How to Protect a Machine-Made Wool Rug

Place a rug pad underneath your wool rug. A rug pad decreases wear and tear on your rug, and it will make your rug easier to clean.

Raise the beater bar when you vacuum your floors. Beater bars move the carpet fibers for a deeper clean, but they can also prematurely wear out your rug. They can cause wool carpets to fuzz. Raise the beater bar by adjusting your vacuum to the setting for hard floors; this will result in a less-extensive cleaning, but vacuuming your rug more often will compensate for this.

Vacuum the rug at least once a week. This will remove loose dirt and debris that would otherwise get pushed deep into the rug's fibers. If you have children or pets, vacuum the rug several times per week.

Vacuum slowly to get the cleanest floor possible. This is especially important for wool rugs, as you are not able to use the beater bar to work out deep debris.

Clean spills as soon as they occur. Never wait to soak up red wine, milk or even water spills. You can remove most spills if you get to them as soon as they occur.

Spot clean stains as soon as you notice them. This generally includes rubbing a mild detergent solution or a dry cleaning solvent directly on the wool.

Ask guests to take off their shoes when they enter your home. This will prevent shoe stains on your wool carpet.

Clean pets often or train them to not walk on your wool rug, as animals can carry dirt and other debris on their feet.

Avoid eating on or around your wool rug, as food can cause stains.