How to Clean Wool Rugs with Household Items

One of the best investments you can make in your home décor is a wool rug or rug, and like other textiles, you can clean a wool rug at home to maintain its condition. Wool floor coverings are warm and durable underfoot, making them a perfect match for any style of home design. As an organic, renewable fiber that inhibits the growth of bacteria, wool contains natural lanolin, which repels stains and dust mites. Whether you own a vintage hand-knotted Persian rug, a modern woven wool rug, or a whole wool rug, you can clean your wool rug in a few simple steps to protect your investment.

What You’ll Need

Equipment/Tools

• Vacuum
• Broom
• 2 barrels
• Sponge
• Old towels

Material

• Lingshui
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of mild wool detergent

Tip: In addition to using a commercial wool detergent, use baking soda or vinegar to clean wool carpets. Baking soda is safe for wool rugs and provides a quick and refreshing no-wet option, while vinegar is best for removing odors like pet urine.

How to Clean Wool Carpets

01. Shake off Dirt

Choose a sunny, mild day to deep clean smaller wool rugs. Take the rug outside and hang it on a sturdy clothesline, porch railing, or a few sturdy chairs. Beat the carpet with a broom, tennis racket, or carpet mixer to loosen the dirt that is deeply embedded.

This is also the time to remove the carpet mat, shake it well outside, and clean the floor under the carpet.

02. Vacuum the Carpet

Lay the rug flat on the deck, patio or clean tarp with the reverse side up. Vacuum well. Turn the rug over and vacuum the other side. If you don’t have an outdoor space, use the kitchen floor, garage, or any dry area.

How to Deep Clean Wool Carpets

01. Mix a Mild Detergent Solution

Use a mild cleaner such as Woolite to clean wool rugs safely. Fill a large vat with cold water, then add one to two tablespoons of detergent (or homemade wool detergent) and mix well. Fill the second bucket with clean, cool water.

02. Scrub Gently

Dip the sponge in the cleaning solution and start wiping one end of the carpet. Work in a grid of approximately 3 feet x 3 feet and gently press the cleaning solution with a sponge. When dirt is transferred from the carpet, rinse the sponge frequently. Do not over-wet the fiber. Wool is highly absorbent and takes a long time to dry.

03. Rinse off the Soapy Water

Soak a clean sponge in fresh water and pat each section to “rinse” the cleaned area. Do not skip this step as any detergent left in the fibers will attract more dirt.

04. Absorb Moisture

Blot the cleaned area with an old towel to absorb excess moisture. Move to a new section and repeat these steps until the entire surface is blotted.

05. Let It Dry

Allow the rug to dry completely before putting it back on the rug mat. To speed up the drying time, hang the carpet or raise it to improve air circulation. You can also use a carpet cleaner on a wool carpet to remove moisture by using the machine in a vacuum-only environment without a cleaning solution and hanging the carpet until it is completely dry.

How to Remove Stains from Wool Carpets

Spills and muddy footprints happen from time to time, but prompt treatment is the best way to protect your wool rug. To eliminate many other issues, follow the guidelines for specific stains. Still, there are a few tips you should use every time you clean stains from a wool rug:

• Do not wipe: Never wipe new stains. Immediately remove any solids with a blunt edge such as a spoon or spatula and blot the liquid with a generous paper towel. Friction will only push the stain deeper into the fiber.
• Allow the mud to dry: When the mud has dried on the carpet, clean it up. Dry mud stains are easier to remove by using a blunt-edged tool and vacuuming up brittle pieces.
• Tap the stain remover: Never pour any type of stain remover directly onto a wool rug. Place a small amount of cleaner on a white cloth and test it to make sure it doesn’t cause the color to bleed or disappear. This also helps to avoid excessive soap residue left in the wool fibers.
• Gentle: Always use a stain remover recommended for wool rugs (e.g., emergency stain rescue), a gentle cleaner (e.g., Woolite), or a simple dishwashing liquid and warm water.
• Avoid bleach: Never use chlorine bleach, ammonia, or oxygen bleach on wool carpets. These chemicals can damage the wool and cause the color to bleed or disappear.
• Try baking soda: Clean the wool carpet by lightly sprinkling it on the affected area with baking soda. Let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it. Repeat as needed until the stain is removed.

How Often to Clean Wool Carpets

Vacuuming regularly is key to keeping your fibers beautiful. New wool rugs shed fibers. Don’t panic: this is normal due to the way the wool fibers are woven and your rug won’t become bare. Most of the shedding will occur in the first few months. If you vacuum at least twice a week during this period, the phenomenon of shedding will decrease very quickly.

Use a quality vacuum cleaner with a stir bar to help remove embedded dust and dirt. If your rug has tassels, vacuum starting in the center of the rug and avoiding the edges to prevent damage. A vacuum cleaner with a stir bar may damage the fringe edges, so use a handheld vacuum cleaner or upholstery attachment to clean the fringe edges.

Can You Machine Wash Wool Rugs?

It seems easier to use a carpet cleaner on a wool rug or rent a rug suction machine from a home improvement store. While a carpet extractor can successfully deep clean this material, it must be done correctly or damage may occur.

The key to properly cleaning a wool rug is not to drown it with too much water and not let it get wet for too long, as wool naturally absorbs water and can easily lead to mold growth if not dried properly. Wool is also easily damaged by hot water temperatures and bleaching soap provided by some extractors.

If you want to use a extractor to speed up the cleaning of your wool rug, there are a few key steps you need to follow:

1. First, use a carpet vacuum cleaner with a real upholstered rod instead of just a large carpet floor attachment with bristles, as this can be too strong for some carpets, and these units tend to dump more water.
2. Use cold water and a wool-safe detergent such as Woolite, just like the manual method, as hot water and strong detergents containing bleach can cause wool to shrink and discolor.
3. Pull the suction stick along the carpet with a fast, even action so that it doesn’t overwhelm anywhere.
4. If your machine allows you to use the suction power of an upholstery attachment without spraying the solution, “dry” it on the carpet a few times to absorb as much water as possible before drying. If your machine is unable to dry the extract, dry the carpet with a towel like the manual method.
5. Finally, blow dry the carpet with as much airflow as possible, either by turning on the fan, lifting the carpet off the floor, opening the window, or better yet, all three.

Tips to Keep Your Wool Rug Cleaner for Longer

• Having a “no shoes indoors” policy can help extend the necessary cleaning intervals.
• Hiring a professional carpet cleaner is the best option for cleaning an entire wool rug.
• When handling the urine of a cat or dog, clean the wool carpet with vinegar to neutralize the odor. Mix a few tablespoons of distilled white vinegar with a glass of water and use it to moisten the affected area. Gently blot it dry with a towel and repeat as needed until the smell is gone.
• To refresh your wool rug between cleans, choose a “dry bath” with a dry carpet shampoo specially formulated for wool rugs.
• Rotate carpets seasonally to prevent uneven fading caused by excessive wear and sun exposure. This will help the carpet to be more durable and form an even overall patina.
• Steam clean your wool carpet annually to remove dirt and debris from deep within the carpet. Avoid regular steam treatments, as the heat can damage the wool fibers.