First of All, Make Sure to Follow These Tips Carefully:

Cleaning your Beni Ourain rug properly requires careful attention to ensure the natural wool fibers remain intact, soft, and beautiful. Follow these essential tips to get started:

1. Prepare Your Cleaning Area
   Choose a clean, spacious area where you can lay the rug flat and work comfortably without restrictions.

2. Handle Your Beni Ourain Rug Gently
   Remember, a Beni Ourain rug is 100% wool, so be gentle with scrubbing. If you’re using a detergent like Tide or Arial, make sure it’s a formula with color protection to keep the natural tones of the rug vibrant.

3. Skip Fabric Softeners
   Avoid liquid softeners. Wool rugs don’t need fabric softeners, which may even alter the wool’s texture or leave residues.

4. Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
   Fill a 10-gallon container with water and add 15 fl oz of Tide or Arial detergent, preferably one that is gentle on colors. This ratio works for standard-size rugs; for larger rugs, you may need to add a bit more detergent.

Getting the Rug Ready for Washing

Step 1: Undust the Rug

Before you begin washing, take the time to shake or lightly beat out any dust trapped in the wool fibers. This step will help you avoid muddying the water with excess dirt.

Step 2: Wet the Rug Thoroughly

Place the rug in your cleaning area, and soak it with enough water to cover the surface. If your rug is approximately 1.5m x 1m, mix about 15 fl oz of Tide or Arial into the water. Add a bit more if your rug is larger.

• Tide is safe for wool rugs but stick to the recommended method below for the best results.

• Use a very soft brush to work on the rug for about 10 minutes, focusing on any visibly dirty spots. The gentle scrubbing will help lift dirt without damaging the wool.

• Rinse thoroughly, using enough water to wash out all the detergent foam. Any leftover soap can dull the wool’s natural texture and feel.

Step 3: Softening with Downy

Once the rug is clean, you can enhance its softness and add a pleasant scent with a bit of Downy. Make sure to rub the Downy through the rug’s knots using your hands rather than a brush to avoid tangling the fibers.

• Rinse well afterward, ensuring all Downy foam is removed to prevent residue from building up on the wool.

Drying Your Rug – Soft, Gentle, and Sun-Kissed

Proper drying is key to preserving the quality and softness of your Beni Ourain rug. Here’s what to do:

1. Check the Weather
   Make sure sunny days are ahead, ideally with three full days of sun.

2. Dry on an Open Base
   Use an open base, like a wooden pallet, to allow air circulation. Avoid dryers or heated drying machines, as they can damage the wool fibers and cause shrinkage.

3. Sun Drying – The Best Approach
   Place your rug under direct sunlight for up to three days, depending on the rug’s size. Sunlight will not only dry your rug but will also naturally sanitize and deodorize it.

By following these steps, your Beni Ourain rug will be clean, soft, and perfectly dried, just like the beautiful rug shown below! Enjoy the fresh look and feel of your refreshed Beni Ourain rug.