General Overview
Regular vacuuming your wool rug is the key to continue the beauty of your rug fibers. Your new wool rug will shed fibers but don't panic because it is normal due to the nature of how wool fibers are woven & your rug won't become bare. The majority of the shedding will appear in the first few months of use. If you always vacuum at least twice in a week during the first few months then the shedding will instantaneously dwindle. Use a good vacuum with an attached beater bar to help lift ingrained dirt & dust. If your rug is fringed, start vacuuming in the center of your rug and avoid the edges to avert damage. Vacuums with attached beater bars & fringe don't mix well. Simply use your hand-held vacuum or an upholstery connection to clean your fringed edges. Periodically, rotate your rug to avert disproportionate wear patterns and unbalanced fading from sunlight. This will help your rug last longer and will develop an even patina overall.
Step By Step Process And Items Needed To Clean A Braided Wool Rug
If you want to clean a braided wool rug yourself, then you just need to collect certain items and follow all the given steps. Here is the list of required items and steps for this process:
Items Needed
- Cool Water
- Gentle Wool Wash Detergent
- Vacuum & Broom
- Two Buckets
- Sponge & Old Towels
Step By Step Process
- Shake Out The Dirt: In order to deep clean your smaller wool area rug, you need to choose a sunny & moderate day. Take your rug outside & hang it over your sturdy clothesline, veranda railing, or a couple of your solid chairs. You need to use your tennis racket, broom, or you can also use rug beater to hit your rug all over to loosen deeply ingrained dirt. This is the time to remove your rug pad and give it a good shake outside & clean your flooring under your rug.
- Vacuum: Spread your rug flat on your deck, patio, or you can also use a clean tarp with the wrong side up. Vacuum it well before turning your rug over and then you need to vacuum the other side. If you don't have any outside spot then you need to use your garage, kitchen floor, or the area that moisture will not damage.
- Mix A Gentle Detergent Solution: Now you need to fill your large bucket with cool water and also add 1-2 tablespoon of your gentle detergents like woolite or your homemade wool wash and simply mix it well. Fill your 2nd bucket with clean cool water.
- Lightly Scrub: Next you need to start your work from one end of your rug then dip your sponge into water & detergent. Work in a grid of about 3/3 feet and sponge on your cleaning solution using affable pressure. Rinse out your sponge intermittently as the soil is transferred from your rug but never over-wet your fibers. Your wool rug is very absorbent and will take a long time to dry wholly.
- Rinse Away Suds: Now you need to dip your clean sponge in some freshwater to "rinse" your area you've cleaned. Do not skip this step because any detergent left in your rug fibers will easily fascinate more soil.
- Blot Up Moisture: After that, its time to blot your cleaned area with some old towels to absorb any disproportionate moisture. You need to move to a new section and then you need to repeat the steps until the entire surface of your wool rug has been cleaned properly.
- Allow To Dry: Finally you need to allow your rug to dry entirely before placing it back on your rug pad. To speed your drying time, hang your rug or heighten it to improve air circulation.
Tips For This Process
- Never try to rub a fresh stain. Instantly, lift away any solids with a dull edge like a spatula or spoon and then you need to blot up any liquids with the number of paper towels. Rubbing the only thrust stain rooted in your rug fibers. The one exception is mud. It may be simple to remove any stains after the mud has dried.
- You need to know that never pour any type of stain remover precisely on your wool rugs. Place a dab of your cleaner on any white cloth and then you need to test it to be sure that it does not cause your rug colors to bleed. This also helps avert extra soapy residue left in your wool fibers.
- Always try to use any stain remover recommended for your wool rugs such as ESR emergency stain rescue, a gentle cleanser like Woolite or you can also use simple dishwashing liquid & lukewarm water. Also, add a bit of vinegar(white distilled) to help neutralize any pet odors. Never try to apply chlorine bleach, ammonia, or even oxygen-bleach to your wool rug. These chemicals can easily damage your wool and cause the rug colors to bleed.