When you think about keeping a home clean, vacuuming and washing floors probably come to mind. But did you know that rugs are among the dirtiest surfaces in your home? It’s true. Rugs trap dirt, dust, allergens, and even bacteria that can cause respiratory problems and illnesses.
Consequently, rugs require regular cleaning to keep them looking their best. The good news is that the process of cleaning rugs is easier than you might think. All you need is a little bit of knowledge and the right equipment and products.
What Materials Make Up A Wool Rug?
A wool rug is a piece of furniture that’s made from the fiber of sheep or goats. There are many different types of materials used in the creation of wool rugs.
A high-quality wool rug is made of 100% wool. Wool fibers are very soft, but they do require some special care in order to keep them in good shape. The materials that make up a wool rug include felt yarn and glue. The fibers are then felted together to create the rug. The final product is a thick and warm fabric that will last for many years with proper care.
How Often Do You Need To Clean Your Rug?
Wool rugs are very thick which causes them to accumulate increasing quantities of dust inside them. Consequently, it is prone to swift and constant dust accumulation. However, cleaning wool rugs is difficult and time-consuming. Most people don’t realize that this delicate material needs to be washed more often than other types of rugs. Wool rugs should be cleaned at least once a year. If you have pets or children, it is best to clean them more often. It can also vary depending on
- How much traffic arrives at your house
- How many footsteps it gets daily
- How cautious you are around the rug
How To Clean A Wool Rug?
You might be wondering how to clean a wool rug effectively and safely. If you want to know how to do this without damaging them, there are several methods you can use. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a long hose, or you may want to use the best wool-safe soap.
There are three popular methods for cleaning wool rugs. They are as follows,
1. Dry Cleaning
This is the most common method for cleaning woolen carpets and rugs. It involves,
- Shake
Shaking off dust and dirt from your rug if it is small in size or you can lend a hand or two if it’s bigger and heavier in size.
- Beating
You can hang your rug on a wall and beat the dust off it using a broom or something like this.
- Vacuum
Using a vacuum cleaner with a long hose attached you can vacuum your rug in a circular motion. You should take care not to suck up any of the fibers that are on the surface of your rug when using this method.
2. Wet Cleaning
This is a process that uses water, detergent, and chemical solvents to clean woolen carpets. It usually takes longer than dry cleaning but it is more thorough in removing dirt, stains, and other stains from the rug
- The Old Fashion Way
This process involves soaking your carpet with water completely and using detergent and chemicals to wash it. Always read the labels of your chemical and detergents before using them to know what ingredients these are made of to avoid damage. Finally, rinse off the water and dry it in sunlight or dryer. Make sure your rug gets enough sunlight or mold will grow on the wool inside your rug as it has very thick fiber.
- Steam Cleaning
Wool rugs have very thick fiber and it takes a lot of time to dry off entirely. Sometimes if the wool rug doesn’t get enough sunlight to get dry, it lets mold grow inside. So you can steam clean it which allows you to deep clean your wool rug and also reduces the chance of growing mold.
3. Spot Removal
This process involves using spot remover on spots of dirt or stain without doing any wet or dry cleaning. Different sports require different types of solutions though. The best way to clean spots from your rug is to use,
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Oatmeal
- Camomile tea
These elements remove spots from wool rugs effectively and also do not ruin the color.
Dry vs Wet Cleaning For Wool Rug
A dry vacuum cleaner is perfect for cleaning hard floors but it does not work as well on delicate fabrics like wool rugs. It also cannot remove as much dirt or dust from your carpet as a wet vacuum cleaner can.
A wet vacuum cleaner is perfect for cleaning carpets and rugs. It can clean the dirt and dust from your carpet without damaging it. But it can also cause mold and mildew to grow on carpets, which is why you should use a dry vacuum cleaner instead.
Seasonal Care
Wool rugs need special care during seasonal changes as they are made from natural elements. Let’s check out the problems you might face throughout the seasons and what you can do to prevent them.
Winter
With the onset of winter, these beautiful pieces of furniture can become a haven for molds, destroying them in a short period of time. Luckily, there are simple ways to keep your rugs fresh and mold-free,
- The first thing you can do is vacuum the rug every week or so. Regular vacuuming can remove dust and other pollutants.
- You should also wash your rugs on a weekly basis using a cleaner that is soap-based. You may also use a detergent that has enzymes in it. This will help the rugs stay fresh and clean.
- If your rugs are outside, you should give them a light coating of insecticide once every week. This will keep your rugs from being eaten by insects.
Removing Mold
Mold on your carpet can be a very difficult situation to deal with. Mold removal is one of the most important aspects of cleaning your carpeting. This is because it will prevent mold from growing and spreading in the future as it destroys your carpet in a small span of time and also makes sure that it does not affect the health of you and your family members.
There are many home remedies for removing mold from carpets, but they are all time-consuming, so here are some solutions that use less effort and time:
- Boiling Water
Fill a pot or pan with boiling water and place it on top of the affected area for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn yourself
- Mixing Vinegar And Salt
Vinegar is a popular household cleaner that is inexpensive and easy to find. However, it can also be used for other purposes such as removing mold from carpeting. Applying a diluted solution of vinegar and salt over the affected area, then vacuum up the old solution.
Spring
Spring is definitely everyone’s favorite but it is a season when pet hair, as well as pollen, can gather on your wool rugs. These can cause the wool rugs to become the perfect allergy trigger ridden with allergens. It doesn’t have to be this way. Follow these tips to keep your rugs looking as good as new,
- Vacuum your rugs regularly
- Brush your rug twice or more weekly
- Use a wet cloth to clean the surface
Getting Rid Of Animal Hair, Dander, and Pollen
A wool rug is a great storage of tons of animal fur. But here is what you can do to get rid of them,
- Spread baking soda on your wool rug. Let it sit for a while, like 20 to 30 minutes, and then vacuum it properly.
- If you are not happy with your results, then use vinegar and water on the 1:4 portion and dampen the white cotton cloth. Avoid colorful cloth cause color can come out of cloth and spoil your carpet. Finally, scrub your whole carpet with a cotton cloth and a vinegar mixer.
Fantastic Ways To Keep Your Wool Rug Looking New
Wool is a natural fiber that is soft and warm. It can be difficult to clean, but there are ways to keep it looking new,
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
- Use an old toothbrush for scrubbing stains on your woolen carpet.
- Use borax or laundry detergent as an alternative when you are washing your wool rug.
- Put some lemon juice in the carpet shampoo and use it to wash your wool rug.
- Fill a bucket with white vinegar and water and add some baking soda. Use it to wash your woolen carpet.
- Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water and apply it to your carpet after completing washing your rug to restore your rug shine.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a complete guide on how to clean wool rugs. From how often you should clean them, to how to get them looking like new again, we’ve got you covered. Rugs and carpets are often overlooked when it comes to keeping a home clean.
But a dirty rug or carpet can lead to a host of problems, from dirt tracked into your home to allergens and bacteria being dispersed throughout your home. That’s why it’s important to clean your rugs and carpets on a regular basis.
Rug cleaning is a great way to keep your rugs looking their best and freshness is key. You’ll want to make sure you’re using rug cleaning products that are safe for your rug, which will help prevent damage. Now it’s time to get to work on those wool rugs you’ve been neglecting! Go out there and clean some rugs.
