Guide

How to clean and care for a Moroccan wool rug

Wool is naturally resistant to dirt: the lanolin in the fibre keeps stains from soaking in straight away. A hand-knotted Moroccan rug lasts for decades with a few simple habits.

Every week

• Vacuum with suction only, without the rotating beater bar, which pulls on the knots
• Go with the direction of the pile, and avoid vacuuming the fringes
• Shake small rugs outside from time to time
• A new rug sheds for the first weeks: this is normal and stops with regular vacuuming

When something spills

• Act fast and blot with a clean white cloth. Never rub, which spreads the stain and felts the wool
• Rinse with cold water, then blot again
• If needed, use a little mild soap made for wool, then rinse
• Never use bleach, ammonia or hot water
• Let it dry flat, away from direct heat

Deep cleaning

Have the rug cleaned by a professional rug cleaner every one to three years, depending on traffic. Avoid soaking a large wool rug at home: it is very heavy when wet and dries slowly.

In winter, an old Scandinavian trick works well on ivory rugs: lay the rug face down on clean, dry, powdery snow, beat the back, then brush the snow off before it melts.

Keep it beautiful for years

• Turn the rug every six months so it wears and fades evenly
• Put a rug pad underneath: it stops the rug from slipping and protects the knots
• Move furniture slightly from time to time to avoid deep marks
• Vacuum regularly under furniture: moths like dark corners that are never disturbed
• To store it, roll it (never fold it) pile inwards, clean and dry, in a breathable cotton cover

Questions