Spilled something on your wool rug? Worry not, rugs in Dubai experience lots of stuff. It would require some immediate response but it will be able to reverse the damage. The luxury and warmth of wool rugs is favored by everyone. But its maintenance is something that often feels too big a deal. No matter how well maintained you have kept your carpet, it is bound to experience some stains or damage. The only thing that matters is how quickly you respond to remove the stain from the wool rug.
Some Common Types Of Stains On Wool Rugs
Wool rugs are known for their durability and resilience. But, even they can get stained occasionally. Some common types of stain that these rugs experience include:
Food & Beverage Stains
Food stains are one of the most common issues that happen to almost every carpet. Whether it’s coffee or red wine, beverage spills leave slight discoloration. Even tea and sauces can leave permanent stains if not treated immediately.
Oil & Grease Stains
Makeup spills and salad dressings may not be the first thing that come to mind when thinking about stains, but they do happen. Oil-based spills penetrate deep into wool fibers and can be hard to get out.
Pet Urine & Odors
Another common issue in households with pets is urine and vomit stains. They can become a big challenge and often need professional cleaning. Even after cleaning the stains, they leave lingering odors, which leave the whole room stinky.
Ink & Dye Stains
Inks spills and colors, especially bright ones can be very stubborn. You will need some quick response and effective cleaning products to get them out.
Dirt & Mud Stains
Dirt and mud are often an issue in high-traffic areas like hallways and entrances. Shoes bring in dirt and leave foot prints that soil the carpet permanently if not cleaned promptly. You need to use special cleaning products that won’t damage the wool fibers but will clean the rug effectively.
Essentials For Cleaning Stains
Here is a list of the essential tools and materials you will need to get the stain out of the wool rugs.
- Paper Towels/Clean White Cloths
- Mild Wool Carpet Cleaner
- White Vinegar
- Wool-safe Stain Remover
- Warm Water
- Brush With Soft Bristles
- Plastic Spoon/Spatula
- Vacuum Cleaner With Brush Attachment
Food & Beverage Stain Removal
If you have accidentally spilled some wine or coffee on the carpet, here is what you can do.
- Blot the stain immediately using a clean white towel or cloth. You can also use kitchen paper towels to blot the excess liquid out of the carpet fibers. Gently press the towel or cloth onto the stain and work from the outside in, so the stain doesn’t spread. It is important to avoid scrubbing or rubbing, as it can damage the delicate wool fibers and also cause the stain to settle deeper into the fibers.
- Now that you have blotted the stain it is time to prepare a cleaning solution for the stain. You can use a mild, pH-neutral wool carpet cleaner and mix it with warm water as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Not using the right cleaner for the wool fibers can damage them and cause other issues including discoloration.
- As a safety measure, you can do a patch test of the cleaner on an inconspicuous area of the rug. If it works well and doesn’t cause any discoloration after a few minutes, move ahead with cleaning the stain.
- Spray some of the solution onto the affected area and let it work its magic. You can also use a cloth dipped into the solution and dab it onto the stain. Avoid pouring the solution directly and saturating the carpet, because it will be hard to get it out later.
- Gently work the solution into the wool fibers and blot the stain. After a few minutes of blotting, the stain will begin to fade. If it doesn’t you can apply some more cleaning solution and repeat the process until the stain is removed fully.
- You can then rinse the residue out from the stained area. Water will wash everything away including the residue of stain and the cleaner. Next, you can blot the wet area with a clean cloth or a sponge to get the excess moisture out.
- Let the carpet air dry fully without exposing it to the sun or direct heat. Exposure to a direct heat source can damage the wool fibers.
Important Note: If the stain is stubborn and doesn’t go away with any of the cleaning tips, consult a professional for the right cleaning treatment.
