Wondering if you can use a Bissell carpet cleaner on your wool rug?

It’s a valid question because wool rugs are a bit more delicate than regular carpets.

Well, I have some good news - you CAN use it! But before you go full steam ahead, there is a RIGHT way to do it, otherwise you’re going to end up damaging the rug.

In this post, I’ll show you how to use Bissell carpet cleaner on wool rugs.

Can You Use Bissell Carpet Cleaner On Wool Rug?

Yes, you can use a Bissell carpet cleaner on a wool rug. It's safe as long as you do it right.

The most important things to remember are using the high setting at a slow pace and avoiding hot water. 

Wool needs gentle treatment because it's a natural fiber - using high-speed cleaning or too much heat could damage or shrink it. 

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How To Use Bissell Carpet Cleaner On Wool Rug

Here’s how to safely clean your wool rug with a Bissell Carpet Cleaner:

#1 Check The Label

Before you start cleaning, take a good look at your rug's care label. 

Most wool rugs come with care symbols or written instructions that tell you how to clean them properly. Look for any information about using water-based cleaners, temperature limits, and specific warnings.

The label might also tell you how the rug was made, what kind of dyes were used, and what fibers are in it - all of this affects how you should clean it.

#2 Use A Gentle Cleaning Solution

Using a gentle cleaning solution is SUPER important for wool rugs. 

You'll want to find products that specifically say they're safe for wool and have a pH between 5.5 and 8.5. 

These cleaners are made to get your rug clean while protecting the natural oils in the wool. 

Or you can make your own solution by mixing wool-specific detergent with lukewarm water - use one part detergent for every three parts water. 

Don't use regular household cleaners, vinegar solutions, or oxygen bleach because these can hurt the wool fibers or make the colors run. 

Many wool rug shampoos include extra ingredients that protect against moths and condition the fibers while they clean.

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#3 Test For Colorfastness

Next you need to double check if your cleaning solution is safe.

Find a small spot on your rug that people won't see, perhaps in a corner or under some furniture. Put some of your cleaning solution on this spot and wait 10 minutes. 

Watch to see if any color comes off, if the colors start to bleed, or if the fibers look damaged. 

Pay attention to how the wool handles getting wet - if the area gets really soggy or starts to smell strange, there might be problems with the backing. 

If your rug has different colors, test each one because different dyes can react differently to cleaning products.

#4 Vacuum The Rug

You need to get all the loose dirt, dust, and debris out before using the Bissell carpet cleaner.

Start by vacuuming your rug thoroughly with a vacuum that lets you adjust its height. 

Go over the rug multiple times in different directions to get all the dirt out. 

For the best results, turn the rug over and vacuum the back too - this helps remove dirt that's stuck deep in the rug that could turn muddy when it gets wet. 

Make sure to clean the edges, corners, and any particularly dirty areas extra well. 

#5 Set The Bissell Cleaner

Get your Bissell carpet cleaner ready by checking that everything is clean and working right. 

Put lukewarm water in the clean water tank (keep it under 100°F/38°C) and add the right amount of wool-safe cleaner according to what the instructions say. Put the machine on high suction mode so it pulls up as much water as possible. 

If your Bissell has different brush settings, pick the gentlest one to avoid damaging the fibers. 

Make sure all the parts are attached properly and lined up correctly before you begin.

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#6 Gently Clean The Carpet 

Start cleaning from one corner and work your way across the rug in straight lines. 

Make sure each cleaning path overlaps a little with the last one so you don't miss any spots. 

Keep the machine moving slowly and steadily - don't stay in one place too long or you'll get the rug too wet. Give extra attention to areas that get walked on a lot and visible stains, but resist cleaning the same spot over and over. 

If your rug is really dirty, it's better to clean it twice with drying time in between rather than getting it too wet all at once.

#7 Rinse And Extract

After you finish cleaning, empty the tanks and rinse them out completely. 

Fill them back up with just clean, lukewarm water - don't add any cleaning solution this time. 

Go over the whole rug several times to get rid of any cleaning solution that's still in there. This step really matters because leftover soap can make the rug get dirty faster and damage the fibers. 

Keep rinsing and extracting until the water you're pulling up looks clear. 

#8 Dry, Brush And Fluff 

You’re almost done! You just need to dry the rug and then brush and fluff it.

Put fans around your rug to help it dry evenly. If you can, prop up the rug a little so air can flow underneath it. If your home is humid, using a dehumidifier will help the rug dry faster. 

When the rug is mostly dry (about 80% there), use a soft brush to gently fix the nap, brushing in the same direction as the fibers. This keeps the wool from matting and helps it look natural. 

Once the rug is completely dry, vacuum it one more time with the right attachment to make it look full again and remove any loose bits.

Bottom Line

You can definitely clean a wool rug with a Bissell carpet cleaner, just use a gentle solution, set the carpet cleaner to the high setting and do it slowly. 

But for expensive or antique wool rugs, you might want to have them professionally cleaned. 

Better be safe than sorry!

If you're not sure about cleaning your particular wool rug, talking to a professional cleaner can help you feel more confident and ensure your rug gets the care it needs.

FAQs

Can You Use A Carpet Cleaner On A Rug On Hardwood?

Yes, you can use a carpet cleaner on a rug on hardwood, but be cautious. Make sure the rug is well-secured and doesn’t move around, and avoid oversaturating it.

Can You Use Bissell Carpet Cleaner On Area Rugs?

Yes, you can use a Bissell carpet cleaner on area rugs. It's actually really great for synthetic rugs.