Load It
- Hand-woven Orientals, kilims, and soumacs. Look at the fringe and the back of the rug. The fringe should be woven into the rug, not applied. On the back, the pattern should be the same as the front, but the knots should be irregular.
- Lightly soiled wool and cotton rugs that need only a bit of spot cleaning.
- Sisal, seagrass, or jute rugs in good condition can be gently scrubbed.
- Hooked or needlepoint rugs with intact stitches.
Leave It
- Lightweight, synthetic rugs that probably didn't look all that great when new.
- Heavily soiled rugs that need to be professionally cleaned.
- Grease, oil, ink, or red-based stains.
- Odors, especially mildew or urine.
- Anything that needs to be rewoven.
