Caring for my handwoven textiles
Each rug and wall hanging that I weave is hardwearing, resilient and easy to clean. Wool needs some care but – with gentle cleaning methods – your rug will last a long time.
Note: these are guides for the care of the woollen, handwoven rugs and wall hangings that I make. For washing or care guides for another piece you should contact the person who made it or consult a textile conservator.
Rugs
No hoovering
Avoid hoovering as this can pull on the wool. Lift and shake out the rug instead.
Spot cleaning
Spot clean any stains with a damp cloth (with its protective coat of lanolin, the wool I work with does not generally stain easily).
Washing your rug
To freshen up and clean the whole piece, run a wool wash programme (at a temperature of 30 degrees Celcius or less) in the washing machine with a teaspoon of gentle, wool-specific detergent.
It has to be a wool wash programme that you use because this will have very little movement – continuous motion while washing will have a felting/shrinking effect. A light spin at the end of the cycle is fine.
Air dry over a laundry rack or hang outside in the sunshine. Alternatively, in winter, you can lay out on fresh snow.
Washing your rug by hand
You can also wash your rug by hand, using cool water (it is difficult to accurately judge for 30 degrees or less, unless using a thermometer!). Do not wring or agitate as this will cause felting or shrinkage.
Roll in a towel and press excess water out. Then dry the rug as above.
Pilling
It’s normal for wool to pill with use. A fabric shaver (like these ones from Steamery) is a great way to tidy things up and have your piece looking brand new again.
Wall hangings
Spot clean any stains with a damp cloth.
Any washing will change the look and shape of your wall hanging.
Selected works
I make to commission and weave my own collections of rugs and wall hangings using unspun, raw wool.