How to remove stains easily from a wool area rug?
1. Use Water
It is not necessary to go for the big guns at first. Start with the simple solution. Wet the stain with warm water.
How To Apply
- Apply by soaking a clean cloth in water.
- Gently dab the area using the wet cloth. Work from the outside to the center. This will prevent the stain from spreading all over.
- Take care to not use rough scrubbing motion. Do not use a cleaning brush as it can damage the fibers.
Note: This method works only when the stain is new. Dry stains do not come out with this method.
2. Apply Vinegar
If you get a stubborn stain on your wool rug, you can try applying one fourth of vinegar in your cleaning water. Vinegar is a cleaning agent that is easily available in grocery stores. It is a good choice for wool rugs as it is not harsh on sensitive wool material. Vinegar is also great in cleaning pet stains on wool rugs as it works as an agent to remove the odor.
For stubborn food stains, vinegar is also a great cleaning agent. For rugs of any color, including beige and pink wool area rug, the vinegar is an effective cleaner.
How To Apply
- Mix one fourth cup of vinegar in 500 ml of warm water. Warm water helps in the faster removal of the stubborn stains.
- Apply the cleaning vinegar and water mix to the stain using a clean cloth.
- Use another clean dry cloth to blot the area. You can see the stain fading away and you can keep working on the area from the outside to the center.
- Wait for about 10 to 15 minutes and wipe dry the spot. This step is important in making sure there is no mildew formation or growing mold from the moisture.
3. Dishwashing Cleaner
If the two methods above do not work in removing pet stains on your wool rug, adding dishwashing cleaner to the warm water and vinegar mix might help. The cleaning action is more powerful with this method. It works well for a wool handmade area rug with hard to remove stains.
How To Apply
- Mix warm water, dishwashing liquid, and vinegar in a bowl. Wet a cloth rag in this solution. Blot the rag on the stain and use a small circular scrubbing movement.
- Avoid harsh scrubbing as it can spoil the smooth and neat look. Once you remove the stain, wet a new clean rag and apply cold water to it and dap the area.
- Apply gentle pressure using a clean cloth rag in the area.
- Allow the rug to dry by laying it on a nearby sofa or table. Make sure you dry the wet areas under the rug. You can also use a heater or fan to dry the rug.
4. Rubbing Alcohol
To remove stubborn stains, you can try rubbing alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol acts as a degreasing agent. It can also break down the stain in a better way.
How To Apply
- Dip a cotton ball in the alcohol and dab it on the stain.
- Try a small area first on the outside of the stain mark. Make sure the colour of the rug does not bleed. If you do not see any discolouration, continue with the following steps.
- You can also use a cloth rag for the application.
- Repeat the application until you remove the stain.
- For dry stains, allow the area to soak in the alcohol for a couple of hours.
Deodorizing The Wool Rug
Even after removing the stains, the rug may emit an unpleasant odor. The tips below will remove the foul odor and keep your rug smelling fresh and clean:
- Take a quart of hydrogen peroxide (3%). Add one-fourth cup of baking soda and 10 ml of liquid soap. This solution is apt for an area rug of any color, including grey wool rug models.
- Apply the solution to the stain. Before you apply the solution, test the colorfastness of your rug. Use a few drops on an area of the rug that is not easily visible.
- Let the solution stay for some time. Afterwards, rinse with water and dry the spot. If the color does not run, you can continue with the following steps.
- Use a sponge to apply the solution. After the solution soaks the stained area for about ten minutes, rinse it off.
- Use cool water for rinsing. Press the area with a clean rag to dry it.
- A hair dryer or a small fan helps to dry the area. You can also vacuum it to remove baking soda residues left after deodorizing. Use a soft brush to restore the neat look of the rug.
How Do You Clean An Old Wool Rug?
- Old wool rugs need more care as there is a lot of grime and dirt that settle down under the rug over time. To make the rug last longer, you have to clean and maintain it.
- For colorfast area rugs, a mild detergent will help in giving a thorough cleaning. Use a sponge or brush with soft bristles to apply the detergent.
- Rinse the rug with a mixture of water and white vinegar to remove any residues. Hang the rug to air dry it.
Few Tips On Wool Rug Care
If you find a stain on your rug and want to clean it, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Avoid rubbing on the spot as the stain will get further into the rug. This will make cleaning more difficult. The fibers can fuzz or mat together if you do this.
- Avoid using harsh cleaning agents. The chemicals in the cleaning agent can cause the colors in the rug to bleed.
- If there are solids on the rug, scoop them up at once. Dap the area using paper towels. Keep changing the towels if they saturate.
- Make sure the color of the rug does not bleed. Test the solution on a small area first. If you do not see any color bleed, go ahead with the cleaning.
Final Takeaway
Pet stains can damage your wool area rug and make it smell bad. But, with the above methods, you can get rid of the stains and odor. Not only are the methods effective but they are safe on your rug. While chemical cleaning agents work better, there is a risk of damaging your rug.
Or, you can try using machine-washable area rugs. Such rugs are easy to maintain and clean. For best quality area rugs that look appealing and are easy to maintain, visit Rugs by Roo.
