How to Clean Wool Rag Loomed Rugs

Rag rugs are often striped.

Wool rag loomed rugs are area rugs made from strips of wool fabric woven together on a hand loom. These types of area rugs are often colorful, and improper cleaning can cause the colors to bleed. Regular vacuuming of a wool rag rug will help maintain the rug and will lessen the frequency with which you need to wash the rug. Do not use alkaline cleaners or oxygen bleaches on a wool rug.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Bucket
• Wool detergent
• Water
• Sponge
• Towels

Instructions

1. Vacuum the wool rag rug one to three times a week, depending on the level of foot traffic. The more people who walk on the rug, the more often you should vacuum. Raise the vacuum's beater bar so it does not contact the rug. The beater bar can cause piling of the wool fabric.

2. Take the rag outside to a clean area of your deck or driveway for cleaning. The colors may bleed, and you do not want to stain your other flooring inside the home.

3. Mix a neutral pH wool detergent with water according to the package directions. Mix them together in a bucket and take the bucket outside. Dip a sponge into the solution and blot the entire surface of the rug. Do not scrub the rug, as agitation can cause piling.

4. Empty the bucket and fill it with clean water. Rinse the sponge clean. Dip the sponge in the clean water and blot the surface of the rug again to rinse out the detergent.

5. Hang the rug over a drying rack or patio railing to dry. When the top feels dry to the touch, flip the rug over so the other side can dry.

References

• Aspen Carpet Designs: Carpet Cleaning and Care
• Flitterman: The Rag Rug Collection