How to Clean a Wool Rug at Home the Right Way

How to clean a wool rug effectively depends on the type of stain and the specific type of rug. For example, a deep pile wool rug needs more dust removal than a flatweave wool rug. Wool makes for a fantastic rug material, supremely strong and durable as it is soft. But the fibres need extra care, especially when it comes to cleaning. 

Whether you have a large wool rug with a shaggy pile, a vintage wool rug you want to protect, or you want to deep clean a hand-woven wool rug, this expert guide shows you how to remove dirt without damaging the fibres.

General Maintenance Tips For Wool Rugs

Regular upkeep of wool rugs will keep them looking fresh and lasting longer, protecting your investment. Maintain the beauty of wool fibres with regular vacuuming. Don’t worry if you find that your new wool rug is shedding – this is because of the way wool fibres are naturally woven. Regular vacuuming, especially when you first get your rug, should combat this easily but we also have a detailed guide on how to make wool rug stop shedding.

When you vacuum, use a beater bar. This is just a metal bar affixed to the rotating brush rolls and works with the bristle brushes to lift dust and dirt that’s embedded in the wool. If you’re cleaning a wool rug with fringed edges, either avoid the edges or use a special upholstery attachment.

How to Clean Different Types of Rugs Properly

Generally, cleaning wool rugs requires the same methods and care whether it’s a large shaggy rug or a small flat weave wool rug. Deeper piles do need more regular cleaning as their longer fibres easily catch dirt and debris, but all wool rugs can benefit from the below.

How to Clean a Hand-Knotted Wool Rug

Cleaning a handwoven wool rug requires care and time to achieve effective results that don’t damage the wool fibres.

 The below method also covers:

• How to deep clean a wool rug 
• How to clean a pure wool rug
• How to clean a thick wool rug
• How to clean a deep pile wool rug

How to Clean a White Wool Rug

White wool rugs, though uniquely beautiful, can be a pain to keep clean. The colour means dirt and spillages are easier to see and harder to remove completely. Harsh chemicals and cleaning methods risk damaging your white rug.

Follow these steps if you’ve spilt something on a white wool rug:

• Immediately scoop up anything solid
• Blot anything liquid with a white rag or a piece of plain kitchen roll with no design on it, as prints and colourings may bleed out onto your rug and stain the whiteness
• Dab stubborn marks with a clean sponge and soapy warm water, soaking up excess water afterwards with a clean towel you don’t mind staining

If you have a particularly bad stain on your white wool rug, consider using hydrogen peroxide. Also known as rubbing alcohol, this chemical is ideal for coffee stains and red wine stains. Dab the solution onto a clean white rag and blot the stain until it disappears. Sponge clean water onto the area you’ve treated and leave it to dry to remove traces of the solution.

More guidance on white rug maintenance.

How to Clean a Wool Rug From Pet Urine

Because wool rugs hold several times their weight in water, pet urine tends to soak down into the fibres, leading to a stain that grows outwards. The most important thing is to act quickly; dried urine presents a much bigger problem.

If you get to it swiftly, you can simply use soapy water. Soak a clean cloth in warm soapy water and gently dab the affected area. Work from the outside in, to prevent the stain from spreading. Dab dry with a clean cloth. 

White vinegar is a great cleaner for wool rugs as it’s gentle on sensitive material. 

How to clean a rug from dog urine with vinegar:

• Mix about 60ml of white vinegar into 500ml of water and put it in a spray bottle.
• Apply the solution to the urine stain and blot it using a clean, damp cloth. Then blot the area a few times with a clean, dry cloth to remove excess liquid. 
• Leave it to work for about 15 minutes before blotting again. 
• Hang the rug to air-dry, preferably outside.

If there is a lingering bad smell once dry, you can use baking soda to neutralise the odour. Sprinkle a little over your wool rug and let it sit overnight. In the morning, vacuum it up.

The above methods are also perfect if you’re wondering how to clean a wool rug naturally. 

How to Clean a Vintage Wool Rug

A vintage wool rug needs extra care. If your rug is especially dirty, or you’re worried about damaging it, the best thing to do is get a professional cleaning service. Do not steam clean a vintage wool rug as it will break down the wool and ruin it. 
If you would like guidance on cleaning vintage wool rugs, contact our helpful team who will be happy to pass on specialist advice.

What NOT to Do When Cleaning a Wool Rug

When choosing how to clean your wool rug at home or by hand, it’s helpful to keep in mind these essentials:

• Dab gently, don’t rub: When wool is wet, the yarns are weaker and more easily damaged by excessive rubbing. Always dab gently. 

• Don’t get a wool rug too wet: Too much moisture can lead to mould in wool rugs. When using liquid to clean a wool rug, make sure to dab it dry to remove any excesses.

• Don’t use harsh stain removers: Alkaline detergents and laundry soaps have added buffers to keep their pH stable, which can lead to colour bleeding in wool rugs. Avoid these and avoid standard shampoo rug cleaners. 

• Know how to steam clean a wool rug: In short, don’t. Steam cleaning can break down the wool fibres causing irreversible damage. 

More advice on how to clean rugs.

Find Your New Favourite Wool Rug With Rugs Direct

A wool rug is a fine investment for the home, adding style and warmth to any room and unparalleled comfort underfoot. Rugs Direct stocks hundreds of quality rugs made from wool in a wide range of sizes and designs, including blue, cream, and grey wool rugs. From the sophisticated luxury of pure wool to more affordable woollen blends, we have a huge selection guaranteed to include the perfect wool rug for you. 

You can browse by colour, room, size, and shape to make the shopping process completely hassle-free. We deliver across the UK for free and offer an easy returns system that means you can buy with peace of mind.