As the world continues to move to eco-friendly homes, wool rugs are trending again. These handwoven carpets are made from all-natural fibers, but they have the benefits of synthetics, such as resilience against wear and tear and resistance against staining. And, since they’re made from shed sheepskin, there’s no harm done to animals to feel guilty about.
With so many comfy wool rugs on the market, it’s easy to find one that matches your home’s decor and aesthetic. But once you invest in these remarkable fabrics, it’s vital that you learn how to clean a wool rug correctly.
Here are the top tips and tricks to keep up with your wool rug and clean the fabrics when they’re light, dark, and pet-stained.
Regular Maintenance Matters
Unlike a standard carpet, you can’t use a typical vacuum cleaner. However, you should vacuum regularly to maintain the look of the rug. You’ll notice shedding for the first few weeks or so, but that’s normal. By using a beater bar — a metal bar attached to the vacuum’s rotating brush — you can keep your wool rug fresh and dust-free. Keep in mind that if your rug has fringes or extra threads, you should be cautious about vacuuming and stick with a hand attachment.
The Type of Cleaning Depends On the Color of the Rug
Cleaning a wool rug takes extra care, but it doesn’t matter if you have a small, flat carpet or a large rug with the telltale shag design that wool is famous for. Of course, the deeper the rug, the more care it takes to get rid of any debris. Since the wool fibers are long, though, they tend to catch much of the dirt before it gets down to the bottom of the carpet.
As with any carpet, the color of the rug plus the type of stain play a huge role in your cleanup. Light rugs, particularly white, are more challenging to clean after a stain. Never use harsh chemicals to clean your white or light wool rug.
Instead, use a white hand towel to blot the liquid off the carpet. Then, grab a clean sponge and dip it in soap and warm water. Use the sponge to dot the stain, taking care not to spread it. Use another dry towel to mop up any excess water. If the discoloration persists, you can dab hydrogen peroxide on a clean towel and use that solution to blot the stain.
Wool rugs in darker colors can also be cleaned with soap and water, but you don’t have to be as careful as you scrub the stain out.
Cleaning Up After Pets
Of course, cleaning up mud, wine, and food stains is one thing. But if you have pets, the odds of accidentally getting pet urine on the wool rug are high. And when that happens, you need to clean it up quickly.
Pet urine expands on wool rugs, so something that might be a small circle on a synthetic carpet becomes a large wet spot on wool. Dried urine stains and leaves a smell behind that’s challenging to remove. Grab the spot while it’s wet if possible, and use a clean cloth and warm, soapy water to blot up the urine from the outside to the inner part of the mess. Sprinkle with baking soda to neutralize any potential odors, and vacuum the excess powder up after 24 hours.
With these simple tips, cleaning any wool rug becomes a simple part of your housekeeping tasks. Add your favorite comfy wool carpet to any room for added warmth, texture, and style, and enjoy the results!
