A wool rug does not need much, but it does need the same few things done regularly: vacuuming, quick action on spills, and a rotation now and then. What follows applies to wool pile rugs and to wool flatweaves such as kilims.
The short routine
Vacuum once or twice a week, with the beater bar off on pile rugs. Blot spills at once and do not rub. Rotate the rug every few months, keep it out of long direct sun, and use a rug pad.
Vacuuming
Vacuum a wool rug once or twice a week, more often in a busy room. On a pile rug, switch the beater bar off or use the suction-only setting, because a spinning brush can pull at the pile. Go with the direction of the pile. On a flatweave such as a kilim, use low suction and vacuum both sides. Take care at the fringe: lift the vacuum over it, or brush it gently with a soft brush.
Shedding is normal
A new wool rug sheds loose fibres for the first weeks. It is short fibre left from making the rug, and it does not mean the rug is wearing out. Regular vacuuming clears it. If a single loop or tuft stands up, snip it level with the pile. Do not pull it.
When something spills
Act fast. Wool carries lanolin, a natural wax that slows a spill soaking in, so you have a little time, and it is worth using. Press a clean, dry cloth on the spill and lift, working from the edge in so the spill does not spread. Do not rub, because rubbing pushes the stain deeper and roughens the fibre. Then dab lightly with a cloth dampened in cold water and blot dry. Avoid hot water and do not soak the rug. Try any cleaner on a hidden corner before using it on the visible surface.
Do not use bleach. For solid spills, lift the solid with a spoon before blotting. If a stain stays, ask a professional rug cleaner rather than scrubbing it.
Rotate the rug
Turn the rug through 180 degrees every few months. That spreads footfall and sunlight across the whole surface, so one side does not wear or fade faster than the other.
Sun, heat and moisture
Long direct sun fades dyes, so use curtains or move the rug if a patch sits in strong light every day. Keep a wool rug away from direct heat, and check the heating maker's advice before you lay one over underfloor heating. Keep it dry, too: a rug that stays damp can develop mildew and a musty smell.
Use a rug pad
A pad under the rug stops it slipping, protects the floor and cushions the rug, which reduces wear on the underside. It matters most under flatweaves, which have no pile to grip the floor. Choose a pad a little smaller than the rug so it does not show at the edges.
Storing a wool rug
If you store a rug, clean it first, roll it rather than folding it, and wrap it in a breathable cover. Do not seal it in plastic. Check it now and then, because wool is a fibre that moths can eat.
When to call a professional
Ask a professional rug cleaner about a deep clean every so often, and about any stain that does not lift. Tell them the rug is wool and how it was made: hand-knotted, hand-tufted or flatweave. If you are choosing a rug and care matters to you, read how to choose a wool rug. We also wrote a general post on maintaining handmade rugs. Browse wool rugs.
Questions we get asked
How often should I vacuum a wool rug?
Once or twice a week, with the beater bar off on a pile rug. Use low suction on a flatweave.
How do I get a stain out of a wool rug?
Blot at once with a clean, dry cloth, working from the edge in. Dab with a cloth dampened in cold water and blot dry. Do not rub, soak or use bleach. For a stain that stays, use a professional cleaner.
Why is my new wool rug shedding?
New wool rugs shed loose fibres for the first weeks. It is normal, and vacuuming clears it.
Can I steam clean a wool rug?
Ask a professional first. Heat and soaking can harm wool, and the right method depends on how the rug was made.
Do I need a rug pad?
We recommend one. It stops slipping, protects the floor and reduces wear on the rug, and a flatweave needs one most.
