Surprisingly enough, cleaning a wool rug is a lot easier than most people think. By following these simple steps you will be able to clean your wool rug and save the money you would normally spend to have it professionally cleaned.

You will need a vacuum, a bucket, mild detergent, and clean rags or sponges. Start by thoroughly vacuuming your rug to pick up any loose debris, making the cleaning process that much more effective.

Next, take your rug outside and shake it vigorously. This will further remove loose debris and dust that the vacuum was not able to get. After you have sufficiently removed the loose debris, check your rug for stains. If there are stains, spot clean those areas first with a clean white rag and a carpet stain remover. It is important that you blot, not scrub, the stained areas. Often people are hesitant to use traditional carpet stain removers for fear that they made fade the rug’s color. You can avoid this by using a homemade solution of one or two teaspoons of mild detergent and a teaspoon of white vinegar in a small bucket of warm water to remove the stains.

After you have blotted any stains, wet your rug using a normal garden hose and cold water. Then mix some mild detergent with cold water in a bucket and use this solution to wipe down your rug with a clean rag or sponge. Be sure to focus extra attention on some of the dirtier areas of the rug as well as any stains that you may have missed the first time around. It is important to note that when cleaning your rug you should gently wipe, and not scrub, as this can destroy the pile and wear down the wool. When you have finished wiping down your rug, rinse it with the hose.

After you have finished washing your rug, dry it immediately. It is important not to let it stay wet for too long as the moisture could cause some bacterial growth. To dry it, lay out some large towels on the rug, and roll the rug up around the towels. The water from the rug will be absorbed by the towels. Using a wet/dry vacuum is also a good way to remove excess water.

It is recommended that you clean your wool rugs every 12 to 18 months. Just as important, vacuum regularly and treat stains immediately to keep your wool rugs in good shape for years to come.

Alycia Hartzell is a seasoned design professional with experience in both residential and commercial interior design. She writes for Domestic Modern - a leading retailer of modern rugs and contemporary rugs. Learn more at: http://www.domesticmodern.com/

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