Here’s what it’s crucial that you know about how to clean an oriental rug.

Avoid doing these things when cleaning an oriental rug, or you could risk ruining it.

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Wool rug hung over patio railing while beating out dirt with broom

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

Remember to vacuum toward the pile, rather than working against it.

Hose It Down

Use a garden hose to thoroughly soak the oriental rug.

Work from the side of the rug closest to you to the other end.

Sponge lightly scrubbing wool rug with wool wash detergent mixture

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

You won’t need much herea few tablespoons dispersed across a large rug will be plenty.

Use a soft-bristled scrub brush to work the detergent into the fibers.

Blot it onto any stubborn stains until the stain begins to lift away.

Wool rug being vacuumed

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

Use the Squeegee

Gently push a large squeegee across the oriental rug toward the fibers.

This will squeeze out excess moisture and soap without further saturating the rug.

This may take multiple passes, depending on the size and moisture level of the rug.

Time to Dry

Set down a layer of towels atop a dry surface.

Finish by vacuuming to restore the pile.

Oriental rugs should never be steam cleaned.

They contain dyes that are sensitive to hot water, leading them to bleed when exposed to steam.

Plus, harsh steam cleaning detergents can damage the delicate wool fibers of these rugs.

Baking soda is a great tool to absorb odors or oils left behind from stains on oriental rugs.

Yes, you could use vinegar on an oriental rug, but confirm it’s diluted.