WOOL RUG CLEANING

Most rugs we handle are wool pile with cotton or wool foundations. The washing is very simple and comparable to washing of wool sweaters at home: hand-washing with gentle shampoo specific for wool.

Cleaning a wool rug

There are obvious differences in washing a wool sweater and washing a wool rug at home. Here are the main reasons why one should leave rug washing to a professional oriental rug cleaner and not attempt cleaning at home or by a cleaner claiming they can clean your valuable area rugs onsite at your home:

  1. Removing deep dust and grit is the most important step in cleaning area rugs. Deep dusting is not possible with regular vacuuming and impractical even using a commercial vacuum.
  2. Proper and healthy way to clean area rugs is with water immersion and complete rinsing with lots of water but only after complete removal of dust trapped in rug's fibers and foundations.
  3. Rugs become very heavy and difficult to handle once wet.
  1. Dye, color run or bleed are possible in handmade oriental rugs when wet.
  2. Once wet some rugs are susceptible to going out of shape and becoming crooked.
  3. Proper drying may not be possible at home or at a rug cleaner without a temperature controlled drying room resulting in undesirable odors and possibly future foundation damage.

Still the most important reason to have your rug cleaned by a reliable oriental carpet cleaning specialist is the deep dusting prior to water wash, see notes on deep dusting at our Rug cleaning steps section and view our general cleaning steps and method.

Please also visit our showrooms of vintage and antique rugs, Antique Rug Company and of new rugs in contemporary, transitional and traditional designs, The Rug Affair, where you'll find our designs in stock and available in standard sizes and where your own creation of pattern and color can be custom made.