Keeping your rug clean extends its lifespan by years. However, the cleaning method that saves a synthetic rug will completely ruin a natural jute one. In this guide, we break down exactly how to clean every major rug material.
Table of Contents
How to Clean Wool Rugs
Wool is naturally stain-resistant thanks to its lanolin coating, but it is sensitive to moisture and harsh chemicals.
- Spot Cleaning: Use club soda or a mixture of white vinegar and water. Blot, never rub.
- Deep Cleaning: Do not steam clean wool rugs. The heat will shrink the fibers. Take them to a professional every 2-3 years.
"Never use off-the-shelf carpet stain removers on natural wool or silk. They are formulated for synthetic wall-to-wall carpeting and will bleach the color right out of your heirloom rug."
— Naheed Mir, Founder of RugKnots
How to Clean Jute & Sisal
Jute and water are mortal enemies. If jute gets soaked, it will mold, warp, and release a foul odor.
- Spot Cleaning: Use a dry cleaning powder or scrape up solids with a dull knife. If you must use liquid, use the tiniest amount of club soda and dry it immediately with a hair dryer on the cool setting.
How to Clean Polypropylene
Polypropylene (olefin) is practically indestructible.
- Deep Cleaning: You can literally take these rugs outside, spray them down with a garden hose, scrub them with dish soap, and let them bake in the sun to dry.
About RugKnots
RugKnots is a family-owned rug company based in Hagerstown, Maryland. Founded in 2010, we've spent over 14 years helping homeowners and designers find the right rug — from hand-knotted Persian heirlooms to durable machine-made everyday pieces. We hand-inspect every order before it ships, offer free U.S. shipping, and back every purchase with our 30-day return guarantee.
This article was written by our editorial team and reviewed for accuracy. Our writers work directly with our buyers and customer-experience team, who handle thousands of rug questions every year. If you have a question this article didn't answer, reach out — a real human will get back to you within one business day.
