One question I'm asked all the time in direct messages is "How should I clean my new Chris Loves Julia x Loloi rug?" I get it! There are a lot of differing opinions on the market. There are also a myriad of products out there that are marketed as the "best-ever rug cleaners" or "no-fail rug cleaners." In my research, I was thrilled to see that Loloi and I both agree on one of our favorite spot cleaning products (keep reading to find out which one has our hearts).
Bradley Sage/Olive Rug | Bradley Rug Collection | Living Room Sources
First, let's talk about the rug design. Our rugs may look a little more solid online, but I intentionally designed these rugs to have a marled or heathered effect. We have kids and pets...the last thing you need is a rug with no variation in it that will show every speck.
So what if you do have a spot that needs some extra TLC? Step one: Don't panic. I went straight to the source and got tips from our manufacturing partners at Loloi. Hopefully you can rest assured that you won't make a miss-step on your beautiful new investment.
Judy Natural/Ivory Rug | Judy Rug Collection | Polly's Room Sources
Types of Rugs: Which Ones I Prefer and How to Clean Them
There are several different types of fibers used in rugs, and we'll talk about some of the most popular types. When I put together my collection, I focus on using wool, jute and cotton materials over others because of their natural beauty, durability, and livability.
Wool
My Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Briggs and Bradley collections both feature 100% wool. If you happen to have a spill, Loloi recommends that you use a common wool cleaning detergent such as Folex carpet spot remover, Woolite Heavy Traffic Carpet Cleaner and the Bissel Little Green Machine. It's true: I swear by Folex, just saturating any spots and dabbing it up. You can also create a cleaning solution from a teaspoon of neutral detergent and a teaspoon of pure white vinegar combined with a quart of warm water. If it's a liquid spill, blot up the stain with paper towels as much as possible before you apply the cleaning solution.
Jute
A key thing to note with 100% jute rugs is that they're not water-resistant, so to avoid any problems upfront, skip these rugs for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms. That's why they're perfect for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. If you do happen to get a spot on them, simply blot the stain with a dry cloth quickly and then contact a professional cleaning service for the best treatment options.
Combo
So what do you do when you have a multi-material rug? That can be tricky, as much depends on the primary fiber content. For example, my Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Polly collection has more wool in the blend than the Judy collection, which is primarily jute but also contains wool. Because of its higher wool content, the Polly line will shed slightly more than the Judy line, so it will do best when vacuumed regularly. For both of those collections, Loloi recommends avoiding moisture because of the jute content, which tends to warp slightly when wet.
Judy Natural/Sky Rug | Greta's Room Sources
General Rug Care Tips & Tricks
It may be intuitive (especially with pets!) but with any wool-content rug, you'll want to get out the vacuum at least once a week, especially in the first month. Why is that important early on? So glad you asked (because we did too.) The pile of a rug with wool tends to shed the most in the beginning and then subsides to a degree. Loloi recommends vacuuming without the beater bar frequently in the beginning to reduce shedding overall.
Polly Navy/Silver Rug | Polly Rug Collection | Bonus Room Sources | Rug Pad | Rug Pad Grippers
Don't forget the rug pad! These provide some basic cushioning and reduce slippage with the added grip. Plus, they protect your hardwood floors. Rug pads also help prevent the rug from buckling or wrinkling.
Now that you have the know-how of rug care, you'll be ready to keep your rugs in tip-top shape amidst life's everyday messes.
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Thanks for these helpful tips! Do you have a recommendation for a specific vacuum or attachment that won’t damage the wool rugs. I have the Briggs and currently have a Dyson v7.
This was such a helpful article. I've pinned it to my favorites so I can come back when I need it. I just got a Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Polly rug for my living room and I have LOVED it. It was everything I was looking for and more. It goes perfectly with our couch and the vibe of the room in general. We made sure to get upholstery cleaning on our couch before we installed the rug. Let's just say it feels like a whole new room. So happy with how it turned out!!
Sadly- my slate and ivory rug from the poly collection faded in large spots to a taupe color from grey! So sad because it’s a big rug and I get soooo many compliments! I have really taken care of the rug and used folex or recommended cleaners with my green machine! I’m hosting my daughter’s wedding at my house this fall so I’m undecided about what to do? Buy another rug? Not if it changes color or go with a completely different rug?
I’m bummed!
Thanks
So sorry you've had this experience! We chatted with Loloi about this, and they wonder if it’s a factor of direct sunlight, which can occasionally cause discoloration. You can also send photos to Loloi so they can assess here. Loloi noted that they haven’t received this feedback about this rug so it doesn’t sound like a manufacturing issue.
Hi! How would you recommend handling stains on a Polly rug, if moisture is a no-go?
Hi Madeleine! Each Polly rug has a different composition, so be sure to check here first. For jute as the primary ingredient, the safest bet is to consult a professional, but Loloi let us know that you can also use a mild detergent with just a bit of water. If you do the latter, make sure you thoroughly dry the rug once you’re finished cleaning it (some even suggest a hair dryer). The key is to not let moisture sit in the rug to avoid warping/discoloration.
Any tips on vacuuming wool rugs? I’ve read use a vac without the beater, but that doesn’t get everything up like hair. 🫠
Best advice here is to keep vacuuming – frequency really helps with wool rugs. You can also get a rug rake to pick up hair and help fluff the rugs/keep them looking fresh. Loloi actually does this on set when photographing rugs!