A wool area rug is a big investment, and you certainly want to keep it clean and in good shape. There are some ways that you can maintain your rug, and handle spills when they occur. The first thing that needs to be mentioned here is that you really should be vacuuming your rug once a week. Dust and dirt particles filter into the rug and will wear it out from the floor up unless you keep it vacuumed regularly. It is also a good idea to have your area rug professionally cleaned once a year. But in-between times, here is how to clean it.

– In case of a spill: If something is spilled on your wool area rug, the first thing you need to do is to soak up as much of the liquid as you can, using a towel or paper towels. Press the towel into the rug, and only use a light circular motion to get up as much of the spill as possible. Never scrub the spill and do not press too hard. This will actually drive the liquid into the fibers and cause staining. Scrubbing too hard will also damage the pile. After that, your best bet is to use a commercial carpet cleaning kit. You want to get one that uses foam and very little water. You should never use ‘oxy clean’ on your wool rug because this product is not meant for natural fibers. You should avoid powdered cleaners as well, as the powder goes deep into the pile of the rug and can cause wear later on.

– Washing your rug at home: It is possible, if you are very careful, to wash your rug at home. You need to take the rug outside and put it on a clean area that is paved in some way. Then you can wet the rug with a hose. Put a mild cleaner into a bucket of water and stir it up to make suds. Then, with a sponge, gently apply the suds to the rug. Never scrub hard or grind the suds into the fibers, instead, pat the suds into the pile. Rinse it completely and then use towels to soak up all excess water. The rug will be quite heavy.Lay the area rug flat out of direct sunlight to dry as the sunlight will fade the colors.

– Things to avoid: Again, you do not want to scrub your rug. You should never use powdered cleaners or ‘oxy clean’ on your rug. Do not steam-clean a wool area rug as the steam heat will cause it to shrink. Never let the rug get too wet, or fail to dry it completely before putting it back on the floor. Wool will mold and mildew if left wet too long.
If you take care of it, your wool area rug will last for many years. Just remember to vacuum it every week and take care of spills as quickly as you can.

Author Bio: For more information please visit our area rugs and area rugs in Denver websites.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: fibers,vacuuming,Tips for Cleaning ,Wool Area Rug