Cleaning a rug at home comes down to one thing: matching the method to the material. The safest way to clean a rug at home is to check the fibre first, test for colourfastness, then use a gentle solution and the right amount of water for that type. A wool rug needs very different handling to a synthetic one. Get the fibre right and you'll clean it without shrinking, fading or rotting the backing. Why rugs need different care than carpets Rugs need gentler, more careful handli