How to Clean a Braided Oval Rug

Braided ovals are built differently from most rugs. Long braids of fabric or fibre are coiled into an oval and stitched or laced together. That construction is what makes them last for decades, and it is also why they need slightly different care.

Check what your rug is made of first

Care depends on the fibre. Look at the label or the product listing:

• Jute: must be kept as dry as possible.
• Cotton: small sizes are often machine washable.
• Wool: spot clean only; professional cleaning for a deep clean.
• Polypropylene: can be hosed off, and many are indoor/outdoor.

Always follow the care instructions on the label or the retailer's page. They override anything general, including this guide.

Vacuuming

• Vacuum once or twice a week in busy rooms.
• Turn off the beater bar or brush roll, or use the suction-only setting. A spinning brush can catch the braids and pull them loose.
• Vacuum in the direction of the braids, following the oval.
• Every few months, flip the rug and vacuum the back. Grit works its way through braided rugs and wears them from underneath.

Rotate and flip

Most braided rugs are reversible. Turn the rug a half turn every three to six months, and flip it if both sides are finished. This spreads wear evenly and reduces sun fading on one side.

Spot cleaning

1. Blot the spill straight away with a white cloth. Don't rub.
2. For cotton, wool or polypropylene, mix a little mild detergent in cool water and dab the spot. Rinse by dabbing with clean water.
3. For jute, use as little water as possible. A dry-cleaning powder or a barely damp cloth is safer.
4. Press with a dry towel, then let the rug dry flat with air moving over it.

Washing

• Small cotton or polypropylene braided rugs, around 2' x 3', can often go in a home washing machine. Use cold water, a gentle cycle and mild detergent, and check the label first.
• Larger rugs are too heavy for most home machines when wet. Clean them outdoors on a dry day, or use a professional cleaner.
• Never machine-wash jute.

Drying

Dry braided rugs flat. Hanging a wet braided rug over a line stretches the stitching and can pull it out of shape. Turn it over halfway through drying so both sides dry fully. A rug that stays damp can develop mildew and odour.

Fixing loose braids

Check the stitching or lacing between braids now and then. If a short section comes loose, sew it back with strong thread, such as upholstery or button thread, before it spreads. Never pull a loose strand; trim it with scissors instead.

Keep it flat with a pad

Braided rugs are fairly thin and slide on hard floors. A rug pad stops slipping and also reduces wear from grit underneath. See our guide to rug pads for oval rugs.

Browse braided oval rugs.