can remove paint, oil, and grease using nail polish remover or opt for a spot removal/dry cleaning solvent.

Thoroughly rinse using a spoon or syring, then pat dry. Many of these stain removing agents can make the treated area more susceptible to dirt than the rest of the carpet. A good rinse with cold water and blotting can mitigate this issue.

4. Food, Modeling Clay, Skin Ointments And Cosmetic Powders

Treat the stained spot with:

  • 8 portions of clean water
  • 1 portion of distilled white vinegar
  • And a tiny squeeze of a gentle dishwashing soap
  • Just pat the mixture on with white paper towels, then with a fresh, dry towel, pat, and scrub the damp spot until the wool rug become completely dry.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide, Bleach & Other Strong Chemical Spills

Wet the affected spot with water and promptly get in touch with a professional carpet cleaner.

Shield Your Wool Rug Using A Mat Or Runner

One easy suggestion to bear in mind is to safeguard your wool carpet by positioning it over an Area Rug store, floor mat, or runner. This will assist in maintaining the cleanliness and extending its longevity. A rug pad can also be utilized to shield your carpet from excessive wear and tear.

Use Dry Powder

This method is quite common but not very effective. Dry carpet shampoo and powders tend to infiltrate the tiny air pockets, resulting in more mess and making the rug appear fuzzy.

Professional experts providing the rug cleaning solution employ this technique only under specific conditions and with the right tools. We do not highly recommend trying using dry carpet shampoo at home. If you think you can handle the rug cleaning process easily, you can do it.

Some Don'ts For Cleaning A Wool Rug At Home

Vacuum and stain remover works fine for making the wool rug clean. Still, attempting to deep clean with a carpet cleaner should be left to the professionals. It's simply the best choice.

Though professional wool rug cleaning is efficient, it can be costly, and over-washing and scrubing can lead to problems. If you feel you don't know how to clean a wool rug, don't try experiments with it. For more details, feel free to reach out to us at any time at the RugKnots online store. We offer free shipping on all purchases made through our website. So, don't hesitate and start your shopping journey!

Moreover, when wool gets damp, it becomes extremely difficult to dry completely by yourself. Each wool fibre has a top layer that is water-repellent or hydrophobic, while the bottom layer is water-attracting or hydrophilic. If the carpet doesn't dry out entirely quickly, it may develop mold and mildew and the process is irreversible. Therefore avoid wetting the wool area rug completely.

Also, avoid using dyed soap as a cleaning solution; for the above mentioned process, it's advisable to use a transparent soap. The color in the soap can potentially discolor light designs on a carpet.

Frequency Of Cleaning A Wool Rug

Due to the dense nature of wool, it tends to attract and hold more dust within its fibers. Regular upkeep not only maintains its vibrant appearance but also extends the rug's longevity. The deep clean frequency is a crucial aspect of wool rug maintenance. A good guideline suggests that the cleaning should be frequent enough to prevent dirt build-up in the fibers but not so frequent as to cause damage to the rug. Typically, vacuuming the rug twice a month is recommended. However, this can vary depending on several factors. If you're in the market for discounted for new Wool Rug, CouponGot is an excellent website to find coupon codes for rug-related online stores.

Here are some essential points to consider while considering the wool area rug cleaning frequency:

Foot Traffic Volume: Naturally, the more foot traffic an area experiences, the more mud it accumulates. That's why it requires more deep cleaning solution.

Placement of the Area Rug: This factor is directly linked to foot traffic volume. Some parts of a home experience more traffic than others, thus requiring more frequent washing and maintenance.

Presence of Pets: As per IICRC, a home without pets typically requires 1-2 monthly cleanings. However, this frequency increases to 4-7 times monthly in homes with pets. So, it's a choice between rugs and pets.

Your Level of Care: Many people underestimate the significance of proper care. If you're extremely careful to avoid potential damage to your rug, you might not need to vacuum it even once a month. Conversely, walking on the rug with shoes or frequently spilling on it can lead to damage.

Besides regular vacuuming: The IICRC also recommends seeking professional assistance at least once a year to remove stains. Having your wool rug professionally cleaned with wool safe detergent is unquestionably the most effective method for making wool area rugs clean.

Some Suggestions To Always Keep Wool Rugs Clean

  • Encourage visitors and family members to take off their shoes. This is a beneficial habit even if you don't own any wool carpets. Your shoes come into contact with public restroom floors, dust, grime, asphalt, and who knows what else!
  • Restrict pets' access to a carpet. Ensure their paws are clean and they are not lounging on the mat. Pets love to walk over the the wool rug. These high-quality wool rugs are incredibly soft!
  • Be careful when using Red Wine. You don't need to become a white wine fan, but exercise caution!
  • Ensure children don't use art materials on or near the wool rug. Regrettably, a crayon rubbed into the carpet will necessitate a professional rug cleaners.
  • Refrain from Smoking Near the Carpet. Smoke smells can permeate it and potentially discolor light-hued carpets. Similar to how smoking harms the lungs, teeth, and ceilings, it can also damage a wool carpet. Wool carpets are fire-resistant and won't ignite, but they can scorch. Steer clear of open flames to prevent any harm to your item.

