How to clean and care for a rug
A little regular care keeps a rug looking good for years. Here's a simple routine, plus what to do about spills, shedding and dents from furniture.
Always start with the care label
Every rug's label or product page tells you how it should be cleaned. Materials and dyes behave very differently, so the manufacturer's advice comes first. The tips below are general.
Weekly: vacuum
- Vacuum regularly to stop grit working into the base, which wears fibres.
- On wool and high-pile rugs, use suction only or turn off the beater bar or brush roll.
- Vacuum in the direction of the pile, then across it occasionally.
- Don't vacuum fringes; they can tangle. Use a nozzle or comb them gently.
Spills: act fast
- Blot, don't rub. Press a clean white cloth or kitchen roll onto the spill to soak it up. Rubbing spreads it and damages fibres.
- Work from the outside in to stop the stain spreading.
- Use as little water as possible. Test any cleaner on a hidden corner first.
- Let it dry fully, raising the rug or using a fan if needed.
For stubborn or large stains, or valuable rugs, a professional rug cleaner is the safest option.
Rug-by-rug tips
- Wool: naturally resilient; blot spills and avoid soaking. Shedding when new is normal and reduces with vacuuming.
- Jute and natural fibres: keep dry. Blot spills straight away and avoid wet cleaning.
- Shaggy and high pile: shake outdoors if the size allows, and use suction only.
- Flatweave: easy to vacuum; smaller ones can be shaken out.
- Machine-washable rugs: follow the wash temperature and drying instructions exactly.
- Viscose blends: delicate when wet; professional cleaning is often recommended.
Every few months
- Rotate the rug so sunlight and footfall are spread evenly. Strong sunlight can fade colours over time.
- Turn it over or check underneath for dust if it's reversible.
- Check the rug pad is still gripping.
Dents from furniture
Heavy furniture flattens pile. Move furniture slightly every so often, and to lift a dent, let it recover naturally or gently tease the fibres up with your fingers. Some people place an ice cube on the dent and let it melt before fluffing; only try this on rugs where a little water is safe, according to the care label.
Shedding and loose threads
- Shedding from new wool and tufted rugs is normal.
- Snip a loose thread level with the pile using scissors. Never pull it.
Prevent wear
- Use a rug pad on hard floors to stop slipping and reduce wear.
- Take shoes off on light or high-pile rugs.
- Place a doormat at entrances to catch grit.
Choosing a new rug? Compare rug materials, then check the rug size guide.
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Frequently asked questions
How often should I vacuum a rug?
About once a week, more often in busy areas. Use suction only or turn off the beater bar on wool and high-pile rugs.
How do I get a stain out of a rug?
Blot (don't rub) with a clean white cloth, work from the outside in, use as little water as possible and test any cleaner on a hidden area first. Follow the rug's care label.
Can I put a rug in the washing machine?
Only if it's labelled machine washable. Follow the wash temperature and drying instructions exactly.
Why is my new rug shedding?
Loose fibres from manufacturing work their way out of new wool and tufted rugs. Regular vacuuming without a beater bar helps, and shedding reduces over time.