How do you clean an old wool area rug?

Question

I purchased an old wool, floral patterned, pile area rug (approx. 8' x 10') at an auction. It needs cleaned and there is not a professional cleaner in my area. Can I clean it with a traditional steam cleaner using cold water? If so, what about the beater bar? Do I need to diconnect that so I don't fuzz the wool? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

I am a pro carpet cleaner and have been in the business for 10 years, do not take your wool rug to the laundry mat and do not use your steam cleaner on it. Wool is a very delicate fiber and can therefore be easily damaged. I would definitly see if there is any professional carpet cleaners that will come and pick it up from your house. If your area rug is not to expencive however you may be able to get away with just using the steam cleaner with no beater bar and just water, but if it is expencive the the only way to go it to have a pro do it.

Answer 2

Since you don't have a cleaning service in your area;I would recomend taking it to laundry mat that has commerical washers and add 1/2 cup woolite and wash on the lowest setting and then take home and place over railing or flat surface and let air dry. I do this with my Oriental area rugs. If a laundry mat is unavailable; use the recomendation above in your bath tub; squeezing gently after your drain tub and then palce over railing or place on flat surface.