How to Clean a Urine Spot on a Wool Rug

Use white vinegar and water to clean a urine spot on a wool rug.

Area wool rugs add a beautiful accent to your home décor, and routine cleaning of your wool rugs keep them looking new. However, if you have pets or small children, the chances of spills, food stains and even urine stains is increased. Of all these stains, urine is the most problematic to clean. White vinegar, which has excellent cleaning properties and helps to neutralize smells, will clean a urine spot on a wool rug.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Sponge
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Clean rag

Instructions

1. Blot the urine stain with paper towels as soon as you notice it. The paper towels will soak up most of the urine before it seeps deep into the wool rug.

2. Rinse the soiled area of the wool rug with cool water. If the wool rug is small enough, take it outside and rinse with a hose. If it's a larger rug, use a sponge saturated in cool water to rinse as much of the urine out of the wool rug as you can.

3. Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and cool water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the urine spot. The vinegar will clean the area and neutralize the smell.

4. Use a clean rag to soak up the excess water and white vinegar. Allow the spot to air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Vinegar will help prevent colors from running when cleaning a wool rug.

• Hang the wool rug out to dry, if possible.

• Do not use oxygen-based cleaning solutions to clean wool rugs; these cleaners can damage the wool fibers or cause the colors to run.

References

• Premium Rugs: Care of Oriental Rugs