Happy Fri-YAY! Yesterday, I thought it was Friday most of the day and then when I realized that it wasn’t – it was a huge letdown. Has that ever happened to you? Please don’t tell me that I’m the only one who loses track of time. =) Oh well, today is actually Friday so there’s that. Today, I want to share something that worked for me. I’m a bit nervous to post this because I know there will be some negative feedback on the cleaning method that I used but I’d use the same method again so I might as well share! Let’s chat about How to Clean a Vintage Rug.
” width=”683″ height=”1024″>Here’s the backstory on the rug. I got it from one of my favorite sellers (check out my post on Where to Buy Affordable Vintage Rugs if you haven’t see it). In the description, 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 clean it myself. I thought about it for a few days and then just decided to go for it.
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The first thing that I did was grab a paper towel and got it pretty wet.
” width=”800″ height=”534″>Then, I pressed the paper towel firmly into the rug for about 20 seconds.
” width=”800″ height=”534″>I released the pressure and checked the paper towel to see if the rug colors bled. There was no color on the paper towel, so I felt like I could proceed with my cleaning method.
” width=”800″ height=”534″>I wash my bath rugs in the washing machine, so why not wash my vintage rugs?! That was my thought anyways.
I turned the washing machine to cold and made sure to have it on the handwash option.
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” width=”800″ height=”534″>I make my own laundry soap (see my homemade laundry soap post for the know-how) so I added that first. Then, I dropped the rug in.
” width=”800″ height=”534″>Once it went through the cycle, I hung the rug over my drying rack for a day.
” width=”683″ height=”1024″>It came out perfectly! I definitely wouldn’t use this method for large rugs but I’d do it again for the smaller one’s for sure.
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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One more thing, as I was looking for a similar version of my rug… I came across a few awesome rugs at great prices (most are discounted pretty heavily as of last night)!
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Charlotte W says
January 27, 2017 at 9:21 amHow 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
Ashley Mayes says
February 1, 2017 at 9:36 amThat is funny! LOL
Kim says
January 27, 2017 at 5:23 pmI’ve used this method on a small Moroccan wool rug with great success.
Ashley Mayes says
February 1, 2017 at 9:36 amoh, awesome! Thanks for sharing!!
BK says
January 29, 2017 at 12:44 pmLOL! 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
Ashley Mayes says
February 1, 2017 at 9:37 amI 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.
Lynn Spencer says
February 14, 2017 at 9:19 amWe 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
Ashley Mayes says
February 20, 2017 at 6:57 amGlad to hear that! I’m the exact same way yet it freaks people out sometimes.
Alana says
January 13, 2019 at 8:59 amyou 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.
Ashley Mayes says
January 14, 2019 at 9:05 amThat’s a good idea!
Robin V. says
April 25, 2018 at 2:21 pmYou 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.
Ashley Mayes says
April 30, 2018 at 11:17 amSuch a fab idea!!
Whw says
July 10, 2018 at 3:15 pmMe, 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.
Ashley Mayes says
July 12, 2018 at 2:34 pmExactly!! Glad to hear that you’ve found success with it as well.
Ruth McAllister says
January 6, 2019 at 12:31 pmAdd a cup of ammonia to the wash for wool rugs or sheepskins. It cleans them beautifully and fluffs them up again.
Cheers from Ruth
Ashley Mayes says
January 7, 2019 at 10:26 amThanks Ruth! I would have never thought to add ammonia to the wash!