How to Clean Your Rug
Four Corners Rugs is an Australian-owned rug store specialising in both handmade and machine-made rugs, including wool rugs, polyester rugs, viscose rugs, bamboo silk rugs, nylon rugs and cotton rugs. All of these fibres are woven into beautiful rugs designed for modern Australian homes.
But every rug fibre behaves differently, so always check your rug’s material before cleaning. Proper rug care is essential, especially for delicate fibres like viscose and bamboo silk, which need specialised cleaning techniques.
We test every rug ourselves (pets, spills and all), so our cleaning recommendations come from real-world experience with how fibres behave in Australian households. Use this guide to keep your rug looking beautiful for years and to avoid common rug cleaning mistakes.
General Rug Maintenance
Shedding
• Completely normal for all rug fibres in the early stages
• Settles naturally after the break-in period
• Regular vacuuming reduces loose fibres and keeps the rug looking clean
Vacuuming
• Vacuum weekly following the pile direction
• Avoid rotating or beater-bar vacuum heads (can damage fibres)
• For mud: allow it to dry fully, then brush or vacuum off
• Ideal cleaning method for wool rugs, polyester rugs and most synthetic rugs
Washing
• Avoid dry cleaning and dry-cleaning solvents
• Avoid steam cleaning (can cause moisture damage and shrinkage)
• Never steam clean bamboo silk, viscose or art silk rugs (risk of yellow staining)
• Professional rug laundering every couple of years is ideal
• Avoid overwashing artificial silk fibres (colours and texture may change)
• For delicate viscose rugs, always choose a specialist rug cleaner
Sprouting
• Common in hand-spun or hand-cut rugs
• A stray thread popping up is normal
• Do not pull it, just trim to pile height with clean scissors
Liquid Spills and Spot Cleaning
General Liquid Spills
• Blot immediately with clean paper towels or cloths
• Never rub or scrub (causes fibre damage)
• Place paper towels above and below the rug
• Apply pressure or a heavy object to draw out moisture
• Avoid carpet shampoos on bamboo silk, viscose or art silk rugs
• For wool rugs and polyester rugs, you can use Dr Beckmann Floor Carpet Stain Remover
• Use a fan on a cool setting to speed up drying
• Avoid heat, especially on silk, artificial silk or polyester fibres
• Once dry, gently brush the pile with a soft bristle brush
Food or Oil Spills
• Lift solids gently with a spoon
• Use 1 drop of mild dish detergent mixed with soda water (safe for all rug types)
• For polyester or wool rugs, you can use Dr Beckmann Floor Carpet Stain Remover
• Apply sparingly
• Blot, don’t rub
• For large oil stains, call a professional rug cleaning service
Red Wine Spills (Non-Viscose Rugs)
• Blot immediately
• Place a bowl under the spill
• Pour soda water through the fibres to lift the stain
• Blot and repeat if needed
• Avoid salt (bleaches dyes)
• Avoid plain water first (sets the stain)
• For wool or polyester rugs, Dr Beckmann is safe to use
Red Wine Spills (Viscose, Bamboo Silk, Art Silk Rugs)
• Highly absorbent so act fast
• Do not over-wet
• Blot thoroughly
• If stain persists, mix 1 tsp white vinegar with 3 tsp warm water
• Apply sparingly using small amounts only
• Blot again, then gently sponge with a damp cloth or microfibre
• Blot dry with absorbent towels
• Use a fan on a cool setting
• Avoid heat
• Once dry, gently brush the pile
• For stubborn stains, contact a specialised viscose rug cleaner (we recommend Jumbuck Cleaning & Restoration - below)
Stain Protection: Fibre ProTector
• Adds premium protection from stains, mould, wear and UV fade
• Ideal for bamboo silk, viscose and artificial silk rugs
• Non-toxic and non-allergenic
• Does not change colour or texture
• Best for liquid spills
• Helps professional rug cleaners achieve better results
We recommend reaching out to Premium Surface Protection for any Fibre ProTector need. They operate Nation-wide.
Recommended Rug Cleaners
Victoria
Melbourne Rug Wash
• Ideal for wool rugs and general cleaning
• 22 Edward St, Brunswick VIC
• (03) 9388 9666
• rugwash.com.au
Jumbuck Cleaning & Restoration
• Specialists in artificial silk + Fibre ProTector
• Factory 7/157-161 Beresford Rd, Lilydale VIC
• 1800 835 204
• jumbuckcleaning.com.au
New South Wales
Devine Rug Care
• 17 Mitchell Rd, Brookvale NSW
• (02) 9982 1000
• rugclean.com.au
When to Call a Professional Cleaner
• Large spills or stains with strong colouring
• Pet accidents that have soaked into the fibres
• Persistent odours
• Any viscose, bamboo silk or art silk rug stain
• When you’re unsure and don’t want to risk damage
Rug FAQs
What is the best way to clean a rug at home?
The best way to clean a rug at home is to vacuum weekly, blot spills immediately, avoid rubbing, and never steam clean delicate fibres like viscose, bamboo silk or art silk.
Spot clean wool or polyester rugs using mild detergent or a carpet-safe stain remover.
How do I clean a viscose rug?
To clean a viscose rug, it is pretty tricky because you want to avoid water as much as possible. So blot spills immediately, and dry the area quickly with a fan. The key is to attend to spill immediately and dry completely.
If needed, use a tiny amount of a vinegar-and-water solution if there is a stain and blot dry.
Never steam clean viscose rugs, as they can yellow or lose texture.
How do I remove red wine from a rug?
Blot the red wine immediately, then pour soda water through the rug fibres to lift the stain. For viscose or bamboo silk rugs, avoid flooding the area and instead use a very small amount of diluted vinegar. Avoid salt, as it can bleach rug dyes.
Can I steam clean my rug?
Steam cleaning is not recommended for most rugs and should never be used on viscose, bamboo silk or art silk rugs.
Steam can cause shrinking, fibre damage, yellowing and long-term texture changes.
Professional rug laundering is safer.
Why is my rug shedding?
Rug shedding is normal in the first few months and will reduce over time.
Vacuuming regularly helps remove loose fibres. Wool rugs often shed more initially but don't worry, it does slow down when you start living on the rug.
When should I get my rug professionally cleaned?
Most rugs benefit from professional cleaning every 1–3 years, depending on foot traffic.
Wool rugs can go longer between washes.
For all wool rugs, polyester rugs or acrylic and nylon rugs, you can go to an ordinary professional rug wash laundry.
Viscose and bamboo silk rugs should only be cleaned by specialists. Please ask the rug laundries if they are trained in cleaning viscose beforehand.
How do I clean pet accidents from a rug?
Blot the accident immediately using paper towels, removing as much liquid as possible without rubbing.
For wool or polyester rugs, you can use Dr Beckmann Floor Carpet Stain Remover.
Apply it sparingly and blot again until dry.
Avoid soaking the rug, especially if it is viscose, bamboo silk or art silk, as these fibres absorb moisture quickly and can permanently discolour.
If any smell or staining remains after treatment, book a professional rug cleaner, as trapped moisture can damage the rug foundation over time.