One question I’m asked all the time in direct messages is “How should I clean my new Chris Loves Julia x Loloi rug?” I get it! There are a lot of differing opinions on the market. There are also a myriad of products out there that are marketed as the “best-ever rug cleaners” or “no-fail rug cleaners.” In my research, I was thrilled to see that Loloi and I both agree on one of our favorite spot cleaning products (keep reading to find out which one has our hearts).

Bradley Sage/Olive Rug | Bradley Rug Collection | Living Room Sources

First, let’s talk about the rug design. Our rugs may look a little more solid online, but I intentionally designed these rugs to have a marled or heathered effect. We have kids and pets…the last thing you need is a rug with no variation in it that will show every speck.

So what if you do have a spot that needs some extra TLC? Step one: Don’t panic. I went straight to the source and got tips from our manufacturing partners at Loloi. Hopefully you can rest assured that you won’t make a miss-step on your beautiful new investment.

Judy Natural/Ivory Rug | Judy Rug Collection | Polly’s Room Sources

Types of Rugs: Which Ones I Prefer and How to Clean Them

There are several different types of fibers used in rugs, and we’ll talk about some of the most popular types. When I put together my collection, I focus on using wool, jute and cotton materials over others because of their natural beauty, durability, and livability.

Wool

My Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Briggs and Bradley collections both feature 100% wool. If you happen to have a spill, Loloi recommends that you use a common wool cleaning detergent such as Folex carpet spot remover, Woolite Heavy Traffic Carpet Cleaner and the Bissel Little Green Machine. It’s true: I swear by Folex, just saturating any spots and dabbing it up. You can also create a cleaning solution from a teaspoon of neutral detergent and a teaspoon of pure white vinegar combined with a quart of warm water. If it’s a liquid spill, blot up the stain with paper towels as much as possible before you apply the cleaning solution.

Jute

A key thing to note with 100% jute rugs is that they’re not water-resistant, so to avoid any problems upfront, skip these rugs for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms. That’s why they’re perfect for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. If you do happen to get a spot on them, simply blot the stain with a dry cloth quickly and then contact a professional cleaning service for the best treatment options. 

Combo

So what do you do when you have a multi-material rug? That can be tricky, as much depends on the primary fiber content. For example, my Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Polly collection has more wool in the blend than the Judy collection, which is primarily jute but also contains wool. Because of its higher wool content, the Polly line will shed slightly more than the Judy line, so it will do best when vacuumed regularly. For both of those collections, Loloi recommends avoiding moisture because of the jute content, which tends to warp slightly when wet.

Judy Natural/Sky Rug | Greta’s Room Sources

General Rug Care Tips & Tricks

It may be intuitive (especially with pets!) but with any wool-content rug, you’ll want to get out the vacuum at least once a week, especially in the first month. Why is that important early on? So glad you asked (because we did too.) The pile of a rug with wool tends to shed the most in the beginning and then subsides to a degree. Loloi recommends vacuuming without the beater bar frequently in the beginning to reduce shedding overall.

Polly Navy/Silver Rug | Polly Rug Collection | Bonus Room Sources | Rug Pad | Rug Pad Grippers

Don’t forget the rug pad! These provide some basic cushioning and reduce slippage with the added grip. Plus, they protect your hardwood floors. Rug pads also help prevent the rug from buckling or wrinkling. 

Now that you have the know-how of rug care, you’ll be ready to keep your rugs in tip-top shape amidst life’s everyday messes.

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