How to care for your area rug

Area Rug Care

Proper care keeps a rug looking beautiful, feeling comfortable, and performing well for many years. Below is a guide on how to maintain rugs safely and correctly based on the rug’s material and construction. This blog covers the core care practices every homeowner should know.

1. Vacuuming Your Area Rug

Regular vacuuming is one of the most important steps in rug care, but it must be done correctly. We always recommend a suction-only vacuum. Vacuums with rotating beater bars can be too harsh for area rugs and may break down rug fibers over time. This is especially important for wool rugs, but thick synthetic rugs can also be damaged by aggressive beater bars. Many vacuums on the market today such Dyson, Oreck, Miele, or select Shark models are too strong for quality area rugs; these cause excess fuzzing; however, they do work wonderfully on wall-to-wall carpeting. Just a few recommendations for vacuums to use on your wool rugs are Hoover Wind Tunnel w/tangle guard, One Power Evolve, or there are three models of Shark Navigators that offer the option of disengaging brush. Do not use any robotic vacuums or central vacuuming systems on wool area rugs.

Important Tips

• Use suction-only vacuums for routine cleaning
• Avoid beater bars or rotating brushes for area rugs
• Vacuum both sides of flat woven rugs to remove embedded dust
• Follow the rug’s specific care instructions before cleaning

Think of a wool rug similar to naturally curly hair. Using a stiff brush or high-friction rotating tool can cause frizz, breakage, and long-term damage. Wool fibers behave similarly.

Why Care Instructions Matter

Every rug material has unique cleaning requirements. Always check the manufacturer's label before vacuuming or treating the rug with any product.

2. Stain Protection

Preventing stains is easier than removing them. A protective barrier helps keep spills on the surface so they can be cleaned before they soak into the fibers.

Recommended Product

We recommend Forcefield Fabric Protector, which you can buy directly on our website here.

Application Tips

• Follow the product directions carefully
• Apply in a well-ventilated area when other people or pets are not around
• Place an old sheet or protective cloth under the rug to catch any overspray
• Allow the rug to dry fully 3-4 hours before placing the rug back in the room

Overspray on flooring creates a slippery surface, so always use a protective cloth under the edges of rug.

3. Removing Furniture Marks

Heavy furniture can leave deep indentations on rugs. Fortunately, there is an easy home remedy.

How to Remove Furniture Marks

1. Place ice cubes directly on the furniture dents
2. Allow them to melt overnight
3. Put a towel under the rug to protect the floor from moisture
4. The next morning, gently fluff the pile up with your fingers

For deeper indentations, repeat the process a second time.

Why This Works

Melting ice slowly rehydrates compressed fibers and helps them return to their natural shape.