Washing Wool Rugs???

[Jenny Wrenny]

I have a lovely heavyweight Witney wool rug for my horse which we use only for hunting and I love it, its so thick and warm. I have just bought, off Ebay, a used Derby House fairly lightweight wool rug which I plan to use as a cheap but warm under rug when its very cold - it has cross over surcingles so will be practical and if it gets dirty/damaged its really not the end of the world. I'm certainly not risking my lovely Witney for everyday use.

Ideally I would like to give this rug a wash before I use it because it is second hand. The care instruction reads "100% Wool Blazer Dry Clean Only - Wash Separately 30c" so I'm really not sure what to do. I have an approved Woolmark wash setting on my washing machine but am reluctant to bung it in if its going to come out the size of a My Little Pony rug!

I have currently got it hanging on the washing line just to give it a bit of an airing. Do you think I really need to wash it?

Any advice anyone?

 

[onemoretime]

Might be worth giving a rug wash company a ring and talk to them, they should have experience. Otherwise I would go in to your local Dry Cleaners and ask them how much to clean it and tell them that it will smell horsey just to make sure that they are prepared to take it.

 

[marmalade76]

I have risked an old dry clean only hacking jacket several times on a wool wash and it came fine.

 

[cremedemonthe]

I've washed dozens of Witney wool rugs before I repaired them, as long as the water isn't too hot and the soap is mild they come out ok.
Oz