There's a vast array of styles and hues of wool rugs available, but one constant remains. Wool rugs are genuine works of art that warrant proper care. The beauty of wool rugs lies in their dual functionality as practical art pieces, provided they are well-maintained. Regardless of the number of YouTube tutorials you view, you'll never be able to clean a braided wool rug as effectively as a professional. They utilize sophisticated equipment that may appear simple to duplicate, but it isn't.

So, the cleaning routine should be regular enough to prevent dirt build-up, yet not so frequent as to risk damaging the rug.

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Sue Tasher

Hi all @rugknots, I have a 4 year old pure wool looped pile rug 8×6ft rug that desperately needs a clean please help!!

Arron Bedford

Hello rugknots.com owner, Your posts are always on topic and relevant.

Jen

Very weird and contradictory advice, such as Never soak your rug, yet then you list many liquids, and even cooked oatmeal, to pour on the rug.

Elaine

Is there any hope for a wool area rug that a dog has peed on and smells? I’ve had it professionally cleaned and it still smells. Help, I don’t want to throw it out! Thank you

Linda Grosso

I wonder if you have advise on getting yellowing out of a white wool oriental rug. I’ve tried to peroxide method with no luck!

Mary

Can lemon oil, or citrus oil, be sprayed on a wool oriental (Pakistan) rug to prevent cat scratching (he will not use scratching posts/pads-he hates the citrus smell). Thank you!

Pam

I’m so confused – it says don’t soak with liquid but in tips 17, 18, and 19 it’s says to make this certain kind of solution and pour it on your rug. Which is it, can I clean it with a regular carpet cleaner with that vinegar solution or not?

Janey

Great. You’ve taught very well. Bravo

Afton

Do you know of a professional cleaner in the Salt Lake City, Utah, area where I can get wool rugs cleaned?

Thank you.

Afton

Jean Delorme

I had professional co. Clean my wool rug, because I spilled some coffee.. I did try water sponging first with a little baking soda, however it did not work.. the pro’s steam cleaned it, going over the coffee spot many times.. It got worse, the rug felt like straw in that area. They came back a week later and worked on the spot with a vinegar solution and a coffee stain remover… still nothing working? In fact worse… is this rug now ruined?

Earl Williams

We found a 100% machine made Belgium wool rug in a thrift store. Paid 50$. How do you recommend cleaning it besides a professional? Our budget prevents this. The rug measures 8 by 11. We have a Kirby vacuum. With many attachments. What are your thoughts?

Barb McAran

Hi. Could you please recommend a professional oriental rug cleaner in Phoenix, AZ? Thank you very much.

Laura

My kids and beat our wool rug for 30 mins, we shook it for a minute and vacuumed both sides, yet it still has fine white dust coming out of it when we beat it! We vacuum it probably once a month (we don’t wear shoes in the house) and have had the rug for two years. Is the amount of dust we are getting unusual?

Sally

What type of professional cleaning for a large wool sculpted rug from Nepal?

Elana

Hi there. I have a beautiful vegetable dyed oushak rug that was vacuumed by mistake and lost it’s subtle softness and sheen. I’m devastated what can I do? Thanks!

Rugknots Area Rugs

@ Kathy Prosser
Did the entire wool rug turn yellow evenly or areas of yellowing? It’s fairly common for wool fibers to yellow over time due to a few factors such as natural sunlight, any moisture and the age of the rug. If there’s areas of yellowing and not the entire rug, you could spot treat these areas with a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide. Caution should be used to not soak the rug but only dab the solution on the yellow areas. Really, the best solution is to seek a professional area rug cleaner and have them take care of the issue. In most cases, they should be able to bring it back to near original colors.

Kathy Prosser

I have a solid white wool rug. For some reason it has turned yellow. Is there anyway to return it to its original color?

Mixkino

If possible, designate an area where you can hang a clothesline and hang the wool rug like that. Beat against the rug with a broom to help shake it clean.

Maranda Harris

Hi, can you please provide a recommendation for cleaning in the Houston area? Houston is HUGE so to be specific, The Woodlands or South Conroe 77385. Also, once we clean it, is it safe to put into non climate controlled storage for a couple of months? Temperatures in Texas are high 90s with 90% humidity this time of year. We’re moving into an AirBNB while our house is being built.

Rugknots Oriental Rugs

Hi Bg! We’re located in Hagerstown, Maryland but don’t actually clean rugs. If you provide your location, we’ll be glad to provide you with a recommended professional Oriental rug cleaner in your area or you can see our list of recommended cleaners here —> https://www.rugknots.com/blogs/professional-cleaners

Bg

Hi where is your location. How i can bring my rug there?