Beni Ourain Care: A Guide to Gently Washing Your Wool Rug

Cleaning a 100% wool Beni Ourain rug requires care and gentleness to preserve its texture and vibrancy. While wool is durable and can withstand some tough love, the gentlest cleaning methods yield the best results. Follow these steps to maintain your rug’s quality and appearance.

Prepare Your Cleaning Space

Before you begin, make sure your cleaning area is fully set up.

1. Choose a spacious area: Ensure the rug has ample room for movement.

2. Gather materials: You'll need a mild detergent (like Tide or Ariel) with color protection, a soft brush, plenty of water, and optionally, a softener like Downy for an extra soft finish.

Essential Tips for Cleaning Wool Rugs

• Use minimal detergent: A small amount of detergent, ideally with color protection, is sufficient.

• Avoid fabric softeners: They may coat the wool fibers, making the rug heavier and altering its texture.

For a 5' x 3' rug, fill a 10-gallon container with water and add about 15 ounces of laundry detergent.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

Step 1: Dust the Rug

Thoroughly remove dust and debris from the rug to prevent dirt from embedding deeper into the fibers during washing.

Step 2: Wet the Rug

1. Saturate the rug: Use enough water to fully wet the rug before applying detergent.

2. For a 1.5 x 1 meter rug, approximately 15 fl oz of detergent is ideal. Larger rugs may need more.

Step 3: Gentle Washing

Use a soft brush to gently scrub visible spots for 5–10 minutes, applying minimal force to protect the wool fibers. Rinse thoroughly until no detergent residue remains.

Step 4 (Optional): Soften the Wool

To add softness, apply a gentle fabric softener like Downy using your hands. Rub gently into each knot, then rinse thoroughly to remove any remaining softener.

Step 5: Drying the Rug Naturally

Drying is as important as washing and can be time-consuming. Here’s how to do it right:

• Check the weather: Ensure there’s no rain forecast for the next three days.

• Set up a drying area: Use a platform with airflow, like wooden pallets.

• Sunlight drying: Wool rugs dry best under sunlight, which helps retain their natural properties. Avoid machine drying, as it may damage the fibers.

Drying can take up to three days, depending on the rug’s size.

Final Thoughts

Following these steps will help maintain the beauty and durability of your Beni Ourain rug. Proper care preserves its natural vibrancy for years, and sunlight drying helps protect the wool fibers without using harsh machinery.