4 Ways to Wash a Handwoven Rag Rug

Whether you've purchased a freshly woven rag rug, found one at a thrift shop or inherited a family heirloom, if you plan on using your rug for its intended purpose, at some point it will need to be washed. Depending on your climate, the fiber content of your rug and the equipment available to you, we have a few care and cleaning options to help keep your rug in tip top shape.

General Use and Care

Handwoven rag rugs typically don't have any sort of backing. In our home, for comfort and safety, we like to place a grippy rug pad under each rug to keep it in place. (You can read more about our favorite rug pad HERE.)

Regularly remove larger debris by shaking your rug gently outside. There's no need to give them a hard snap. It may make a satisfying noise, but over time hard snapping weakens the warp threads, so just don't.

Here's a time saving secret! When a rag rug starts looking a little dingy on one side, there's no need to rush to wash it. Since rag rugs are essentially the same on both sides you can flip it over, clean side up.

4 Ways to Wash a Rag Rug

Pre-treat, soak and air dry

Handwashing is probably the most common and accessible way to care for a rag rug. If the rug has any stains begin by pre-treating the spot with a laundry product appropriate for the rug's fiber content. Next, soak the rug in the bathtub with tepid water and low or no-rinse laundry detergent (Soak, Unicorn Power Scour and Eucalan are three we use frequently). Finally, squeeze out the excess water.

Clean rugs can be air dried outside, in the fresh air, away from direct sunlight which will fade the fabric. Either lay the rug flat on a drying rack for maximum air circulation or hang the rug lengthwise so the water wicks down the fabric weft. If necessary press out any wrinkles before placing rugs back on the floor.

Power wash and air dry

Weather and equipment permitting, rag rugs can be power washed on a clean patio or driveway with a biodegradable, multi-purpose, power washer soap. Lay your rug on a clean surface. Power wash each side with soap then rinse.

As before, air dry flat on a drying rack or by hanging the rug lengthwise and press out any wrinkles before placing the rug back on the floor.

Snow wash and sweep dry

Snow washing works for wool rugs in cold climates. It needs to be done on a very cold day when the snow is dry and crispy, not wet and sloppy. Place your rug on the snow, cover it with snow then brush it clean. (I've also heard family stories of sending children out to stomp on snow covered rugs to get them clean.) Whisk off all the snow before bringing the rug indoors.

Use a rug washing station

In places like Finland, where rag rugs are part of the culture and used in just about every home, you can find public rug washing stations.

Fill the basin with water and let your rug soak. Flip down the washing platform and scrub your rug with pine soap then rinse. Put the rug through the manual roller to wring out any excess moisture being careful not to get your hand squished between the rollers. Hang your rug on the rack while you clean up your washing area. Take your rug home to finish air drying.