Rug Care
A quality rug lasts for years with the right care. Here's how to vacuum, treat spills, remove stains, deep clean and dry your rug — plus advice for each material we sell.
Routine care
- Vacuum once or twice a week (more in high-traffic areas) to lift grit before it grinds into the fibres. Use reduced suction and no rotating beater bar on high-pile, shaggy or delicate rugs.
- Rotate the rug 180° every few months so wear and sun fading stay even.
- Use a rug pad underneath — it stops slipping, reduces wear, adds cushioning and improves airflow.
- Shake or beat smaller rugs outdoors occasionally to release deep dust.
- Lift, don't drag, furniture across a rug, and use coasters under heavy legs to prevent dents.
Prevention beats cleaning: a doormat at entrances and a no-shoes habit dramatically cut how much dirt reaches your rugs.
How to treat a fresh spill
Speed is everything — a fresh spill is a quick fix, a dried one is a stain.
- Lift solids — scoop or scrape off the surface with a spoon, working toward the centre.
- Blot, don't rub — press a clean white cloth to absorb liquid, from the outside in.
- Treat gently — a little lukewarm water with mild pH-neutral detergent; test on a hidden corner first.
- Rinse & dry — blot with clean water to lift the detergent, then dry thoroughly with good airflow.
Always blot, never rub — and always spot-test any cleaning solution on a hidden corner first.
Stain-removal chart
| Stain | First step | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Red wine | Blot immediately | Soda water, or lukewarm water + mild detergent; blot until lifted |
| Coffee / tea | Blot | Lukewarm water + mild detergent; rinse and blot dry |
| Blood | Use COLD water only | Cold water + a little salt; never warm water (it sets blood) |
| Grease / oil | Lift excess | Sprinkle bicarb or cornflour to absorb, vacuum, then mild detergent |
| Ink | Blot | Dab with a little surgical alcohol on a cloth; blot, don't spread |
| Candle wax | Harden it | Chill with ice, scrape off; brown paper over residue, warm with an iron to absorb |
| Pet urine | Blot immediately | Water + mild detergent, then a water + white vinegar rinse to neutralise odour; dry well |
| Mud | Let it dry fully | Vacuum the dried mud, then treat any mark with mild detergent |
| Chocolate | Scrape excess | Lukewarm water + mild detergent; blot until clear |
| Make-up / lipstick | Lift excess | Dab with a little surgical alcohol; blot |
Wool, viscose & silk are delicate — avoid harsh solvents, acetone and excessive water. When in doubt on a valuable or natural-fibre rug, call a professional.
Deep cleaning
Beyond routine care, a rug benefits from a deeper clean every 12–18 months (yearly for busy or pet households). Synthetic rugs handle spray injection-extraction ("steam") cleaning well. Wool, Persian, viscose and silk rugs are safest with professional immersion cleaning that protects the fibres, dyes and fringes.
Care by material
| Material | How to care for it |
|---|---|
| Wool | Naturally stain-resistant and hard-wearing. Vacuum regularly, blot spills fast, never soak. Neutral-pH cleaners only; professional clean every 1–2 years. Light shedding when new is normal. |
| Polypropylene / polyester (heat-set) | The easiest to live with. Stain-resistant and water-tolerant — most spills clean up with water and mild detergent. Great for high-traffic, pet and kid homes. |
| Viscose / art silk | Soft and lustrous but very water-sensitive. Blot dry only, avoid water and solvents, and use a professional for anything beyond a tiny spot. |
| Natural fibres (jute / cotton) | Vacuum gently and keep dry. Blot spills quickly; avoid soaking, which can cause browning or shrinkage. |
| Persian & Oriental (hand-knotted wool) | Heirloom pieces — vacuum without a beater bar, rotate regularly, keep out of harsh sun, and use specialist hand-cleaning only. |
Persian & Oriental rug care
Hand-knotted Persian and Oriental rugs last generations with the right care. Vacuum gently in the direction of the pile (no rotating brush), rotate for even wear, and keep out of prolonged direct sun. Blot spills immediately — never rub a hand-knotted pile. For deep cleaning, always use a specialist who hand-washes Oriental rugs. Explore our Persian & Oriental collection.
Drying properly
Incomplete drying is the leading cause of musty smells and mildew after cleaning. Dry the rug flat with strong airflow (a fan and open windows), make sure both pile and backing are completely dry before laying it down, and avoid long periods in direct sunlight. If a rug gets badly soaked, professional drying is safest.
What to avoid
- Rubbing spills — forces the stain deeper. Always blot.
- Over-wetting — risks shrinkage, browning, mildew and backing damage.
- Harsh chemicals & bleach — strip colour and weaken fibres. Use neutral-pH products.
- Hot water on blood or protein stains — sets them. Use cold.
- A beater bar on delicate or high-pile rugs — pulls fibres; use suction only.
Questions about caring for a specific rug? Ask our team — advice is free.