How to Wash a Wool Rug?- Simple Cleaning Tips At Home That Work

Wool is the premium rug material for any home. You want durability? Warmth? Feel? Wool is your best friend. In fact, even the most luxurious, age-old traditions of carpet making prefer wool! Think of your Persian rugs or Oushaks. However, these long-lasting rugs do need good care when it comes to cleaning. Thus, this blog prepares to answer the question, ‘How to wash a wool rug?’

How to Wash a Wool Rug? – Why It Needs Care?

Wool has an oil called lanolin. This oil helps it resist dirt and stains, and is responsible for its longevity. However, this oil itself is quite vulnerable to harsh cleaners and heat. Therefore, washing against this oil can cause your rug to shrink. It may also cause felting or colour bleeding!

If you wish to keep your wool rug in top condition for generations, you cannot damage the natural oil and weaves. Yet, there is a way to do this! It requires good technique, a few simple household items, and patience! So let’s check out our step-by-step guide to wash wool carpets!

How to Wash a Wool Rug – Steps Before Cleaning

Cleaning without dedicated industrial cleaners is a chore that’s absolutely worth it! However, it’s important to have some things in place before you get to the cleaning stage. This ensures that you don’t make things worse for your rug, like accidentally grinding dirt deeper into the fabric. Here are three quick tasks to complete beforehand:

• Vacuum Both Sides: Quickly run your vacuum across both sides of this rug, the front and the back. Then, you’ll be ready with a rug that only has stains to be cleaned. This is exactly what you want!
• Shake It Out: If you have a small rug, an additional step would be to beat it gently. This releases any trapped dirt from the rug, ensuring a successful cleaning.
• Cleaner Patch Test: Test the cleaning solution we’re about to recommend on a small patch of the rug. It shouldn’t cause problems. Yet, rugs can react unpredictably to any and all chemicals. Test a small corner with a damp cloth to ensure that the colour doesn’t bleed.

Once you’re done with that, you’re ready for a deep cleaning of your wool rug. Then, move over to our seven step guide:

Step-by-Step: How to Wash a Wool Rug at Home?

Step 1: Create a Gentle Cleaning Solution

Time to give rugs our homemade elixir of life. This is really just two cups of lukewarm water with a few drops of liquid soap. Any wool-safe detergent or even baby shampoo can work for this. However, ensure you’re not using hot water, which can cause shrinkage or colour fading.

Step 2: Lightly Dampen the Rug

Time to introduce water, but not a full soak! Lay out your rug on a clean surface, maybe out on your deck or on a tiled area. Then, dab it with a sponge or a soft cloth. We want a slightly damp rug, so be gentle as you prepare it for cleaning.

Step 3: Gently Wash the Surface

Time for the elixir! Dip your sponge or cloth into your soap solution, and wring out excess liquid. Then, gently blot the rug’s surface, moving in circular motions. Meanwhile, keep your focus on visible stains, or even high traffic areas, as you work in small sections. It truly is a test of patience!

Step 4: Rinse Carefully

Now that the rug has been cleaned with soap, it’s time to clean the soap out! Dip a fresh sponge in water and wipe away the soap residue. Remember, the intent is not to soak the rug entirely, so keep going with a gentle touch.

Step 5: Blot Excess Moisture

Now to start getting the water out. Air drying takes ages on a dripping rug, so we need to help it out! Thus, use a dry towel and blot the surface, absorbing as much moisture as possible. You can even press the towels gently into the rug to draw out water from deeper fibers!

Step 6: Air Dry Thoroughly

Air-drying time! Lay down your rug in a shaded, ventilated area. Sunlight or heat can fade the colours of the rug, and so it’s important to let only the wind do its thing. However, be careful not to hang a wet wool rug anywhere, because the weight of the water can and will distort its shape!

Step 7: Fluff and Restore Texture

Now we’re at the end! Once your rug is dry, it’ll still maintain a certain sleekness from this wash. Sleekness is not what you want from a wool rug. Therefore, it’s time to fluff up your dry rug! Give it a light vacuum, and gently brush its fibres. Slowly but surely, you’ll see the rug recover its softness and plumpness!

With these steps, your rug should look and feel as good as new! Good job!

Best Way to Clean Wool Rugs (Pro Tips)

We’ve already gone through an extensive step-by-step guide for rug cleaning. However, there are some common mistakes people make, which their rugs simply cannot recover from! So let’s remember some key points in cleaning wool rugs:

• Use Cold Water Only: As discussed above, hot water can cause colour fading. Moreover, it can also cause wool fibres to shrink. Accordingly, the rug loses its shape, which is terrible for a luxury product!
• Avoid Steam Cleaners: Steam cleaning is an easy, attractive option. However, it strips away lanolin from wool fibres, which can have massive consequences.
• No Bleach or Harsh Detergents: Our step-by-step guide was specifically to avoid these cleaners. They can discolor or weaken the rug.
• Rug Pad Protection: Always use a rug pad underneath your rugs to prevent moisture buildup and protect your flooring. Remember, prevention is often better than cure!
• Routine Maintenance: Our cleaning guide should ensure your rugs are always good as new. Yet, vacuum weekly and rotate your rug every few months. This prevents even the lightest uneven wear and fading.

For broader care tips across different rug types, you can also read our expert guide on how to clean rugs.

FAQs on How to Wash a Wool Rug

Q. How often should I wash my wool rug?

Ans: Every 12–18 months is ideal for a deep clean, depending on foot traffic. Light vacuuming and spot cleaning in between will keep it fresh.

Q. Can I use vinegar on a wool rug?

Ans: Yes, in moderation. White vinegar helps neutralize odors and remove mild stains, but always dilute it with water before applying.

Q. How do I dry a wool rug after washing?

Ans: Air drying is best. Lay it flat in a shaded area and avoid direct sunlight or heat sources.

Q. Can you steam clean a wool carpet?

Ans: It’s not recommended, as steam can damage wool’s natural oils and cause shrinking. Stick to cool, dry methods.

Q. What’s the best way to clean wool rugs with pets?

Ans: Vacuum regularly, treat accidents promptly with a vinegar-water solution, and sprinkle baking soda for odor control.

Wool rugs are investments in comfort and style! With the right care, they can last for decades. Thus, learning how to wash a wool rug is an investment in itself! Now that you’re an expert, feel free to buy the most lavish rug for your home from Carpets Bazaar, and give them a life that lasts for generations!