How to Wash & Maintain Your Tufted Rug (Without Ruining Your Loops!)

Tufted rugs are soft, squishy, handmade treasures, and like all handmade things, they need a little care to stay beautiful for years by protecting its tufting fabric and yarn. The good news? Cleaning and maintaining your tufted rug is way easier than most people think.

Whether it’s your very first project or your hundredth, here’s the complete guide to keeping your rug fresh, fluffy, and fabulous.

First Rule: Don’t Soak Your Rug

Unlike woven rugs, tufted rugs are built with a layer of glue and a backing fabric.
When a rug gets fully soaked, two things can happen:

• The glue softens

• The backing can warp or bubble

• Loops may loosen or shift

So instead of deep soaking, we clean tufted rugs the gentle way.

How to Spot-Clean Spills

Accidents happen. Here’s your quick save:

1. Blot — don’t rub.
   Press a clean towel over the area to lift the spill.

2. Mix a gentle solution:
   A tiny drop of mild dish soap + warm water.

3. Dab with a cloth.
   Light pressure only — rubbing can fuzz the loops.

4. Blot again with plain water to remove soap.

5. Air dry completely before stepping on it.

This works for drinks, sauces, and mystery stains (we won’t ask).

How to Refresh an Entire Rug

If your rug is starting to look… tired, here’s a simple reset:

• Vacuum on low suction or use a handheld vacuum

• Always vacuum from the side, not head-on

• Use a lint roller on stubborn fuzz

• Gently pat the rug to re-fluff loops if they’re squished

Avoid rotating brush attachments — they can pull loops out.

Deep Cleaning (Only When Needed)

If your rug needs more than spot-cleaning:

1. Mix a bowl of warm water + mild detergent

2. Dip a soft cloth, wring it out until almost dry

3. Lightly wipe the rug in the direction of the loops

4. Let it air dry flat

Never soak the entire rug.
Never use steam cleaners.
Never use harsh chemicals.

Your handmade rug deserves spa treatment, not power washing.

Long-Term Care Tips

Want your rug looking new for years?

• Keep it away from direct sunlight (prevents fading)

• Shake it out outdoors every few weeks

• Trim stray fibers with scissors (never pull)

• Rotate it occasionally for even wear

• If your rug gets flattened, a quick blow-dry on cool revives it

A little maintenance goes a long way.

What NOT to Do

Here are the common mistakes that actually damage tufted rugs:

🚫 Scrubbing aggressively
🚫 Throwing it in the washing machine
🚫 Using bleach or stain removers
🚫 Soaking the whole rug
🚫 Vacuuming with a rotating brush
🚫 Hanging a wet rug (it stretches!)

Stick to the gentle methods above and your rug stays crisp, fluffy, and fabulous.

Your Rug, Your Story

Every tufted rug is unique and made with your time, creativity, and tiny victories along the way. Taking care of it isn’t just maintenance… it’s honoring all the love you put into it.

If you ever have questions, need help fixing a spot, or want advice on an oops moment, the Dabline community is always here to cheer you on.

Happy cleaning (the fun kind),
The Dabline Team