Oil & Grease Stain Removal
If we are being honest, oil and grease stains can pose a big challenge when it comes to their removal. They will cling to the wool fibers and won’t leave them alone easily. Here is what you can do:
- In such a situation, time is of the essence. As soon as the spill happens, you will need to blot it up as fast as you can. Use a paper towel or clean white cloth to blot up as much excess grease or oil as you can. Don’t try to rub it as it will cause the oil to move in deeper and settle there. This will be much harder to remove later.
- After blotting, you can use talcum powder, baking soda, or cornstarch to absorb oil more efficiently. Sprinkle a generous amount of any of these powers and let them do their thing. Leave them on the stain for at least 20 minutes so that they absorb the oil fully.
- Then, you can use a spoon or a spatula to scrape off the paste-like materials. This will be a mixture of the absorbent powder that you used and the residual oil or grease. Make sure that you are careful with the scraping and not pushing the stain deeper into the wool fibers.
- Now, prepare a mixture using warm water and a wool-safe cleaner with neutral pH. Spray it onto the stain or pour it on a clean white cloth and then dab the affected area with it. Blot the stain gently and work inward from the outside so that you don’t spread the stain.
- After using the cleaner, dampen the cloth with some warm water and blot the stain repeatedly. This will remove both the stain and the residual solvent from wool fibers.
- You can then leave the carpet to dry completely after removing excess moisture. Let the carpet air dry and don’t expose it to any direct source of heat like fire or an electric heater.
- You can use a soft bristled brush to brush the wool fibers to bring back their appearance. This will restore the texture and make the carpet look good as new.
Important Note: If the stain persists and makes the wool fibers sticky, consult a professional for an appropriate cleaning practice.
Pet Urine Stain & Odor Removal
Pets are not as careful with their bodily fluids and their human owners have to bear the cost. As soon as you notice a pet stain, get to work. Because the longer you leave it unattended the harder it will be to get it out.
- Blot up the excess liquid as much as possible with clean paper towels. Don’t do it too harshly or you will push the liquid further inside the fibers.
- Next, take a clean white cloth and dip it into warm water. Dab the cloth onto the affected area because it will dilute the stain and make it easier to get out. You can then use an enzyme-based, wool-safe cleaner and prepare a cleaning solution with warm water. You can easily find wool-safe pet stain remover at pet stores. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before moving further.
- Dab the affected area with the cleaning solution and let it sit for the time mentioned in the instructions. The solvent will break down the composition of the pet stain.
- After letting it rest, rinse the affected area with plain water to remove all the residue. Then, blot up the excess moisture from the wool rug until it feels dry to touch.
- If you notice any lingering odors, you can sprinkle some baking soda onto the rug. Let it rest overnight and then vacuum it up the next day.
Important Note: If the pet stain or odor linger, call a professional cleaning team for help. Otherwise you will be saying goodbye to your wool rug.
Ink & Dye Stain Removal
In case of spilled ink or dye, your quick response can matter significantly.
Removal of these stains is similar to the removal of food and beverage stains.
- Once the spill occurs, you can remove the excess ink or dye with a clean white cloth or a paper towel.
- Then take some isopropyl alcohol and dampen a clean white cloth with it. For efficient performance, use isopropyl alcohol with at least 90% concentration. Use that cloth to blot out the residual ink or dye from the fibers. Work from the outside in, so that the stain doesn’t spread to the surrounding fibers.
- Then dampen the cloth with warm water and use that to dab onto the stain. This will remove the residual alcohol as well as the ink or dye.
- This process will most likely remove the stain completely. If the stain persists, you can use a wool-safe cleaner and prepare a solution mixed with warm water. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer to get the best results.
- Once you are done, rinse the stain with warm water and blot out the excess moisture. Then, let the rug air dry completely without exposing it to heat.
Final Words
Wool rugs are nothing short of luxury, which is why they demand extra care and maintenance. The above mentioned cleaning tips will help you in tackling different types of stain on your wool carpet. If the above mentioned cleaning guidelines don’t work properly, it is recommended that you consult a professional carpet cleaning team. They will address any underlying issues and remove the stain effectively, leaving your carpet in a good as new condition.
