I have a handmade wool throw rug. It hasn't been cleaned in years. It has been down in a basement. Would it be OK if I took to laundromat and washed it in one of the big machines on cold and delicate and used Woolite and Downey? I have heard white vinegar will take musty smell out? Has anyone ever heard of this?
By ann from Tipp City, OH
I would not wash the rug. It's to delicate to wash. Instead take it to your local dry cleaners to have it cleaned professionally. You will be very glad that you did.
You can't wash wool in a washing machine or it will felt! You can have it dry cleaned. I have had 2 wool rugs dry cleaned. They were both white with a very thick 4 inch pile & handmade in Greece. One came out looking wonderful & the other not so good (it looked gray). The difference being, the dry cleaners quoted me a low price to get my business then used old & dirty dry cleaning solution to do the job which turned the rug gray. The next time I knew better & asked for new solution with wonderful results.
Here's some other options listed:
Read my posts here:
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If you follow the tips listed in my first post & the rugs smell musty, then hang them on the line or against a fence & spray both the front & back with a Febreze you like (I like Vanilla). If it's not sunny, bring them back in & let them dry. If you can do this in the sunshine on a hot summer day, the UV rays from the sun will help kill germs.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do you clean pet stains from a wool rug?
I always put cold water on pet stains and absorb with a towel then spray with hydrogen peroxide. I have never tried this on wool but it worked on my car seats and upholstered chair.
My daughter had an accident on a handmade wool rug. I am wondering what the best solution for this is?
By Dom
I have a thick cream wool rug with a long pile. It has gotten very grubby. How do I clean it?
By lynne sowerby from UK
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I have two large lovely wool area rugs from JC Penny, but can not afford to have them dry cleaned. Does anyone have a solution to this expensive problem? Is there a way to clean them at home myself?
