How To Prevent a Wool Area Rug from Shedding

Some wool area rugs are prone to shedding. While new wool rugs of any type will shed for a while but based on how the wool was spun and the rug-making method the shedding may continue. 

Can You Stop a Wool Area Rug from Shedding?

The simple answer to this question is ‘No, you can’t’. The initial shedding of any new modern rug is a consequence of using a natural material with relatively short fibers to create very long strands of material with which to weave. Stray fibers will inevitably work their way loose and be pulled out of the rug in the normal course of people walking on it.

The shedding can be slowed down by the use of a good rug pad to absorb some of the impact. In the normal course of events the shedding in a good quality rug carpet will stop after several months. If shedding continues after, say, 6 months you have a quality problem, not a shedding problem. You should seek redress under the terms of your guarantee.

How to Reduce the Amount of Shedding

First of all, if the shedding seems excessive, do not wait for it to stop. Seek assistance from the supplier immediately and register your concerns. After you have done this you should put the rug into a low traffic area to try to reduce wear. If the rug is an expensive, hand-woven rug, make sure that you are using it for the purpose for which it was designed. Not all rugs are for walking on. Many rugs are designed as wall hangings, especially those produced by hand. These rugs should not be sold for floor use. If the rug is definitely for floor use and you are already using a rug pad there is nothing more you can do.

Cleaning

It would be very unwise to try to use any form of cleaning on a shedding rug except for a low pressure vacuum cleaner. It is important that the rug be cleaned often if there is a danger that grit is being walked into it. Grit can cause severe damage by cutting into the wool strands and separating fibers from the weave. A top quality rug will have no backing so that you can lift it from the floor and any grit and dust will be left behind. If there are significant amounts of grit, it could contribute to the shedding. In this case, take more care in the what footwear is allowed on the rug.  

Wool area rugs should provide many years of use. A rug that sheds is only unusual if the shedding does not stop within a few months. Do not invalidate the guarantee you have on a rug carpet by trying any treatment to stop the shedding. Your supplier is your only recourse.