How to Care for a Handmade Wool Rug: Cleaning, Vacuuming & Stain Removal

Routine Vacuuming Best Practices

• Suction Only: Always use a vacuum cleaner on suction mode. Turn off rotating beater brushes, which can pull or fray delicate hand-knotted and tufted wool loops.
• Vacuum Along the Pile: Run the vacuum nozzle in the direction of the pile grain (run your hand across the rug: smooth is with the grain; rough is against it).
• Protect the Fringes: Avoid vacuuming over the fringe tassels directly to prevent tangling.

Emergency Spill Removal (Blotting, Not Rubbing)

1. Act Fast: Blot liquids immediately using clean white paper towels or a dry cotton cloth.
2. Never Rub or Scrub: Rubbing drives the spill deeper into the wool core and causes fiber blooming. Press firmly straight down.
3. Mild Solution: For stubborn spots, mix 1 teaspoon of mild wool detergent with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Dampen a cloth, blot gently from the outside edge of the stain toward the center, then dry with a clean towel.

Rug Rotation and Padding Protection

• Rotate Every 6 to 12 Months: Regular 180-degree rotation balances foot traffic wear patterns and prevents uneven sun fading.
• Use Quality Rug Pads: A dense rubber/felt rug pad prevents slipping, absorbs impact shock, and allows air circulation underneath the carpet.

Professional Cleaning

Every 2 to 4 years, send your handmade carpet to a specialized rug cleaner experienced in washing natural fibers. Avoid standard steam cleaning or aggressive chemical dry-cleaning.