Discover a blend of dry and wet techniques to keep your wool rug pristine:

Shake or Beat: Take your rug outside for a vigorous shake. For larger rugs, get a helping hand to drape it over a porch rail or sturdy chairs. Use a broom or rug beater to dislodge deeply embedded dirt. Remember to shake out the rug pad as well.

Vacuuming: Place a tarp on the ground, then lay your rug on top. Thoroughly vacuum one side of the rug, flip it over, and repeat on the other side.

Dry Bath Method: For rugs that aren't heavily soiled but need a refresh, try a dry shampoo. Sprinkle it on, let it sit as recommended, and then vacuum it up.

Mix Your Cleaning Solution: For dirtier rugs, a gentle scrub is necessary. Select a wool-safe detergent and mix it with cool water in a bucket. Have a second bucket with clean water ready for rinsing.

Gentle Scrubbing: Start at one end of your rug. Dip a sponge into the cleaning solution, ensuring you don't soak the fibers, and gently scrub. Work in small sections, frequently rinsing the sponge to avoid redistributing dirt.

Rinse Thoroughly: Make sure no soap residues linger on the rug, as this can attract more dirt. Use a clean sponge with rinse water to remove soap from recently cleaned areas.

Blotting Excess Moisture: Use towels to soak up any remaining moisture. Complete the scrub-rinse-blot process for each section before proceeding.

Drying: Hang the rug or position a fan nearby to accelerate drying. Ensure it's completely dry before placing it back in its spot, as drying can take a few hours.

Steam Cleaning: While renting a steam cleaner can be effective for large rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting, it may not be cost-effective for smaller rugs.

For stains, a slightly different approach is required. Here's how to tackle spot cleaning:

1. Quickly remove any solids from the rug without rubbing the stain, as this pushes dirt further in.
2. Use a blunt tool like a spoon to lift solids away.
3. Blot up liquids with paper towels, but if there's mud, allow it to dry for easier removal.
4. Apply a wool-safe cleaner with a white cloth to gently lift remaining residue, then rinse and blot.

Caring for a Wool Rug

Regular care is essential to maintain the quality and longevity of a wool rug. Vacuuming twice a month is generally sufficient, but increase frequency if there's heavy foot traffic or pets.

A deep clean is only needed annually, with spot cleaning as required. To ensure even wear, rotate the rug every six months and encourage visitors to remove shoes before walking on it.

1.) Shake Out the Dirt

2.) Vacuum the Rug

3.) Target Stains Directly

4.) Deep Cleaning (Optional)

5.) Allow Rug to Air-Dry

• Skip the bleach: Refrain from using chlorine bleach, ammonia, or oxygen bleach on wool rugs. These substances can harm the wool and cause colors to bleed or fade.
• Consult the experts: Opt for a professional carpet cleaning service for optimal care of wall-to-wall wool carpets.
• Avoid dry cleaning: Dry cleaning methods are unsuitable for wool rugs, as the solvents involved can damage wool fibers.
• Handle pet mishaps carefully: To tackle pet urine, neutralize odors on wool rugs with white vinegar. Mix a few tablespoons of distilled white vinegar with a cup of water and use it to lightly dampen the affected area. Blot dry with a towel and repeat until the smell is eliminated.
• Use dry carpet cleaner: To keep wool carpets fresh between cleanings, select a dry carpet shampoo specifically made for wool.
• Rotate regularly: Rotate your rug with the seasons to prevent uneven wear and sun fading, which helps extend its lifespan and maintain an even appearance.
• Annual steam cleaning: Perform a steam cleaning of your wool rug once a year to remove embedded dirt and debris. Avoid frequent steaming, as high temperatures can harm the fibers.
• Care for the fringe: If your rug has fringes, avoid vacuuming these areas directly to prevent damage. Use a handheld vacuum or an upholstery tool for fringe cleaning.
• Minimize shedding: For new wool rugs that shed, vacuum them once or twice weekly to manage loose fibers, which typically resolves after a few months.