How to clean a rug

We decorate interiors that surround us every day in a way that meets our aesthetic and functional requirements. However, to really enjoy their beauty, we need to keep our furniture and décor accessories in good condition. To do that, we should not only both dust and clean our floors on a regular basis, but also choose decorative elements which are naturally easy to maintain and clean. Just like wool rugs.

A stain on the rug – act quickly!

Every rug requires its owner to regularly clean and dust it. Regular removal of dust and mites from its surface helps prevent bigger stains and keep the wool surface in a satisfactory condition. The fundamental rule is, of course, a quick reaction which determines the effectiveness of stain removal. Liquids spilled on a rug must be gathered with a paper towel or a cloth. Dry products can be gently removed using a spoon followed by a vacuum cleaner. Stains should be always cleaned from their edges towards the centre, without rubbing the rug surface, as it can only spread a stain and cause pile deformation. What is incredibly helpful in the removal of dry stains is the natural structure of wool that resembles fish scale and prevents stains from penetrating into the deeper layers of the rug.

For products with a cut pile layer it is natural that loose fibres come out of the surface of the rug, especially at the beginning of use. Of course, it affects only a small percentage of the pile weight, therefore frequent and careful rug vacuuming is so important.

Wet rug cleaning

Unfortunately, the longer and more intensive use of a rug, the more visible the stains become that we cannot remove using only a vacuum cleaner. This is why a good solution is wet rug cleaning which helps restore our floor decoration to its flawless appearance. In this process, you should avoid hot water – make sure it is lukewarm to avoid an unpleasant surprise in the form of a matted pile. Remember not to “overflow” wool with a large amount of water, also after using specialist detergents dedicated for these types of products. An alternative for handwashing is a vacuum rug washer which helps remove impurities from the surface of the rug while keeping its optimal moisture and proper water drainage. When a wool rug gets wet, it can fill the air with a distinctive “woolly” smell which is a typical reaction of this product when it comes into contact with water.

A natural resistance to stains and impurities that wool rugs have makes cleaning an easy task. Even if we accidentally spill a liquid on it, the key role is played by a membrane covering the core of the wool fibre which prevents the liquid from penetrating into the deeper layers of a rug.

How to clean stains

While refreshing a stained rug at home, you can use widely available products. Depending on the type of stain, a different product can prove to be efficient in fighting the stain that can be easy or difficult to remove. Some of the stains which are easy to remove include chocolate, egg or cream stains – created by food products we can remove using a rug shampoo. In the case of possible floor polish or grease stains – a solvent for greasy stains is effective and it is great for removing more difficult stains, such as lipstick. In the case of extremely difficult stains, it is worth hiring a professional company that deals with rug care and cleaning.

Rug care – effects

The effects of cleaning a wool rug and the frequency of this activity naturally depend on individual factors. If we are happy owners of dogs or cats, we have to use a vacuum cleaner more than once a week. A lot depends on how much we use our floor. A rug decorating our living room would require more frequent care than a rug in our bedroom.

Remember that it is largely up to us whether our wool rug will last for many years or not. When you get home, take off your shoes and when you drink wine or coffee, try not to spill it. Vacuum the floor regularly and remove stains immediately.

source: Agnella