How to clean and care for a Moroccan wool rug
Shedding, vacuuming, spills and deep cleaning: a simple routine to keep a hand-knotted wool rug looking good for years.
A hand-knotted wool rug is tougher than it looks. Wool is naturally springy, it holds onto dirt less than most synthetic fibers, and a well-made knotted pile can take decades of footsteps. It only needs a little regular care, and a few things it should never meet.
The first weeks: shedding is normal
When your rug arrives, you will probably notice loose wool on the floor and in the vacuum. This is normal for a hand-knotted wool rug. As the weavers knot and trim the pile, short fibers are left caught between the knots, and they work their way out in the first weeks of use.
Vacuum regularly and the shedding slows down on its own. Deep-pile rugs, like a Beni Ourain, shed the most and for the longest.
Never pull a loose tuftIf a strand of wool sticks up above the pile, don't pull it: it is part of a knot. Snip it level with the rest of the pile with a pair of scissors.
Every week: vacuum the right way
- Use suction only. Turn off the rotating brush (beater bar), or use the hard-floor or upholstery head. A spinning brush pulls fibers out of the knots.
- Go with the pile. Run your hand over the rug: one direction feels smooth, the other rough. Vacuum in the smooth direction.
- Stay off the fringe. Vacuums catch and chew fringes. Stop just before the ends of the rug.
- Don't forget the back. Every few months, turn the rug over and vacuum the back. It pushes out the grit that settles deep in the pile.
Smaller rugs also love a good shake outdoors now and then.
Spills: act fast, blot, never rub
- Blot right away with a clean, white, dry cloth or paper towel. Press, don't rub: rubbing pushes the spill deeper and roughens the wool.
- Work from the outside in, so the stain doesn't spread.
- Dab with cold water mixed with a few drops of a mild, wool-safe detergent. Then dab with plain cold water to rinse.
- Blot it dry and let the area air-dry completely, with the pile brushed in its natural direction.
For mud, let it dry first, then break it up and vacuum it away. For anything solid, lift it off with a spoon before you start blotting. Always test a cleaning product on a hidden corner first.
What to keep away from your rug
- Hot water and steam cleaners: heat and too much water can shrink wool and make colors bleed.
- Bleach, ammonia and strong carpet chemicals.
- Soaking the rug or drying it on a radiator.
- Plastic wrapping for storage: wool needs to breathe.
A few habits that make a rug last
Rotate it
Turn your rug around every six months or so. Footsteps and sunlight are never even across a room, and rotating spreads the wear and any fading.
Use a rug pad
A non-slip pad under the rug stops it from moving, protects your floor, and softens the impact of every step on the knots.
Lift furniture dents
If a table leg leaves a dent, place an ice cube in it and let it melt. Once the wool is damp, fluff the pile back up with your fingers.
Keep moths away
Moths like wool that sits undisturbed in the dark. Regular vacuuming, including the areas under furniture, is the best protection.
Comb the fringe
If the fringe gets tangled, comb it gently with your fingers. Don't trim it: the fringe is the end of the rug's warp threads, part of its structure.
Deep cleaning
Every year or two, depending on how much traffic it gets, have your rug professionally cleaned. Choose a rug cleaner who works with hand-knotted wool rugs, not a general carpet cleaner.
Storing a rug
Vacuum it on both sides, roll it (never fold it), wrap it in breathable cotton, and keep it somewhere dry. Unroll it and let it air every few months.
Looked after like this, a hand-knotted wool rug only gets softer with time. If something happens that these tips don't cover, write to us.
