In short
- Check the label: fibre and care instructions decide what's safe.
- Small cotton and synthetic rugs can often be washed at home.
- Wool, viscose, silk, jute and hand-knotted rugs are best left to a professional.
Start with the label
Look for a label on the back or along an edge. It should tell you the fibre and give care instructions. No label? Look closely: a shiny, silky pile is often viscose (sometimes called art silk or bamboo silk); a rough, straw-like weave is usually jute or sisal; a springy, matte pile is usually wool.
A guide by fibre
| Rug | At home? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic (polypropylene, polyester, nylon) | Often, yes | Small ones may be machine washable. Larger ones: spot clean and vacuum. |
| Cotton flatweave | Often, if small | Follow the label. Colours can run, so wash separately in cold water. |
| Wool | Spot clean only | Too much water can cause shrinkage and colour run. Needs a wool-safe clean. |
| Jute and sisal | Dry care only | Water causes brown marks and shrinkage. Vacuum and blot spills dry. |
| Viscose or art silk | No | Water can yellow the fibres and flatten the pile for good. |
| Silk, hand-knotted or antique | No | Best cleaned by a specialist rug washer. |
Everyday rug care
- Vacuum rugs regularly. Use suction only, with the beater bar off, on fringes and delicate rugs.
- Turn rugs every few months so they wear and fade evenly.
- Shake small rugs outside to get grit out.
- Use a rug pad underneath, which reduces wear and stops slipping.
- Keep rugs out of strong direct sun, which fades colours.
Drying is where most home cleans go wrong
A rug that's only half dry can smell, grow mould and mark the floor underneath. Dry rugs flat, in the shade with plenty of airflow, and turn them over so the back dries too. Never put a damp rug back on a timber floor: moisture trapped underneath can mark the timber.
When to call a professional
- Wool, viscose, silk, jute or hand-knotted rugs.
- Large rugs that you can't dry properly at home.
- Pet accidents, especially on wool.
- Colour bleeding, water marks or a rug that has gone stiff after cleaning.
A professional checks the fibre and dyes first. Valuable or antique rugs are best washed by a specialist rug washer.
