How to Clean a Vintage rug, or really, how to clean a rug at home. This simple method of rug cleaning will work for lots of different rugs! I’ve used this method over and over again, and have had great success. 
As you all know, I’m a HUGE lover of vintage rugs. If you don’t know that already, where have you been?! =)
But seriously, if you love vintage rugs like me then definitely check out:
With all my vintage rug purchases, I’ve noticed that some sellers will list that the rug has been “professionally cleaned” and other’s won’t list that at all. To be quite honest, we walk on rugs and unless they smell weird or have a big stain, I don’t think to clean them. But, my newest (old) rug purchase made me think about how to actually clean a rug at home.
Here’s the backstory on the rug. I got the rug on eBay using the tips that I shared in the post on How to Buy Affordable Vintage Rugs. In the description of the rug, it said something about the rug having moth damage and being dirty.
When it arrived, it smelled like mothballs, for sure.
I thought about taking it to a rug cleaning company but I hated to spend the money on that when I was kinda curious to see if I could just clean the rug at home. I thought about it for a few days and then just decided to go for it. Spoiler alert, I’m so HAPPY that I went for it and since this rug, I’ve cleaned a bunch of rugs at home.
How to Clean a Vintage Rug
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- Test your rug to see if the color will bleed with water. To do this, grab a paper towel and get it wet.
- Press the paper towel firmly into the rug for 2o seconds or so.
- Release the pressure and check the paper towel to see if the rug colors bled. If no color bleeding has occurred, then continue with the steps below.
Cleaning a Rug in the Washing Machine
- If you followed the steps above and your rug didn’t bleed colors, then grab your rug and throw it in the washing machine.
- Turn the washing machine to cold
- Use the Handwash Cycle
- I make my own laundry soap so I added some of the homemade laundry soap to the water while it was filling up. If you don’t make your own laundry soap, you could add some gentle detergent (just a small amount to the water before adding your rug).
- Hang to dry (I use a wood drying rack)
Wood Drying Rack
When to Use the Laundromat to Wash Rugs?
If you have a standard size washer, you are generally safe to wash rugs under 4×6′. Over that, I would definitely use a laundromat to clean your rug.
I hope this was helpful! I know I’m specifically writing about vintage rugs, but I’ve had great success in cleaning my indoor/outdoor rugs using this same method. Also, I recently read Pro Tips for Cleaning Your Vintage Rug which includes a few other methods if you don’t want to try the washing machine method!
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How funny, I kept thinking yesterday was Friday too! I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t get it out of my head. I even left after school care and thought, oh shoot, I forgot to leave a check for next week! LOL
That is funny! LOL
I’ve used this method on a small Moroccan wool rug with great success.
oh, awesome! Thanks for sharing!!
LOL! My grandmothers head just exploded! I have several of her rugs that back in the day they bought from the Sears catalogue ( pre 1900 )….I keep mine vacuumed and aired and spot treat…but something I didn’t have a sentimental attachment to would go in the washer or the backyard for a brisk cold water spray
I know, right?! lol I’ve heard lots of people that take them to the backyard to hose them off. For a larger rug, I’d definitely try that but totally agree on a sentimental rug… you might eventually have to have it professionally cleaned.
We share a little bit of a brain on this one Ashley. There are very few things I won’t put in the dishwasher or washing machine. I have to think long and hard about bringing something in that I can’t toss in either of those…or with a good spray outside.
What a great find! I’m looking forward to checking out your vintage rug sources. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Lynn
Glad to hear that! I’m the exact same way yet it freaks people out sometimes.
you can wash a leg rug by hanging it outside and using a pressure washer with just water and laundry soap and they come out perfect and clean.
That’s a good idea!
You can take the large rugs to a car wash. They have a great high pressure hose that you can use and industrial sized racks to hang them on.
Such a fab idea!!
Me, three. I, too, put rugs into the washing machine. I have yet to have an issue. Be careful to use the delicate/hand wash cycle and hang to dry. You may have to reshape and dry flat. Not a hill to die on. Saves a lot of $$ provided you do not ruin your rug. Trust your best judgment. If in doubt, do not do it.
Exactly!! Glad to hear that you’ve found success with it as well.
Add a cup of ammonia to the wash for wool rugs or sheepskins. It cleans them beautifully and fluffs them up again.
Cheers from Ruth
Thanks Ruth! I would have never thought to add ammonia to the wash!
Hi Ashley. Did the smell come out and did it reshape after it dried? I’ve always been too nervous to throw my rugs in the wash.
Yes, the smell came out just fine. The shape was also fine after if laid out for awhile!