Rug Care and Maintenance

A good rug should last ten years or more. Most of the damage we see in the showroom is not from wear but from the wrong cleaning method: too much water, the wrong vacuum head, or a spill left to set. This guide covers everyday care, spill treatment and the specific rules for each rug material we sell.

Everyday care

• Vacuum weekly, more often in hallways and under dining tables. Use the suction-only head (no beater bar or rotating brush) on wool, shag, viscose and hand-woven rugs; a beater bar is fine on most machine-made polypropylene and polyester rugs.
• Rotate the rug every 3–6 months so sun fading and foot traffic wear evenly.
• Use a rug pad. A felt or anti-slip pad stops the rug creeping, reduces friction wear on the backing and protects hybrid, laminate and timber floors underneath.
• Keep it out of direct afternoon sun where possible, or rotate more often. Sunscreen blinds make a big difference in west-facing rooms.
• Shedding is normal for new wool and shag rugs. Loose fibres from the manufacturing process work their way out over the first few months and vacuuming removes them; it is not a fault.
• Sprouting (a single long tuft standing above the pile) should be trimmed level with scissors, never pulled.

Treating spills and stains

1. Act immediately. Blot liquids with a clean white cloth or paper towel, pressing down from the outside of the spill inward. Scoop up solids with a spoon or blunt knife.
2. Never rub. Rubbing pushes the spill into the pile and frays the fibre.
3. Mild cleaning solution. Mix a teaspoon of clear, non-bleach dishwashing liquid in a cup of lukewarm water. Dab onto the stain with a cloth, working from the edge in. Blot with a damp cloth to rinse, then blot dry.
4. Test first. Try any cleaner on a hidden corner and wait for it to dry before treating the visible area.
5. Dry fully. Lift the rug or prop the wet section up so air gets to the backing. Damp backing left on a hard floor can cause mould and can mark timber.
6. Avoid bleach, oxygen-based stain removers, steam cleaners and carpet shampoo machines unless the rug is specifically labelled as suitable.

Care by rug material

Wool rugs

Wool is naturally stain-resistant and resilient, and it responds well to regular vacuuming without a beater bar. Clean spills with cold water only; hot water can felt the fibre. Expect shedding for the first few months. Professional cleaning every two to three years keeps the pile open and the colours clear. Avoid long exposure to moisture, which can cause the natural latex backing on some rugs to break down.

Polypropylene, polyester and heat-set rugs

These synthetic fibres make up most of our modern, traditional and kids' ranges. They are the easiest rugs to look after: colourfast, tolerant of most mild household cleaners and quick to dry. Vacuum normally, spot clean with the mild solution above, and hose down and air dry on a sunny day if the rug is small enough to move.

Shag and high-pile rugs

Vacuum with the suction head only or, better, with the hose attachment, so the long fibres do not wrap around a rotating brush. Shake smaller shag rugs outdoors to lift the pile. Blot spills gently and allow extra drying time because the thick pile holds moisture.

Viscose, art silk and tencel rugs

These fibres give the softest sheen but are the most sensitive to water: liquids can leave a permanent yellow ring and the pile can harden when it dries. Blot spills instantly and use as little moisture as possible. Keep viscose rugs out of dining rooms and entries, and have them professionally dry-cleaned rather than wet-cleaned.

Jute, sisal and other natural fibre rugs

Natural plant fibres absorb water, so never saturate them. Vacuum regularly, blot spills dry straight away and spot clean with a barely damp cloth. Natural fibres can show water marks, so treat a spill as a whole-section clean rather than a single spot. Avoid bathrooms, laundries and uncovered outdoor areas.

Machine washable rugs

Our washable rugs can go in a domestic front loader on a cold, gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Remove the non-slip pad first, do not use fabric softener or bleach, and lay flat or hang to dry in the shade rather than tumble drying. Check the individual product page for the maximum size your machine can handle.

Cowhide rugs

Shake out and vacuum in the direction of the hair. Wipe spills with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then dry with a towel. Keep cowhide away from direct sun and heaters, which dry out the hide, and never machine wash or soak it.

Hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs

Treat these as you would wool: suction-only vacuuming, cold-water blotting, and professional cleaning every few years. Hand-tufted rugs have a canvas backing glued with latex; keep the backing dry to prevent it from cracking.

Outdoor rugs

Outdoor-rated polypropylene rugs can be hosed down and left to dry in the sun. Hang them over a rail rather than leaving them flat and wet, and bring them under cover in prolonged wet weather so the backing does not stay saturated.

Storing a rug

Vacuum both sides, make sure it is completely dry, then roll it pile-side in around a cardboard tube. Wrap in breathable fabric or paper (not plastic, which traps moisture) and store flat or standing upright in a cool, dry place. Never fold a rug for long periods; creases in the backing can be permanent.

Need help?

If you are not sure how to treat a particular stain or rug, send a photo and the rug name to sales@maynerugsandflooring.com.au or call Castle Hill on (02) 9894 8805 or Liverpool on (02) 9602 7228. If the job is beyond a home clean, ask us about professional rug cleaning options.

Rug size guide · Shop all rugs