How to Clean & Maintain a Shaggy Rug
Shaggy and deep-pile rugs are wonderfully soft underfoot, but their longer pile naturally holds more dust and dirt than a short-pile rug.
The secret to cleaning them properly is simple: get as much dry dirt out of the rug as possible before you start washing it.
Before Washing – Get the Dirt Out
1. Turn the Rug Upside Down
Place your rug pile-side down on a clean, solid floor.
Gently beat the back of the rug with a broom handle or a flat, smooth piece of timber. This knocks dust and grit down through the pile and back out through the front of the rug.
Alternatively, run a vacuum cleaner with the beater bar switched on over the BACK of the rug.
2. Lift, Clean & Repeat
Carefully lift the rug and you’ll probably be surprised by how much dirt has appeared underneath it.
Sweep or vacuum this away, put the rug back down and repeat the process.
Keep going until little or no further dirt comes out.
3. Vacuum the Pile
Turn the rug back over.
Vacuum the top of the pile using suction only, with the beater bar switched OFF, or use a suitable vacuum attachment.
This removes the final loose particles before washing.
Washing Your Shaggy Rug
The correct cleaning solution depends on what your rug is made from.
Polyester & Polypropylene
Many polyester and polypropylene shaggy rugs can be washed using a mild solution of:
1 part household bleach to approximately 10 parts warm water.
Apply carefully and wash the pile without unnecessarily soaking the rug.
Always check that your particular rug is suitable and test a small, inconspicuous area first, especially where a rug has different coloured fibres, fringes or other materials.
Never mix bleach with any other cleaning product.
Wool
Wool needs a gentler approach.
Use approximately:
1 part mild shampoo to 5 parts water.
Work the solution gently through the pile without over-soaking the rug, then rinse carefully.
Never use bleach on a wool rug.
Drying Your Rug
Drying is just as important as washing.
Hang the rug somewhere warm and well ventilated where air can circulate around it.
A warm, breezy summer’s day is perfect – although, being in Britain, you may need to plan that part carefully!
Allow the rug to dry completely before putting it back on the floor. Thick and shaggy rugs can hold moisture deep within the pile even when the surface feels dry.
Do not tumble dry unless the rug’s care instructions specifically say that you can.
What About Greek Flokati Rugs?
Greek Flokati rugs require slightly different care.
Before washing, follow our dust-removal method above – beating or vacuuming the back of the rug until very little dirt remains, followed by gentle vacuuming of the wool pile.
Can I Machine Wash a Flokati?
If your Flokati is small enough, it can be washed in a washing machine provided your machine is capable of safely handling the weight of the rug when wet.
Use:
A wool/gentle wash
A minimal amount of suitable wool detergent
A low-temperature setting
Once washed, do not tumble dry.
Hang the rug somewhere warm and airy and allow it to dry naturally and completely.
For larger Flokati rugs, follow the hand-washing instructions for wool rugs above.
Regular Shaggy Rug Care
You shouldn’t need to wash your rug very often if you keep on top of the dry dirt.
For everyday care:
- Vacuum regularly using suction rather than an aggressive beater bar on the pile
- Deal with spills as quickly as possible
- Occasionally clean the rug from the back to remove trapped dirt
- Rotate the rug periodically to even out wear
- Use the correct rug underlay to help keep it securely positioned
Not Sure? Ask Us Before You Wash It
Not every rug should be cleaned in the same way.
If you’re unsure what your rug is made from or how best to clean it, send us a photograph or bring it into our Bodelwyddan or Shrewsbury store before you start.
FrithRugs also offers professional rug cleaning and repair services if you’d rather leave it to us.
Over 40 Years of Rug Knowledge
We’ve been selling and caring for rugs since 1981. If you’re unsure, ask us – we’d much rather help before you clean your rug than afterwards.
