We receive many calls and emails from rug owners asking us how to clean their rugs. With the proper maintenance, rugs from Natural Area Rugs will last awhile. If you want a rug that requires minimal maintenance, we suggest a natural fiber rug. Environmentally friendly and durable, natural fiber rugs are made from hair-like materials that resemble thread. They are made from plant and animal sources as opposed to synthetic fibers which are artificial. Examples of natural fiber rugs include jute, sisal, seagrass, and wool. Seagrass, sisal, and jute rugs are the easiest to care for. We recommend vacuuming your rug once a week go with and against the weaving. If a spill does occur blot it up immediately with a dry cloth. If the stain is stubborn dampen the cloth with soda water and try again. Rubbing the stain will only expand the affected area and the stain will set. Don’t use any harsh chemicals as this could ruin your rug.

It is not recommended that you put natural fiber rugs in areas with moisture and humidity. These areas can cause the natural area rugs to expand or shrink causing damage to your rug. Therefore, the kitchen, bathroom, and basement are not good areas to place your rug. Try the living room, bedroom, or home office. If you do live in a particularly humid area, we suggest purchasing a spray protector to help the rug from absorbing moisture.

Wool rugs are a bit harder to clean than other natural fiber rugs. Begin by beating your wool rug outside with a rug beater. It’s important that you beat it hard to get out all the dirt that may be embedded in the rug. Then, proceed to sweep your rug and vacuum it twice a week. If the wool rug is placed in a high traffic area it’s recommended that the rug owner rotates the rug 180 degrees every month. If the wool rug is in a low traffic area, once a year is more than enough.

Steam cleaning is recommended twice a year, but only use water. If a spill occurs blot it up immediately with paper towels. Rubbing the stain can cause the wool to become matted over time. If a stain is particularly tough use a cleaning foam or Woolite. Never use oxygen based cleaners. These cleaners are extremely harsh and can damage your rug.

Cowhide patchwork rugs are bought for their texture and their uniqueness. No two cowhide patchwork rug is the same. Unlike the other rugs mentioned, cowhide patchwork rugs are a little harder to maintain. We don’t recommend putting a cowhide patchwork rug in a high traffic area as it will wear the rug down quickly. We also don’t recommend placing your rug in a sunny area as the sun can cause the color in your rug to fade.

Do not dry clean or machine wash your cowhide patchwork rug. Instead, brush it with a hard plastic brush. This will keep the hair soft and fluffy while removing dirt. To clean, wipe the rug with a damp cloth with mild soap. Make sure the cloth is not wet and the soap does not contain alkaline. Do not soak the rug. After you’ve cleaned it, it is important to vacuum it or give it a good shake to get out any dirt that may still be in the rug. Spill do occur and it’s important to blot up the spill with a sponge or paper towel immediately. If the stain is persistent we recommended using mild soap.

The rugs we sell are durable and are known for their longevity. When taken care of they will last you for many years. Whether you purchase a seagrass, jute, or cowhide patchwork rug, it’s important to follow these instructions carefully to get the most out of your rug.