August 07, 2023
Rug Care 101
Congratulations on your new rug! Whether it's washable, vintage, jute, or outdoor, a little routine care goes a long way. We've answered our most common rug care questions with guidance tailored to every rug type.
Not sure where to start? Browse our detailed care guides by rug type, or jump to the question you need.
Care Guides by Rug Type |
Washable Wool • Washable Polyester • Washable Cotton • Non-Washable Wool • Non-Washable Cotton • Vintage • One-of-a-Kind • Jute • Easy Care • Outdoor |
How do I clean my rug?
Every rug is a little different. Here's the best way to care for yours.
Lou comes from a long line of washable wool rugs that don't look "washable"
Washable Wool Rugs
✔ Machine wash on cold using 1 tbsp. of clear, unscented detergent.
✔ Gentle cycle only.
✔ Hang dry or tumble dry low.
Read our complete Washable Wool Care Guide
Via, a delightfully soft and sophisticated floral rug that happens to be washable
Washable Polyester Rugs
✔ Machine wash cold.
✔ Gentle cycle.
✔ Hang dry or tumble dry low.
Read our complete Washable Polyester Care Guide
Like your favorite pair of jeans, Topstitch is designed to go with everything.
Washable Cotton Rugs
✔ Machine wash cold.
✔ Gentle cycle.
✔ Hang dry or tumble dry low.
Read our complete Washable Cotton Care Guide
Milord, a soft, wool rug that feels like stepping into an English garden
Non-Washable Wool Rugs
✔ Spot clean only.
✔ Professional cleaning recommended for stubborn stains.
Read our complete Wool Rug Care Guide
Chamallow, a delightfully soft, cotton rug inspired by their candy counterparts
Non-Washable Cotton Rugs
✔ Spot clean only.
Read our complete Cotton Rug Care Guide
Authentic, Turkish vintage rug, carefully selected and restored by hand
Vintage & One-of-a-Kind Rugs
✔ Spot clean only. c
✔ Professionally hand wash every 3–5 years.
✔ Never steam clean or dry clean.
Read our complete Vintage Rug Care Guide
Read our complete One-of-a-kind Rug Care Guide
Hart, an award-winning jute rug available in many a solid color and check pattern
Jute Rugs
✔ Spot clean only.
✔ Never machine wash.
Read our complete Jute Rug Care Guide
Part of our Cloudflower Collection, Nimbus is a soft, easy-care rug that sweeps you off your feet
Easy Care Rugs
✔ Spot clean only.
Read our complete Easy Care Rug Care Guide
Shima is an indoor-outdoor rug designed to look good anywhere you style it
Outdoor Rugs
✔ Spot clean for everyday messes.
✔ For a deeper clean, rinse with a hose and hang to dry.
Read our complete Outdoor Rug Care Guide
My rug is shedding. Is that normal?
Some shedding is completely expected, but it depends on your rug.
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Rug Type |
What to Expect |
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Washable Wool & Non-Washable Wool |
Natural shedding for the first 6–9 months. Higher-pile rugs shed more before settling down. |
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Jute |
Some natural fiber shedding is normal when new. |
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Washable Cotton & Polyester |
Light shedding or fiber breakage may occur in high-traffic areas. |
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Easy Care |
Light fiber breakage or matting may develop with everyday use. |
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Vintage & One-of-a-kind |
Some fiber loss is expected with age. Excessive shedding concentrated in one area may indicate structural wear. Consult a rug specialist. |
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Outdoor |
Minimal shedding. Normal wear occurs over time. |
Can I vacuum my rug?
Yes, almost every rug benefits from regular vacuuming.
Taylor, a cloud-soft wool rug that's surprisingly washable
For nearly every rug we recommend:
- Use a suction-only or non-rotary vacuum.
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Avoid beater bars, which can pull fibers and shorten a rug's lifespan.
- Vacuum two to four times each month on low power.
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Be especially gentle around the fringe.
Special note for shag and vintage rugs
These rugs don't love frequent vacuuming. To help preserve their lofty wool pile, place them in lower-traffic rooms whenever possible.
I spilled something. How do I remove stains?
The sooner you act, the better.
Our Revive·All probiotic rug cleaner goes to work in seconds on wool, cotton, and performance fiber rugs
Wool
Use clear dish soap or Woolite with cold water. Alternate between gently brushing and blotting to lift the stain. Never rub.
For pet accidents, contact a professional cleaner as soon as possible.
Cotton
Use the same gentle soap-and-water method used for wool.
Jute
Blot immediately using club soda.
If staining remains, consult a professional cleaner.
Polyester, Polypropylene & Outdoor Rugs
Blot with club soda until the stain lifts.
Washable Rugs
Blot spills immediately.
For deeper cleaning, machine wash following your rug's washing instructions.
There's a loose thread on my rug. What should I do?
Don't pull it.
Sink into the softness of a one-of-a-kind Moroccan rug
Instead:
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Trim loose pile yarns so they're level with the surrounding pile.
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Tuck loose flatweave yarns back into place with the head of a sewing needle.
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If the loose yarn is on the binding or kilim edge, gently tuck it back into the binding.
These small imperfections are common with handwoven rugs and don't usually affect the rug's structure.
My rug is fading. Is something wrong?
No, but there are things to keep in mind.
Add movement and texture to your space with Tschudi
Indoor Rugs
Natural sunlight slowly fades all rugs. Rotate your rug once a month to encourage even wear.
We like this lived-in patina. It reflects the life your rug shares with your home, but if you'd prefer to minimize fading, avoid prolonged direct sunlight.
Indoor-outdoor rugs, like Shima, make your backyard feel as cozy as your den
Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor rugs naturally weather over time.
Rotate them once or twice each month (more often during summer) for more even fading.
Can I use my rug outdoors?
For longevity, we recommend using rugs designed for outdoor use.
Horseshoes is an indoor-outdoor rug exclusively available in custom, made-to-order sizes
Outdoor rugs are typically woven from performance fibers that can withstand the elements.
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PET performs well outdoors but should dry completely after getting wet.
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Polypropylene can withstand harsher weather conditions.
Natural fiber rugs, like wool and jute, should stay indoors.
What's the best way to make my rug last longer?
No matter what kind of rug you own, a few simple habits will keep it looking beautiful.
Via, a washable, OEKO-TEX® certified rug made with performance materials that work as hard as you do
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Use a rug pad.
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Vacuum regularly using a suction-only vacuum.
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Clean spills immediately.
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Rotate your rug every month.
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Follow the care instructions specific to your rug's material.
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For vintage and one-of-a-kind rugs, schedule a professional hand washing every 3–5 years.
Care Instructions by Rug Type
Need a hand? See our guides below for detailed cleaning and stain removal tips tailored to the materials and construction of your rug.
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If you have a… |
Read this guide |
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Washable Wool |
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Washable Polyester |
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Washable Cotton |
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Non-Washable Wool |
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Non-Washable Cotton |
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Vintage |
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One-of-a-Kind |
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Jute |
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Easy Care |
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Outdoor |
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