Rug Cleaning Tips
Vacuum rugs regularly. Eighty percent of soil in rugs is dry particulate matter that acts as sandpaper and wears out the rug.
Address spills and pet accidents immediately by absorbing as much of the liquid as possible. Then apply a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar and blot – do not rub – the area with white tissue or white towels. Resist the temptation to use over-the-counter spot removers. Most are too aggressive and contain some type of bleach. Also, spot removers applied directly to the rug can leave soap residue and cause rapid soiling.
Hand-made rugs should be professionally cleaned every two to four years according to the Oriental Rug Importers of America. Rugs used in heavily trafficked areas, such as an entry hall, may need to be professionally cleaned every year. Waiting too long between cleaning makes deeply embedded soil impossible to remove completely, especially with thick rugs.
Never have your rugs cleaned in your home unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as excessive size or weight. In-home cleaning leaves soap and dirt residue in the rug that causes it to resoil quickly, the fringe cannot be cleaned in home, and the rug may mildew on the floor because of inadequate drying.
Protect your wool rug from stains and soil with a stain protector. Our Supershield® fabric protector has been independantly and scientifically tested by Woolsafe®, which has approved it as safe and effective in protecting wool rugs.