Rug Care Guide: How to Clean and Maintain Every Rug Type

Mar 25, 2025

Whether you’ve selected a no-fuss indoor-outdoor workhorse or a luxurious viscose showstopper, with the correct care, you’ll continue to enjoy your rug for years to come.

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General Care Rug Tips

Handcrafted rugs may vary in design, colour, pattern, size and weight, adding character to each piece and making it truly unique. Use a rug pad or anti-slip underlay to protect your rugs and floors from transfer and wear – and to prevent sliding and slippage with use. 

- Use rug protectors under the legs of heavy furniture to minimise damage and wear.

- Rotate rugs every three months to avoid uneven fading and wear.

- Avoid sources of excess heat or abrasion, which could damage rug fibres; avoid exposure to direct sunlight which causes fading and discolouration.

- Gently vacuum your rug two to three times a week. Avoid all harsh rotating attachments.

- Periodically consult a professional rug cleaner to have your rug thoroughly cleaned.

- Immediately spot-clean any spills. Dab gently with a clean white cloth to absorb the spill. Do not rub.

- For deeper stains, it’s best to send the rug to a professional rug cleaner, as you may cause permanent damage by attempting to remove the stains improperly.

- Outdoor rugs also require regular cleaning. First get rid of dust or debris by vacuuming the rug or shaking it out. Then rinse with a garden hose using a moderate-pressure spray, and leave it outside to dry completely. Avoid using harsh chemicals or detergents to clean outdoor rugs as they may cause fading or discolouration.

Viscose Rug Care

Delicate | Suitable for low-traffic areas

Viscose, with its lustrous sheen and silky, soft texture is a truly luxurious material. Due to its high sheen, the colour of viscose rugs will appear to change depending on how light hits the surface. Constructed of wood cellulose fibres, which absorb moisture easily, these rugs require special attention and are best placed in low-traffic areas to preserve the softness and shimmer of the yarn.

RECOMMENDED CARE: 

Viscose rugs are prone to shedding and tend to “fluff” for the first few weeks as the loose excess fibres that aren’t woven into the base shed. Regular vacuuming is recommended a few times a week until shedding stops. The vacuuming process is very important as it helps to get rid of loose fibres quicker. This will not compromise the quality of the rug in any way as it’s only the excess fibres coming out, not the fibres woven into the design.

- To minimise the need for cleaning, avoid placing viscose rugs in high-traffic areas.

- Vacuum as needed in a single direction (avoid using a back-and-forth motion) and do not use bristles or the beater bar.

- Never use liquids on viscose rugs. Cellulose fibres weaken when wet and may break, distort, discolour or stain.

- Blot stains immediately and avoid prolonged exposure to moisture.

- Professional rug cleaning is recommended for stain removal and periodic cleaning care.

Wool Rug Maintenance

Resilient | Suitable for medium- to high-traffic areas

Wool has been prized by weavers since the beginning of textile making and is still the ultimate fibre for luxury rugs. Wool is a natural, renewable fibre that deters bacterial growth. The fibres contain lanolin, which naturally repels light stains and dust mites. Wool rugs are warm underfoot, plush and work beautifully with any style of home.

RECOMMENDED CARE: 

- It is normal for new wool rugs to shed for the first three to six months; however, vacuuming on a regular basis with the beater bar off will reduce shedding over time.

- Blot stains immediately.

- For general cleaning, use a mild soapy mixture that consists of equal parts white vinegar and water.

- Periodic professional rug cleaning is recommended to keep wool rugs in optimal condition.

- Do not pull stray loops; cut them back with a pair of scissors.

Jute Rug Care

Durable | Suitable for medium-traffic areas

Dubbed the “golden fibre”, jute is renewable, biodegradable and durable. It’s also soft and has a golden, silky shine. Often hand-braided, this material has an organic look and is easy to style. Jute is highly absorbent and not recommended for use in areas like kitchens or bathrooms. Jute rugs will gradually fade if placed in direct sunlight.

RECOMMENDED CARE: 

- Vacuum on a regular basis with the beater bar off, occasionally vacuuming under the rug to remove dirt and dust that can sift through the weave onto the floor.

- Blot stains immediately.

- We recommend the use of a fan to speed up the drying process as natural materials should not be exposed to moisture for prolonged periods.

- Stray tufts/loops on natural rugs are normal; we suggest using a sharp pair of scissors to remove them.

Polyester Rug Tips

Stain resistant | Suitable for high-traffic areas

Polyester is a petroleum-based synthetic material. It is a soft, durable, colourfast, non-shedding, easy-to-maintain fibre. Polyester yarn can be spun thinner (finer) than other synthetics like polypropylene; this gives polyester its shiny, silky look.

RECOMMENDED CARE: 

- Vacuum regularly to minimise wear. To avoid damaging the rug, do not use a head with bristles.

- Gently blot spills with a damp cloth or paper towel. If necessary, mix a small amount of mild detergent with water to make a diluted cleaning solution, then use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the area again. Do not apply harsh cleaning solutions directly onto the rug. Avoid rubbing actions, as this can rub the stain further into the fibres.

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) Rug Care

Eco-friendly | Suitable for high-traffic areas

PET rugs are made of eco-friendly, manmade fibres from recycled plastic bottles. They’re durable, UV-treated for fade resistance, and feature a soft, wool-like texture. PET rugs are very easy to clean – they’re lightweight, washable, scrubbable and sometimes reversible, making them ideal for high-traffic areas in a home.

RECOMMENDED CARE: 

- Regular vacuuming and the occasional gentle shake should keep PET rugs in optimal condition.

- We also recommend lightly brushing them with mildly soapy water or spraying with a hose, for a deeper clean.

- You cannot machine-wash or dry PET rugs.

Polypropylene Rug Care

Stain resistant | Suitable for high-traffic areas

Polypropylene is a synthetic material that is engineered to have a wide variety of benefits. It is wonderfully soft underfoot, easy to vacuum and a great material for resisting wear and tear. In addition, the fibres are resistant to stains, so any spills won’t absorb right away and will lift straight off if quick action is taken. 

RECOMMENDED CARE:

- Regular vacuuming is important to minimise wear. To avoid damaging the rug, do not use a head with bristles.

- Gently blot spills with a damp cloth or paper towel. If necessary, mix a small amount of mild detergent with water to make a diluted cleaning solution, then use a clean cloth or paper towel to gently blot the area again.

- Do not apply harsh cleaning solutions directly onto the rug. Avoid rubbing actions, as this can rub the stain further into the fibres.

Chenille Rug Tips

Velvety | Suitable for low to medium-traffic areas

Named for the French word for “caterpillar”, chenille is the name of a type of yarn, and can be made from a variety of fibres, including cotton, wool, viscose and polyester. The threads are piled to create the yarn, which resembles the fuzzy exterior of a caterpillar. Chenille yarn gives rugs a soft, velvety touch.

RECOMMENDED CARE:

- Chenille is delicate and requires care.

- Vacuum regularly on a gentle setting and avoid using the beater bar.

- Spot-clean stains with a mild detergent solution, blotting gently rather than rubbing.

- Professional rug cleaning is recommended for a deep clean.

- Never use harsh chemicals or scrub the fibres.

Blended Fibre Rugs

Blended fibres are made by combining various fibres to enhance the property of a rug. A blended rug helps overcome the disadvantages of natural and synthetic fibres. Blending gives the end-product certain characteristics that are unobtainable from a single-fibre component, such as strength, crease resistance, aesthetic effects and modest pricing.
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