Care and Cleaning: Rugs, Area Rugs

The kids…the dog…a clumsy party guest. Accidents happen. In fact, removal of spots and spills is one of the most crucial areas of rug maintenance. When anything is dropped or spilled, quick response with the proper cleaning material can save the day…and your rug!
By maintaining a simple maintenance program that includes regular, interim, and periodic cleanings you can keep your rug looking its best.

Regular Maintenance

The simplest and most frequent maintenance involves vacuuming and spot removal, as well as preventive measures.

Vacuuming

Regular and thorough vacuuming once a week (more often in heavy traffic areas) is an economical and effective way to remove soil and dirt particles before they become embedded into the pile of the rug. When vacuuming, be careful not to catch the fringe in the cleaner. This can cause separation of the weaving behind the fringe or even damage the rug.

Spot Cleaning

No rug is stain proof. Regardless of whether your rug is made of wool or polypropylene, it is important to respond quickly to spills. However, if you own a wool rug you need to make sure the cleaning product you use is wool safe.

Wools of New Zealand, a marketing organization that promotes the use of New Zealand wool, provides the following expert advice on cleaning wool rugs. These steps also work well on rugs of other fibers.

Blot up liquids with white paper towels or absorbent cloth; scoop up solids with the end of a knife or spoon.
Treat the spot according to the cleaning instruction chart below.
Apply spot removal agent to clean towel or cloth, not directly to the spot. Use small quantities at a time. Always work inwards from the edge to prevent spreading. Do not rub, as this may cause the spot to spread or distort the pile. Do not over-wet the carpet pile.
Afterwards, blot as dry as possible with clean towel.

Warnings
Some chemicals are hazardous (corrosive, flammable, toxic, etc.) and should be used with great care, strictly in accordance with their use and safety instructions.

DO NOT apply stain repellent treatments that contain any silicone because they tend to accelerate rug soiling.

Always pre-test a cleaning agent in an inconspicuous place, such as under a piece of furniture or in the corner of the room, to insure that it does not remove color.

Spot Removal Chart

(click on the step numbers below to see instructions)

Spot Type	Order of Treatment
Spot Type	Step 1	Step 2	Step 3
Alcoholic Beverages	1	2	-
Bleach	1	2	-
Blood	1	2	-
Butter	3	2	-
Candle wax **	-	-	-
Chewing Gum	4	3	-
Chocolate	2	3	-
Coffee	1	2	3
Colas and Soft Drinks	1	2	-
Cooking Oils	4	2	-
Cream	2	3	-
Egg	2	-	-
Floor Wax	3	2	-
Fruit Juice	1	2	-
Furniture Polish	3	2	-
Gravy and Sauces	5	2	3
Ink (Fountain Pen)	1	2	-
Ink (Ball Point)	4	7	2
Ink (Felt Tip)	5	2	6
Ketchup	5	2	-
Lipstick	3	2	-
Mercurochrome *	2	10	-
Milk	5	3	2
Mustard	2	-	-
Nail Polish	6	3	-
Oil and Grease	3	2	-
Paint (Latex)	1	2	3
Paint (Oil)	9	3	2
Rust	3	2	8
Salad Dressing	2	3	-
Shoe Polish	3	2	-
Soot	3	2	-
Tar	3	-	-
Tea	1	2	3
Urine (fresh)	1	2	-
Urine (old)	1	2	10
Vomit	2	-	-
Wine	9	1	2
Unknown Material	3	10	2

Cleaning chart supplied by Wools of New Zealand

Type Of Treatment

Add cold water and blot
Detergent solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water or WoolClean Dry Spot Remover #1*
Methylated mineral spirits, turpentine, or WoolClean Dry Spot Remover #2*
Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick or scrape off gum.
Warm water
Clean nail polish remover (preferably acetone)
Isopropyl alcohol
Rust remover
Absorbent powder (e.g., salt, talc or WoolClean Absorb-It^TM*)
Absorbent cleaner (Host^®, Capture^®, or Dri-Matic^®)

TOP OF CHART

Cleaning Agents For Spot Removal

Detergent Solution
Mix one teaspoon of clear dish washing liquid or detergent powder
(containing no bleaches or strong alkalies) with a cup of warm (not hot) water. This solution must be well rinsed with clear water. WoolClean Spot Remover #1 is part of the WoolClean Spot Removal Kit.*

Absorbent Cleaners Host^®, Capture^®, or Dri-Matic^®

Ammonia Solution

Mix one tablespoon clear ammonia (3% solution) with one half cup water. This solution must be neutralized with vinegar solution.

Vinegar Solution

Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup water.

Solvent

A dry cleaning solvent (available at grocery, drug and hardware stores) such as Carbona®, Energine®, or K2R® (chemically known as 1.1.1 Tricloroethane preferred).

Absorbent Cleaners

Host®, Capture®, and Dri-Matic®

List of Woolsafe Products

Interim Maintenance
Occasionally, more comprehensive cleaning is needed to restore color and appearance. Impregnated absorbent compound - inert powders impregnated with a mixture of cleansing agents and solvents - can be brushed into the carpet pile on an interim basis to absorb dirt from the carpet fiber.

Periodic Maintenance
Thorough cleaning is required periodically to remove the deepest soil. We having your rug professionally cleaned every two years to ensure the beauty and life of your wool rug. When having your wool rug professional cleaned, use a reputable company and check references.