When we were first asked how to clean and care for Moroccan rugs, we decided to go straight to the source, the weavers who actually make them. Their answer was pretty straightforward: “Every month or so, we take the rug outside, give it a shake, rinse it in the river, and lay it over a shrub to dry.” This simple method has worked wonders for generations.
But what if you don’t happen to have a crystal-clear mountain stream flowing through your New York apartment? In that case, like most things in modern life, it all comes down to good old-fashioned prevention.
Simple Steps to Make Your Moroccan Rug Last Longer
Preventative care doesn’t mean you have to stop people from walking on your rug or hanging it on the wall like a museum piece. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. What often surprises people is that it’s not just footsteps that wear a rug down; it’s the dirt that slowly builds up from all that foot traffic. Over time, those tiny particles work their way into the fibers and start breaking them down little by little. The longer dirt sits in the rug, the deeper it settles and the more damage it causes.
That’s why regular cleaning is so important. The goal is to keep dirt from settling in and making itself at home. The easiest method? Take your rug outside and give it a good old shake once a week. This is the method weavers swear by, and it’s a big reason why their rugs last for generations. If shaking it out isn’t doable, a weekly clean with a canister vacuum works well too. Just make sure to vacuum the rug side-to-side (not end-to-end) with the beater bar raised. In fact, this can be just as effective, if not more than, shaking. For best results, combine both approaches into your regular routine.
What Else Can You Do?
Of course, even with the best care, a little dirt is bound to sneak in. That’s where a good rug pad can really make a difference. It not only adds a layer of softness and comfort underfoot but also helps keep the rug in place. It is especially handy if you’re laying it on hardwood floors. Plus, it minimizes friction between the rug and the floor, which helps reduce wear over time.
One of the least-known benefits of using a rug pad is that it acts as a buffer, so even if dirt reaches the underside of the rug, the damage is much less severe. We usually recommend a felt and rubber combo rug pad: the felt adds cushioning, and the rubber helps it stay put. If your rug isn’t going on a hard floor, a basic felt pad should do the trick.
Now, in a worst-case scenario, too much trapped dirt can eventually lead to fiber breakage, which may cause the rug to shed. Don’t confuse this with the natural shedding that often happens with newly-made Moroccan wool rugs; that’s completely normal and depends on the type of wool used. We actually cover this in more detail in our blog post all about wool.
And if you are dealing with shedding, one of our go-to tools is a rug rake. It’s gentle on the fibers but effective at keeping things tidy. Again, check out our wool blog post if you want to dive deeper into this topic.
Thinking About a Professional Clean?
After a few years, we do suggest giving your rug a proper deep clean, especially if you have pets around. A quick search online will bring up all kinds of DIY rug washing tips, but we usually don’t recommend most of them. The reason? Every rug is different, and what works for one might damage another.
Our rugs, for example, are all dyed in-house using high-quality, non-toxic dyes. The great thing is, these dyes can handle hot, soapy water (up to 140°F!) without bleeding. So if you ever need to blot a spill, you can do so confidently. But not all rugs are created equal. Moroccan rugs from unknown sources may start bleeding the moment water touches them, even if it’s cold.
To protect your rug and the investment you made, it’s always safest to take it to a professional cleaner. They’ll know exactly how to treat your specific rug so it looks fresh again and lasts for many more years.
