When a stain appears, speed matters, but rushing to clean it can cause more damage than the stain itself. Rubbing pushes dirt deeper between the fibres. Too much water can soak into the backing, while soap residue makes the area sticky.

Read the care label first. The safe basic approach is to lift away solids, blot liquids, test any product on a hidden corner and use as little moisture as possible.

First aid for a fresh stain

1. Lift away solids. Use a spoon and work from the outer edge towards the centre.
2. Blot the liquid dry. Press a clean white cloth or uncoloured kitchen roll onto the area. Do not rub.
3. Check the material. Polyester and polypropylene can often withstand more than wool or viscose.
4. Test the cleaning product. Apply a small amount to an inconspicuous corner and check the colour and texture once dry.
5. Use very little moisture. Apply the product to the cloth, rather than pouring a large amount directly onto the rug.
6. Let both sides dry. If necessary, lift the area slightly so the backing also gets some air.

Do not use chlorine, bleach or a multi-purpose cleaner. Do not mix cleaning products.

Removing stains: a safe first approach

Stain	What to do immediately	What to do next	What not to do
Red wine or red juice	Blot up as much as possible with white cloths	Blot with a little cold water; if necessary, use a pH-neutral rug cleaner suited to the material	Rub, use hot water, salt or white wine
Coffee or tea	Blot dry from the outside inwards	Treat with a slightly damp cloth and a suitable mild product; then blot away soap residue	Pour water over the area
Dog or cat urine	Absorb the moisture for an extended period with dry cloths	Use an enzyme cleaner suitable for both the fibre and backing; dry the top and underside	Use ammonia, perfume or steam
Vomit or faeces	Remove solids with a spoon and blot	Treat hygienically with a product permitted by the label	Scrub hard or mix two products
Mud	Let the mud dry completely first	Vacuum up the dry dirt and blot any remaining stain with very little moisture	Rub wet mud into the rug
Fat, oil or sauce	Lift away residue and blot without spreading it under pressure	Use a suitable absorbent powder or grease-stain product according to its label; vacuum afterwards	Immediately treat with lots of water

If a coloured or odorous stain keeps returning, moisture or dirt is probably still lodged deeper in the pile or backing. Do not keep making the area wetter. Ask a specialist to assess the appropriate treatment.

Removing red wine from a rug

Immediately place a stack of white cloths on the wine and press gently. Replace saturated cloths until they pick up almost no more colour. Then blot with a clean cloth lightly dampened with cold water. Work from the edge inwards to avoid making the stain larger.

Salt and white wine are often suggested as home remedies, but they are not safe standard treatments. Salt can remain between the fibres and white wine adds more moisture and other substances. It is better to use a cleaner intended for the material and colour of your rug.

Professional cleaning is the safest choice for wool, viscose, a light-coloured rug or a large red stain.

Removing coffee from a rug

Coffee contains colourants; coffee with milk also contains fat and protein. First blot up as much liquid as possible. Then use a small amount of cold to lukewarm water on a white cloth. A pH-neutral product may be needed, but test it first.

Do not keep scrubbing if a brown ring returns as the area dries. Liquid may be sitting deeper in the pile and rising again during drying. A professional cleaner can then treat the full depth evenly.

Treating pet accidents

With urine, you need to tackle both the visible area and the source of the smell. Press dry towels onto the area and repeat until they remain almost dry. Then treat it with an enzyme cleaner explicitly suitable for rugs and the material concerned.

Do not soak the backing. If the rug is on wood, laminate or natural stone, lift it and dry the floor according to that floor's care instructions. Do not put the rug back until both sides are completely dry.

Do not use an ammonia cleaner. Its smell resembles components in urine and may encourage a pet to use the same area again.

How often should you vacuum a rug?

Vacuum once or twice a week. Do it more often if you have pets, young children, open windows beside a busy road or lots of sand in the entrance. Grains of sand rub against the fibres with every step and eventually cause wear.

A practical routine:

• weekly: gently vacuum the top;
• monthly: check the edges, underside and floor beneath it;
• every 3 to 6 months: rotate the rug by 180 degrees;
• immediately: remove crumbs, sand and fresh stains.

For a washable design, also follow the rug washing instructions.

How to vacuum a high-pile rug properly

Long fibres can be pulled into a rotating brush or an overly powerful floor head. Switch off the turbo brush or beater function unless the manufacturers of both the rug and the vacuum cleaner approve this combination.

Steps for a high pile

1. Check for coins, toys or loose threads between the fibres.
2. Use a smooth floor head or an attachment intended for high-pile rugs.
3. Reduce the suction if the head sticks or lifts the pile.
4. Move slowly in different directions without pulling the fibres.
5. Vacuum fringes separately at low power, or remove dirt from them by hand.
6. Lift the rug periodically and clean the floor beneath it too.

Do not beat a large or heavy rug hard over a narrow railing. This strains the backing and edges. If necessary, let it air outside with two people and support its weight evenly.

Is shedding normal with a new rug?

A new rug may release loose fibres or fluff during the first few weeks. These are loosened during production, packaging and initial use. This can last longer with wool; a cut synthetic pile can also contain loose fibre fragments at first.

Vacuum gently with a suitable smooth floor head. Do not pull protruding fibres out of the rug. Only trim a clearly loose fibre carefully to pile height if the care instructions permit it.

Contact the seller if:

• bald patches develop;
• loops or complete yarns come loose;
• the edge opens up;
• the amount of fibre does not decrease;
• the backing becomes visible.

Loose fluff is not the same as structural yarn loss.

Can you use a steam cleaner or wet-cleaning machine?

Not unless the care label permits it. Heat and large amounts of moisture can damage adhesive, backing, colour and fibres. Viscose is very sensitive to moisture; wool can distort or felt. Even with synthetic rugs, the backing may remain wet for longer than the top suggests.

Choose professional cleaning for:

• wool, viscose or an unknown material;
• a large wine, grease or urine stain;
• a musty smell coming from the backing;
• colour that transfers to your test cloth;
• a rug too large to dry evenly at home.

Daily care that limits wear

Place a good entrance mat by the outside door and do not put wet shoes on the rug. Rotate the rug periodically so sunlight and foot traffic do not always reach the same side. Use furniture glides beneath heavy legs and check that any anti-slip underlay is suitable for the floor.

Still choosing a new rug for a busy household? Compare high-pile and low-pile rugs in the material guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important rule for a stain on a rug?

Blot immediately with a clean white cloth and do not rub. Then check the material and test every product on a hidden area.

How do you remove red wine from a light-coloured rug?

Absorb the liquid immediately, blot with a little cold water and only use a suitable pH-neutral product. Call a professional cleaner for wool, viscose or a large stain.

Which vacuum attachment should you use for a high-pile rug?

Use a smooth floor head or one made for high pile. Switch off any rotating brush and reduce the suction if it pulls at the fibres.

How long does a new rug keep shedding?

Loose fibres may come away during the first few weeks; wool can shed for longer. The amount should gradually decrease. Bald patches, loose yarns or an opening edge are not normal shedding.

Can I use bicarbonate of soda or vinegar on every rug?

No. Powder can remain deep in the pile and vacuum cleaner, while acid can affect colours or fibres. Only use a method suited to the material and care label.