How to Care for a Hand-Woven Rug

Quick answer

Care for a hand-woven wool rug by vacuuming weekly without a beater bar, spot-cleaning spills immediately with mild soap and water, and rotating the rug every few months to ensure even wear.

Hand-woven rug care diagnosis

• Symptom: Rug looks dull or dusty: Likely cause: Embedded dirt in the high pile. Corrective action: Vacuum weekly using a suction-only setting or a canister vacuum with a soft brush attachment. Do not use a beater bar or rotating brush, as it can snag the braided loops. For deeper cleaning, take the rug outside and gently shake it, then vacuum both sides. If the rug still looks dull after vacuuming, consider a professional dry-cleaning service for wool rugs.
• Symptom: Spill or fresh stain: Likely cause: Accidental liquid or food drop. Corrective action: Blot immediately with a clean, dry white cloth—do not rub. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with cold water, dampen a cloth, and blot from the outer edge inward. Rinse by blotting with a cloth dampened with plain cold water. Blot dry with a towel. If the stain remains after blotting, stop home treatment and consult a professional rug cleaner. Do not use bleach, vinegar, or steam cleaners on wool.
• Symptom: Uneven wear or fading in one area: Likely cause: Sunlight exposure or heavy foot traffic in a single spot. Corrective action: Rotate the rug 180 degrees every 3–4 months to distribute wear evenly. Use window coverings to limit direct sunlight on the rug. Place a rug pad underneath to reduce friction and slipping. If fading is already noticeable, reposition furniture to cover the faded area and rotate more frequently going forward.

Product spotlight

• The Chunky Braided Hand-Woven Rug: Made of 100% wool with a 3/4 inch high pile and braided textured detail, hand-woven by master artisans. The high pile and braided texture require gentle vacuuming (no beater bar) to avoid pulling fibers, and the wool's natural lanolin helps repel dirt when maintained properly.