April 18, 2009
Proper Wool Rug Care
DM
Lately we have been getting a lot of inquiries from our customers as to what the proper techniques are when trying to care for a wool rug. With that said we wanted to answer some of the most frequently asked questions around rug care.
What is the best way to clean a wool rug?
Rugs made from 100% wool usually require hand cleaning. However, the good news is, it is much easier than you would think! Cleaning is best done outside in the warmer weather. Firstly, it is always necessary to shake your rug to get rid of any debris that a vacuum might not have been able to pick up. Once you have thoroughly shaken your rug you will want to spray if down with a hose. Then, fill a bucket with water and mix in two cups of a mild detergent. Mix this around and apply the solution to your rug with a clean sponge or rag. Follow this up with a complete rinsing. Lastly you will want to dry your rug with several large towels. And of course you can always have your rugs professionally cleaned as well.
If my rug is located in an area that receives a lot of sunlight will it fade?
Occasionally if rugs are exposed to large amounts of, and intense sunlight they will fade. However, signs of color fading are seldom noticed in the first 5-7 years of owning a rug exposed to such sunlight. Additionally products like SunArmor provide protection from color fading and stains.
If my rug is located in area that gets large amounts of foot traffic will it break down?
There are two things that can be done to greatly minimize any possible effects of wear and tear to a rug from foot traffic. Number one by vacuuming your rug regularly you will remove dust and dirt which wears a rug down. Secondly by rotating your rug every 12 months you will minimize any effects of wear and tear from foot traffic.
We hope that you find this information helpful. The most important thing to keep in mind when browsing our modern rugs, all of the manufacturers and designers we work with create a very high-quality product giving you a rug that will tolerate stains, sunlight, and normal wear and tear very well.
You can find other product guides and tips here in our Modern and Contemporary Rug Guide.