How to Clean a Lambs Wool Rug

Lambs wool rugs are luxurious and well worth the effort to care for properly.

Lambswool rugs are beautiful and comfortable accessories to have in any home. They do require a certain amount of upkeep that is well worth the effort. If properly cared for, lambswool rugs can last a long time in wonderful condition. Regular washing and care is necessary for these rugs to maintain their luxurious appearance. Fortunately, you do not have to spend a lot of money in professional cleaning bills because you can take care of these rugs yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Vacuum
• Bucket
• Wool washing detergent
• Water
• Sponge
• Garden hose or bathtub with water supply
• Blanket or towel at least the size of the rug
• Wool brush

Instructions

1. Blot up any moisture, such as new stains, on the rug, using the paper towels.

2. Shake the rug to loosen and remove any dust or dirt embedded in the wool.

3. Vacuum the rug.

4. Combine 2 oz. of wool washing detergent and 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket.

5. Saturate the sponge in the detergent mixture.

6. Dab stains on the rug with the saturated sponge until the stains lift. Continue to blot the rest of the rug with the detergent solution until the rug is saturated.

7. Rinse the rug in cool water until the water runs clear and all detergent has been removed. You may do this by hanging the rug outside on a clothesline or fence and hosing it off with a garden hose. You can also rinse the rug in the bathtub with cool water.

8. Lay the rug flat with the wool side up and place the blanket or towel over it.

9. Roll the rug with the towel or blanket up so the towel or blanket absorbs excess moisture.

10. Lay the rug flat to dry.

11. Brush the wool with a wool brush when it has completely dried.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to wash and dry the rug outside because of all the excess water the rug will need to shed to be completely clean.

• You can wash the rug in a washing machine with lukewarm water on a delicate setting. An extra spin cycle may be necessary to remove the water. After the cycle has finished, set the washing machine to the final rinse cycle again, then add wool conditioner. After the cycle has finished, set the washing machine to the final rinse cycle one more time.

• If the leather on the back of your rug is stiff after washing, massage it while still damp to soften the leather.

• Shaking and brushing your rug often will help it stay clean and maintain its luxurious appearance and softness.

References

• Cleaning Services Toronto: How to Clean a Lambs Wool Rug
• Kiwi Sheepskins: Sheepskin Products Care and Washing Instructions
• Sheepskin: Caring for Your Sheepskin Products