Emily's House London - How to Clean a Wool Rug

We love the beauty of all wool rugs at Emily’s House London. They can instantly transform a room, add that homely touch and splash of colour when needed. But, what happens if you spill your glass of red wine, your kids create muddy footprints or it simply gets dusty and dirty over time? Well, the good news is that your wool rug can be easily cleaned. Below we offer a step-by-step guide on how to clean your wool rug, and how to tackle those one-off stains, spots and spills.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WOOL RUG

Below we offer a detailed and step-by-step guide on how to clean your wool rug. This works for small to medium sized rugs. Bigger rugs are difficult to handle when wet and therefore best left to professionals.

1. Get Rid of Loose Dirt

Before you start the cleaning process, it is important that you get rid of all accumulated dust and dirt. This alone is very damaging to the delicate wool fibres. This process is best done outside by beating the rug with a wooden broom. Hanging the rug on a designated washing line is also a good idea, as the rug needs to be fully dry in order to get rid of all dust and dirt. 

2. Vacuum the rug

It is very important to fully vacuum your wool rug prior to cleaning. Be sure to check that your vacuum cleaner is adjusted to the high height setting, so as to avoid damaging the wool fibres. Go gently and vacuum the rug three times, followed by vacuuming the back of the rug. It is actually good practice to vacuum your rug at least twice a month to avoid the build-up of dust. 

3. Shampoo the rug

Once all traces of loose dirt and dust have been removed, it is then time to shampoo the rug. You need to make up a solution of cool water and rug shampoo, so make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Gently sponge this solution over the rug, working in the direction of the nap, the soft side to the wool. Once the rug looks visibly cleaner it is time to rinse off the solution with clean, cool water. Once again, apply with a sponge. Do this until the water runs clean and all soap has been removed. 

4. Dry the rug

The next step should see you thoroughly and quickly dry the wool rug. Squeeze out any excess water and hang out in the sunshine to help it dry. Although you can use a heater to speed up the drying process, never place a wool rug in a dryer as this will damage the wool. Make sure that the wool rug is thoroughly dry before placing back on the floor. If it feels a little stiff, then you can give it a gentle brush to bring out the softness of the nap. 

HOW TO TREAT THOSE ONE-OFF STAINS AND SPILLS

Below we explain how to deal with those one-off stains and spills, with the emphasis on acting quickly.

1. Blot don't rub

To help prevent any long-term staining then it is important to tackle the removal of any stain or spill as quickly as possible. The first thing you should do is to apply a clean towel to the spill and to gently blot the area. This will help to soak up any moisture. Do not rub, or try to scrub the rug to remove the stain, as this will only help to embed the stain even deeper into the wool fibres. Sprinkling baking soda onto the stained area can help to lift the stain. Just leave for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming.

2. Get rid of the stain

To help remove a stubborn stain, you can use a very dilute vinegar and water mix. Two cups of water, half a teaspoon of washing up liquid and half a cup of white wine vinegar should be mixed together. Test a small area of the rug prior to applying the mixture, and apply with a sponge in gentle strokes. You should see the stain slowly begin to lift. Always avoid bleach-based cleaners as they could leave white patches on the rug.

3. Remove moisture

Once the stain has been cleaned then you need to remove the excess moisture. Blot the area with cold water and then place a clean towel over the top, gently pressing to soak up the moisture. Continue to do this until as much moisture has been soaked up as possible. 

4. Dry the rug

Once as much moisture has been removed as possible, then you need to dry the rug. Lifting the rug from the floor and propping it up to dry is a good idea. Using air heaters or hair dryers will also speed up the drying process.  Make sure the rug dries properly,  to avoid the yarn from rotting

Emily's House London has a large range of wool rugs for you to choose from. Please do browse our website and get in touch with us today.