Buying a wool silk rug is a lucrative investment. This is because it is aesthetically pleasing, durable, comforting, and blends well with your home decor. But maintaining a wool rug in its pristine condition is daunting if you don’t know how to clean it.
Due to no knowledge of wool rug cleaning, some people might ruin their wool rugs. So, it is better to hire a professional. Though they might charge you slightly higher, they can clean your wool rug efficiently.
So, if you are looking for ways to clean your woolen rug, this article is for you.
How to do a Wool Rug Cleaning?
Wool rug cleaning is a complicated and lengthy process but inexpensive. So, to clean your rugs at home, you must know the do’s and don’ts of your wool rug cleaning. The following tips will help you clean your woolen rug –
Starting with the Do’s
Let us start the wool rug cleaning journey with some do’s –
Vacuum it!
Vacuuming is the best and easier way to clean wool rugs. Vacuuming ensures the rug is thoroughly cleaned while inflicting damage on the rug fibers. Always ensure to use the vacuum in V action three times. Your vacuum must have a height, or the rug fiber might get agitated, leading to shrinkage and pilling of the wool rug.
Wool rug cleaning must be done twice a month. This is because they have tiny air pockets which capture the dirt. This makes your wool rug look clean for a longer time. So, vacuuming your wool rug releases all the first deposited into the air pockets. Ensure you are not over-vacuuming, as it will pull the natural fibers out of the rug.
Shake it Out!
If vacuuming your rug will take much of your time, then the best thing you can do is – take it outside and shake it off. This will eliminate all the dirt and debris deposited on the rug. This is also an effective wool rug cleaning technique. You can ask your family for help if your rug is too large. You can also leave your rug to smell fresh after spritzing with Febreze.
A Beating!
This is one of the most effective old-fashioned wool rug cleaning techniques. Beating a wool rug loosens all the dust particles without damaging the fibers. All the homeowners mostly love this. To beat your rug –
- Put a laundry rack outside
- Hang the wool rug on the rack.
- Go complete rogue on the wool rug with a rug beater.
You can buy a rug beater on Amazon and other online platforms. However, you can always use a wooden spoon if you cannot find one.
Steam Cleaning
Though many people are against this, some say this is the most effective way to clean a wool rug. You can use light steam to clean the rugs, as heavy steam can damage your luxurious wool rug. Also, remember to keep your steam cleaner at a distance of 6 inches from the rug. In addition, do not spend more than 5 seconds in one spot. Once done, keep them in a sunny place. This will help the rug to dry efficiently.
Spot Clean
Spot cleaning is the type of cleaning that gets rid of stubborn stains. Here are some ways to clean the spots depending on the types of stains –
Food, Soil, Cosmetics, Clay
Prepare the cleaning solution using the ingredients listed below –
- 1-liter water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- Mild dishwasher detergent
- Baking Soda
Now that you have a cleaning solution read,y pour it on the stain and blot the area with a microfiber towel. This is because rubbing the rug might cause damage to it.
Pet Mess and Alkaline Spills
It is best to use a white vinegar cleaning solution by following the steps above, or you can even prepare an ammonia solution with 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Pour the solution on the spot and rinse it well with cold water. Let it dry properly.
Wine, Fruit, and Vegetable Juice
In the case of red wine or fruit juice –
- Sprinkle some salt on it and let it sit.
- Once the salt has absorbed the stain, lift the residue with a spoon and rinse it with cold water.
- Make sure you are letting it dry completely.
Paint, Grease, and Oil
The best way to remove paint, grease, or oil from wool rugs is to use vinegar and ammonia. As always, rinse it after you have blotted the stains and let it dry naturally. You can also use baking soda and vinegar solution.
Now Comes the Don’ts –
- Wool rugs are expensive, so keep your shoes off your rug. Also, ask your family or friends not to step on them with shoes on.
- Limit pet activity around the rug or clean their paws regularly.
- Be cautious with your wine, paint, nail paint, cosmetics, oil, etc.
- Avoid smoking around the rug, as the smoke exhaled might lead to discoloration of the rug.
- Do not experiment with wool rug cleaning, as it might cause damage to the rug. Hire a professional. They will not ruin your precious rug.
- Never leave your rug soaking wet. This will cause mold to grow and ultimately will ruin your rug.
Conclusion
The wool rug cleaning process is more challenging than it seems. You must have to be very careful with what you are doing. Wool rug enhances your living room’s beauty, so take proper care. If you do not want to use a profession, keep vacuums handy, so you do not have to live with a dirty rug.
