How to Clean a Wool Rug

Here is a step-by-step guide to keeping your wool rug beautifully clean.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Stain remover solution
• Paper towels
• Pure white vinegar
• Mild detergent
• Clean sponge
• Bucket of water

1. Vacuum over the area rug to suck up any soil tracked into your house. Regular vacuuming helps prevent dirt from damaging the rug fibers. Shag rugs need to be shaken outside, since vacuuming can distort the softness of the pile.

2. Spot clean the dirtiest areas of the rug first. Blot with a paper towel or use a stain remover for stubborn spills. Add a teaspoon of mild detergent and a teaspoon of pure white vinegar to two quarts of warm water for a homemade cleaning solution that's safe on your rugs.

3. Fully cleaning your wool rug requires some time, but the results will show. Take it outside onto a patio and wet it down with a hose.

4. Add some mild detergent to a bucket of water and run the mix over the rug. Use a clean sponge to wipe up the spots that need cleaning.

5. Wash down the rug afterwards with clean water. Drain out the excess water by rolling up the rug in dry towels. Make sure the rug does not stay wet or stay in the sun. Moisture can cause bacterial growth, while sun exposure can shrink the rug.

6. Take your wool rug to a dry cleaner about once a year if you do not want to hassle with cleaning it yourself. The cost is high but it guarantees a thorough cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not scrub a wool rug because scrubbing can distort the pile.
• Spot cleaning can save you from fully cleaning a wool rug, and if you clean up right after spills occur, the chances of a stain setting in are less likely.
• If you do not know whether a stain remover will work, test it on a small part of the rug first to make sure it does not ruin the color or the pile.
• Make sure to use stain removers that are safe for wool rugs.
• Always check the manufacturer tags for the best way to clean your rug.