How to Clean a Wool Rug? A Detailed Cleaning Guide

Wool rugs are popular for their long life and stability. Wool helps keep your floors warm, and a natural substance in these rugs prevents microbes and dirt. It has a lot of advantages, but it is not easy to clean. You will be wondering how to clean a wool rug?

Maintaining a wool carpet in an unspoiled condition is not an easy task. Most homeowners have damaged their expensive wool rugs by using ordinary everyday vacuums.

If you are going to clean it yourself, you should be careful. Keep reading this guide to know how to clean a wool rug with a DIY approach.

 

Tools and Materials Required

• Microfiber cloth
• Paper towels
• Broom or rug beater
• Sponge
• Baking soda
• Dishwashing soap
• Sponge
• Vacuum
• Vinegar

How Often is Wool Rug Cleaning Required?

Your wool area rug requires deep cleaning at least once in two weeks. Regularly removing dirt will prevent dust and grime from gathering on the rug, and its life will increase. However, this schedule changes depending on your traffic.

1. In high-traffic areas, rugs must be cleaned every week or whenever it gets dirty.
2. If you are a pet owner, cleaning wool rugs should be done twice a week because pet hair gets caught in the rug fibers and their muddy paws make a lot of dirt.
3. Clean rugs in a low-traffic area once a month or whenever you think they should be cleaned.

Keep in mind that whenever you clean a rug for the first few times, it will shed fibers, but it’s normal, and you don’t have to worry about this.

How to Clean a Wool Rug?

You understand how often wool rug should be cleaned; now it’s time to learn how to clean the rug at home.

You will be able to perform all the steps correctly if you have gathered all the tools and materials required. First, you should clean a fresh stain as soon as it occurs.

Spot Cleaning

Overall, cleaning is not required if something falls on the rug or spills occur in a limited area. You can solve this problem by spot cleaning. A short time is needed to do it.

Don’t start the cleaning process by rubbing the spot; it will spread the mess into the rug’s fibers.

1. Quickly pick up if any solid mess falls on the rug, such as pet vomit, solid food bits, or any dish with spilled pieces.
2. Take paper towels.
3. Blot the stain with it, but do not rub.
4. Make a 50:50 solution of water and vinegar in a container.
5. Submerge the microfiber cloth in it and wring it slightly.
6. Blot the stain with it and keep pressing so that the stain lifts.
7. Repeat this until the stain disappears.

Always use a white color cloth or towel to prevent transferring of colors onto the fibers. If the stain is old, you can clean it with the same method.

The older the stain, the longer it will take. You can also add wool rug cleaner to the solution for better results.

Another Method – 6 Easy Steps to Clean a Wool Rug

Step 1. Beating a Rug

The tendency toward collecting dust and dirt is more in wool rugs compared to other types. You can remove the dirt by beating the rugs.

1. You can beat the small rugs by shaking them. This can be done by holding or beating it with the fence.
2. Hang the large rugs on a firm clothesline.
3. Beat the rug with a broom or a rug beater to effectively remove the dirt and dust.
4. The process of beating rugs should be done many times to remove dirt as much as possible.

Step 2. Vacuuming the Rug

The heavily soiled rug does not clean by beating; you must also vacuum it. Lay the rug on clean ground and grab a vacuum.

1. Run the vacuum on both sides. Use it 2 -3 times on each side to remove the dirt completely.
2. Start the round-shaped rugs from the center to the edges to avoid damaging their shape.
3. Focus on the pile of the rug. Don’t use the beater bar or brush of the vacuum while cleaning; turn the vacuum on a suitable setting for wool rugs.
4. To clean a wool rug with a vacuum, use only the suction power for safe cleaning. If your vacuum doesn’t have the option to turn off the beater bar or brushes, you must use a handheld vacuum.

Step 3. Removing the Stains

If there are stains on your wool carpet, you must clean them before washing them.

1. Pour vinegar on the stained area.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain so that it is completely covered.
3. Leave it for a while.
4. Scrape the baking soda.
5. Blot with paper towels.
6. If any residue is left behind, blot it with a wet towel.

