Whether it’s your first tufted piece or one of many, you’ve put a lot of care into making it. And with just a little maintenance, that same rug can stay vibrant, soft, and beautiful for years to come.
Wool is a fantastic high quality material — strong, naturally dirt-repellent, and super cozy. But it also needs some gentle handling. If you’ve ever shrunk a wool sweater by accident, you already know: heat and water don’t mix well with wool. The same applies to your tufted rug. When it comes to cleaning, gentle is always best.
Why wool can shrink
What’s happening on a microscopic level: Wool fibers are covered in tiny scales. When you add heat, moisture, and movement — like in a hot wash or heavy scrubbing — those scales open up and lock together. That’s called felting, and it’s what causes wool to shrink. Once it happens, it can’t be undone!
What to avoid (really, really avoid)
Avoid putting your rug in a washing machine and dryer. Tufted rugs have a glued backing, so water can loosen the glue and damage the rug. Besides the water, the hot temperatures from a washing machine and a dryer will shrink the wool.
- 🚫 No hot water or hot steam
- 🚫 No full soaking to protect the glue
- 🚫 No aggressive scrubbing
How to clean your tufted wool rug (the safe way)
If a liquid spills on your rug, we always say: Get it while it’s wet. Do not let a coffee or coca cola stain dry up on your rug. If your rug needs a clean:
- ✅ Use cold or lukewarm water only — hot water = shrink risk.
- ✅ Blot, don’t scrub — friction can cause felting.
- ✅ Use a mild wool-safe detergent or diluted vinegar — and test it in a corner first.
- ✅ For big or valuable rugs, consider a professional wool rug cleaner — just be sure to mention that it’s wool. Some cleaners offer dry foam cleaning.
Drying: let it rest in a well ventilated room
To dry your rug, let it rest in a well ventilated room. Wool is highly breathable, which means moisture trapped in the fibers can escape easily during air drying. This makes it less prone to mildew compared to synthetic fibers like acrylic yarn.
Its natural water-repellent outer layer keeps wool yarn from getting soggy, and its breathable inner structure helps it dry efficiently without needing heat. That’s why air drying is the best and safest method for wool rugs: it works with the material’s natural properties instead of against them.
- Always air dry flat — don’t hang the rug, as that can stretch it.
- Again, avoid heat sources — it sounds like a good idea, but don’t dry your rug on warm radiators. And don’t use dryers, or hairdryers.
- Pro tip: Make sure the rug is completely dry on both front and back before placing it back on the floor.
