Cleaning Hooked Rugs and More

The other day I was asked about cleaning a hooked rug and would it ruin the rug.  This Eat Crow rug has been on my kitchen floor in front of my kitchen sink since 2003.  As it is probably the most stepped on rug and in the most vulnerable spot of all my rugs, I'd say it has held up well.  Yes, I have dribbled or dropped liquids on it but all has been cleaned up without a problem. 

Just a few days ago there were a couple spots which I took care of.  They were small so all I did was take a clean cloth, wet an area larger than my finger, put a little detergent (no bleach) on the cloth and rubbed well.  Then took another clean area of the cloth, wet it and rubbed as I was trying to clean out the soap in the area.

When I was a red meat eater I did dribble probably half a cup or so of 'red juice' if you know what I mean, on the rug.  Immediately I took it to the laundry room and ran clean water on the area, then put it on the floor with towels and stepped on it to try and remove the moisture.  I ran more water on it and repeated.  I was trying to dilute the stain.  Then my final step was to use a mild detergent and water and scrubbed lightly with a brush.  Rinsed and repeated the towel step on technique. There was never a permanent stain thank goodness. 

Afterward cleaning a rug, in the summer you could put the rug on the back deck face down to dry or in winter in the laundry room face down on towels.  I happen to have a dryer which has a rack that prevents the cylinder to spin. So I could have used that too.

I have a friend (who will remain nameless but she knows who she is), even put a whole rug in the washer.  She said she had nothing to lose because her pet had an accident on it.  So it was either put a hose on it to remove the worst of the incident and wash it or toss it in the trash.  So she figured she'd put it in the washer and give it a go.  Cannot remember what type of backing but know it was NOT burlap.

Yesterday's post I commented about starting with a tail up in the circle and ending with the tail up in the same hole.  Someone asked if you always start and end with the tails up.  The answer is YES.  Then you would snip off the end of that remaining piece of wool even with the other loops. 

Feel free to write me with additional questions any time.  I have a feeling everyone is going to be quite busy from now until Friday so I'm wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.

Saundra