If this homemade solution didn’t work, you could use any rug stain remover. But, first, check it on a small unnoticeable area. If it’s safe, use it according to the instructions given on the label.

Step 4. Wash a Wool Rug

After removing the stains and dirt from your wool rug, you have to wash it. You can use any safe cleaning solution made for wool rugs, but a homemade cleaning solution is the best way to clean area rugs.

You can make a homemade rug cleaner by mixing dishwashing soap and vinegar.

1. Take a bucket of water and mix one cup of rug cleaner.
2. Now, dip a sponge into the solution.
3. Rub the entire rug thoroughly with it.
4. Clean the rug in the direction of the fibers.
5. Repeat this step several times until the solution you made in the bucket finishes.

Step 5. Rinsing the Wool Rug

When you have rubbed the rug with the cleaning solution, it’s time to rinse it.

1. Fill a bucket of clean water.
2. Now, dip a clean sponge into the bucket and wring it.
3. Use this sponge on the rug and rub it thoroughly.
4. Repeat this step until the cleaner residues are removed from the rug fibers.

Step 6. Drying the Wool Rug

Drying the rug is very important because wet rugs attract dirt and dust again. You can also use towels to dry them.

1. Take towels and blot the entire rug to remove the excess moisture.
2. After removing water from it as much as possible, take it to an open area and hang it on a wall. Leave it to air dry.
3. If you can’t take it outside, you can turn on a fan to dry it quickly and turn on the dehumidifier.
4. For quicker drying, place any object under the rug for increased airflow around its sides.

Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Wool Rug

Remember these dos and don’ts to keep the wool rug clean.

• Do scrape the solid messes and blot the moisture with paper towels repeatedly.
• Do check the cleaning solution on a hidden area; if it’s safe, use it.
• Do use cold water to rinse the wool rug; it will not damage its fibers.

• Don’t rub the stain or spills over the rug. This will spread the stain into the rug fiber, making it more difficult to clean.
• Don’t use alkaline cleaning materials on wool rugs because the chemicals in these materials will cause them to discolor.
• Don’t use hot water in cleaning the wool rug because it will shrink.

Maintenance of a Wool Rug

Remember these maintenance tips to get your wool rug long-lasting.

• If there is any mud stain on the wool rug, give it time to dry before starting the cleaning process.
• To prevent the designs of the rug from wearing, rotate them.
• Don’t lay a wool rug in the dining room or any room where you eat or drink.
• Don’t allow your kids to do messy activities on them.
• You can protect your rugs by placing mats over them.

Prevention Tips

• Wear off your shoes if you have to walk on the rugs or carpets. In this way, dirt and dust will not accumulate in their fibers.
• Don’t allow your pets to walk on your wool rugs. Their paws must be clean.
• Pay attention to your rug while drinking red wine to prevent it from wine spillage.
• Don’t smoke in the room where the wool rug is placed because it ruins its color.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Procedure to Clean Rug Wool at Home?

• First, shake your rug well to remove all the dirt and dust.
• Vacuum it to get out the embedded dirt.
• If there are any stains, wash them with a safe cleaner.
• Rinse it well with cold water and let it dry.

Is it Possible to Wash a 100% Wool Rug?

It is possible to wash 100% wool rug and use a safe cleaning solution, so the rug’s fibers don’t get damaged.

Is it Good to Shampoo a Wool Rug?

Before cleaning a wool rug with a cleaning shampoo, test it on a small area that is not easily visible. If it’s safe, use it by reading the instructions on the label.

Is it Possible to Clean a Wool Rug with Water?

Fill a bucket of cold water and add one cup of cleaning solution. Mix it well and use it to clean a wool rug.

Is Steam Cleaning Safe on a Wool Rug?

Steam cleaning is not recommended for wool rugs because steamers or hot water will shrink its fibers.

Conclusion

This article taught you how to clean a wool rug without ruining its fibers. Follow all the steps to clean it safely because a little carelessness will damage it.

All the maintenance tips should be kept in mind to keep these expensive rugs in good condition. Deep cleaning of these rugs should be done once a year.

If you feel difficulty cleaning them yourself, you can hire a professional.