Wool rugs are warm underfoot and look beautifully luxurious with any style of home design. Good quality rugs are known for being durable and long-lasting, however, any rug, regardless of the material, can get damaged and requires some level of care and maintenance.
Whether bedroom rugs or living room rugs, spills and stains can happen, and if you’re hosting guests in your home, the chances are even higher that something will get dropped on your rug.
Prompt treatment is essential, but during a party, you may not always be able to clean up a spill straight away. If you’ve noticed some new marks on your rug after having a party and need to give your rug some TLC, we have some tips for removing stains and getting your rug back to looking good as new.
Address Immediately
Any spills on your rug should be dealt with as quickly as possible, as the longer a stain sits on the rug the harder it will be to remove.
Depending on what has stained your rug, the cleaning process may differ for you to get the most effective results.
If a liquid has been spilt on your rug, it should ideally be attended to immediately. Whereas, if muddy footprints have been tracked all over your beautiful rug, unlike with liquid spills and stains, it’s best to let the mud dry before trying to clean it off.
Whether it’s a small family gathering or a large house party, accidents can happen, and often cleaning your rug is the last thing on your mind, but to minimise the risk of lasting damage it’s always best to give your rugs a clean after a party.
Don’t Rub
Never scrub at stains, as scrubbing can push the stain deeper into the rug fibres causing further damage.
Try to contain a spill by scooping up any solids, then use a paper towel or a tea towel to gently blot the spill, working from the outside to prevent the stain from spreading. Some liquids may be able to be completely removed just by blotting, but if the stain is not lifting you may need to use a specialised rug cleaning product.
With wool rugs, check what products are safe to use as some chemicals can be too harsh and result in permanent damage. If you’re unsure or the stain is particularly bad and you’re unsuccessful in your attempts to remove it, you may want to take your rug straight to the professionals.
Be Gentle
While wool rugs are quite durable, when cleaning a stain you want to be gentle so you don’t cause additional damage.
When using a stain remover or rug cleaning product, gently dab it on and don’t pour directly onto the rug. This helps prevent excess residue on the rug.
Use warm water, not hot, when trying to remove a rug stain, as hot water can cause the stain to set, and press dry, as rubbing when wet can alter the rug’s texture. And, do not walk on your rug until completely dry.
Avoid using harsh chemical products like bleach that could result in permanent damage to the rug.
If in Doubt Hire Professional
If the stain is old, or your attempts have not been successful, taking your wool rug to experts in rug cleaning may be the best option to get your rug looking good as new.
Professional rug cleaners use products and processes specially designed for cleaning rugs, but make sure to ask if they have experience removing stains from wool rugs so you can feel confident you’re leaving your rug in good hands.
You want to ensure your rug will maintain its lustre for years to come, so even when not removing stains it can be a good idea to get them professionally cleaned at least once a year.
While there are numerous types of rugs for sale, wool rugs are a great investment that, when properly cared for, will look great in your home for years.
Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.
