Comprehensive Guide to Maintaining Your Wool Rug for Longevity and Beauty

Regular Vacuuming: The First Line of Defense

Handmade wool rugs are a beautiful and durable investment. To keep them looking their best, regular maintenance is key. Regular vacuuming is essential to remove dust and sediment that can settle into the fibers (think dusting the house). Make sure to get often ignored areas, for example the edge under the front feet of the sofa, under chairs, etc. When vacuuming always avoid the fringe. 

Spot Cleaning: Quick Actions for Long-Lasting Rugs

Spot cleaning for everyday spills can be as simple as quickly blotting the area with a moist, clean towel. Continue to blot the area with cool water, and if needed, use a mild soap solution, such as Dawn dish soap. For tougher stains like food or juice, follow the same process, and consider using a mild cleaner like Fantastik (the one without bleach). For grease-based stains, something like Simple Green can be effective. If you're unsure how to treat your stain, it's better to do nothing more than blot it with a clean towel. Remember never to use a cleaning machine or commercial cleaning products on a handmade rug; this includes all home steam cleaning machines.

Professional Cleaning: When and Why You Need It

While regular vacuuming and spot cleaning are essential, professional hand cleaning every 4-6 years is crucial for maintaining your handmade rug’s longevity. Our process begins by turning your rug over and beating or vibrating it to release embedded sediment. The rug is then washed, and we repeat the beating or vibrating process. As the rug is washed, the foundation relaxes, and more sediment continues to release. Cleaning out the foundation is one of the most important parts of the process, as it keeps the rug's foundation healthy. After the foundation is cleaned, the rug may have an odor because all the fibers have opened up (think of a wet dog). We deodorize the rug to eliminate natural odors without using heavy scents. The third step is to apply a moth deterrent, which is critical in the New England environment. Finally, we condition the wool, similar to conditioning your hair, to add moisture back into the fibers that have been stripped out with age and wear. Since the rug needs to dry between each step, the cleaning process usually takes between 2-3 weeks, regardless of size.

Handling Animal Accidents: A Step-by-Step Approach

Animal accidents need to be treated promptly. Quickly flush out the affected area with cool water, dab it dry, and if needed use a mild detergent cleaner like Dawn in a water solution. Once the area is clean, mist the are with white vinegar in a spray bottle. Speed is crucial, as the acids in pet waste can compromise the dyes and fibers of your rug, causing them to bleach out or in some cases, turn brown. 

Conclusion

Proper care and maintenance of your handmade rug will give it the longevity you'd expect from an heirloom piece. With regular vacuuming, spot cleaning as needed, and periodic professional cleaning from Kaoud Rugs, your handmade rug will last a lifetime in your home and perhaps in your children's home.

For expert cleaning services or more advice on rug care, give us a call at 8665885200 or schedule here.