Rug Chick Blog
Hi, I’m Lisa Wagner, your trusted rug friend. I created RugChick because honest, practical rug advice was hard to find. Today it’s a go-to resource for buying, caring for, and cleaning rugs. Homeowners get clear tips, rug care professionals get safe methods, and rug makers/designers find candid insights so we can raise the bar together. Browse the articles, search your question, and reach out if you need help. I’m glad you’re here!
If you are in San Diego, visit us at Blatchford’s San Diego Rug Cleaning & Repair. Here I am with my mom Kate and my niece Chris, three generations caring for your rugs.
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Wool in the Garden: Lost Wisdom
Our farming ancestors knew this: waste wool from shearing was never trash. It was tucked into garden beds to feed the soil, keep moisture where roots need it, and make life a little harder for pests and weeds.
What Survives A Fire? The Case for Wool in Your Home.
A side-by-side fire test video produced by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) caught my attention recently.
When “Luxury” Isn’t. A Message to Rug Brands On What Is Slipping Through the Cracks.
The rug was clearly a lower-end hand-loomed construction from India, with a glue-backed structure and materials unlikely to perform well...
India Hand-Loomed Rugs: What You Need to Know
The rug was clearly a lower-end hand-loomed construction from India, with a glue-backed structure and materials unlikely to perform well...
Luster-Washed Wool Rugs: What You Need To Know
These rugs in open areas will wear faster, and develop shadowing (light/dark areas) as the tips of the fibers break away from years of wear.
Cleaning Pros Uncovering the Truth in Rug, Carpet, and Hard Floor Quality
I am getting ready to travel to teach at an international gathering of professionals who focus on the care of our indoor living worlds...
Silk Rug Scams (ALL Buyers Beware)
If you are looking at buying a silk rug, and if you are being asked to pay thousands (or tens of thousands), PLEASE get a second opinion.
How To Fold Big Rugs
In this short video we'll talk about how to fold larger rugs for transport.
Moroccan Rugs. What You Need To Know.
Rugs may shed for a variety of reasons. The shedding may be due to bad fiber quality, bad construction quality, or bad homeowner care.
Shedding Rugs. What You Need To Know.
Rugs may shed for a variety of reasons. The shedding may be due to bad fiber quality, bad construction quality, or bad homeowner care.
I receive emails weekly asking about what to do about a shedding rug. Here is an overview of common rug shedding scenarios, and whether there are any tips to help.
What Is Protector
Protector is a coating that is applied to clean rugs and textiles. This coating helps prevent permanent staining and makes it easier to clean up spots, spills, and general dirt.
Viscose Rugs – Artificial or Art Silk
Many rugs marketed today as silk, are in fact artificial silk rugs made of viscose fibers. Rugs made of viscose or technically viscose rayon present several unique problems
Understanding White Knots in Your Rugs
Many rug owners and actually quite a few cleaners, are unaware that many rugs marked 100% wool on the label actually have quite a bit of cotton in them.
Understanding Tufted Rugs
In this short video we'll talk about tufted rugs. You'll learn what they are, how they are made and you'll also discover that these rugs have some common issues.
Understanding Tea-Washed Rugs
Tea washed rugs are very common in today's marketplace. Tea washing gives rugs a an antique sepia tone effect. A tea washed rug has been over dyed with a brown or golden dye.
Understanding Abrash in Your Rugs
One of the things that makes hand woven rugs so beautiful is the visual texture of the rug. Part of this texture comes from the natural Abrash of the rug. Abrash is a word that describes
Protect Your Rugs From Pet Urine Damage
Accidents Happens. Even the most well trained pet can have an accident in the home due to any number of different causes. If you own area rugs and pets, it's important to understand the four ways
Protect Your Rugs From Moths and Bugs
In this short video we'll answer the question "how can you protect your rugs from moths and bugs?" Protecting your rugs from destructive pests is actually pretty easy if you remember a few key points.
Never Let a Carpet Cleaner Clean Your Rugs
Watch as we discuss why you should never let a carpet cleaner clean your area rugs in your home. In just a couple of minutes you'll know more than most carpet cleaners do about the damage
Mistakes Rug Owners Make
We'll discuss the two mistakes that most rug owners make that severely shortens the life of their rugs. These two mistakes are easy to avoid and in just a few minutes you'll know how to avoid them yourselves.
How Should You Vacuum Your Area Rugs?
We answer the question how you should vacuum your area rugs. Improper vacuuming can damage and devalue your rugs. Vacuums with beater bars and brushes can break the face yarns and distort the pile.
How Often Should I Clean My Wool Rugs?
How often should I clean my wool rugs? To answer that let's look at what abrasive dirt really is and how it affects your rugs. This is a magnified image of sandpaper. You can easily see the sharp edges that act
Do You Have Moths or Bugs Damaging Your Rugs?
How can you tell if you have moths or bugs damaging your rugs? Good quality rugs can last for hundreds of years, but moths and other pests can literally eat holes in your rug very quickly and cause
Do I Need A Rug Pad?
Rug pads can add many benefits to people with area rugs. But they aren't suitable for all rugs or in all situations. Many people don't know when or if they should get pads for their rugs.
Load More
Wool in the Garden: Lost Wisdom
Our farming ancestors knew this: waste wool from shearing was never trash. It was tucked into garden beds to feed the soil, keep moisture where roots need it, and make life a little harder for pests and weeds.
What Survives A Fire? The Case for Wool in Your Home.
A side-by-side fire test video produced by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) caught my attention recently.
India Hand-Loomed Rugs: What You Need to Know
The rug was clearly a lower-end hand-loomed construction from India, with a glue-backed structure and materials unlikely to perform well...
Luster-Washed Wool Rugs: What You Need To Know
These rugs in open areas will wear faster, and develop shadowing (light/dark areas) as the tips of the fibers break away from years of wear.
Cleaning Pros Uncovering the Truth in Rug, Carpet, and Hard Floor Quality
I am getting ready to travel to teach at an international gathering of professionals who focus on the care of our indoor living worlds...
Silk Rug Scams (ALL Buyers Beware)
If you are looking at buying a silk rug, and if you are being asked to pay thousands (or tens of thousands), PLEASE get a second opinion.
Moroccan Rugs. What You Need To Know.
Rugs may shed for a variety of reasons. The shedding may be due to bad fiber quality, bad construction quality, or bad homeowner care.
Shedding Rugs. What You Need To Know.
Rugs may shed for a variety of reasons. The shedding may be due to bad fiber quality, bad construction quality, or bad homeowner care.
I receive emails weekly asking about what to do about a shedding rug. Here is an overview of common rug shedding scenarios, and whether there are any tips to help.
Load More
Wool in the Garden: Lost Wisdom
Our farming ancestors knew this: waste wool from shearing was never trash. It was tucked into garden beds to feed the soil, keep moisture where roots need it, and make life a little harder for pests and weeds.
What Survives A Fire? The Case for Wool in Your Home.
A side-by-side fire test video produced by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) caught my attention recently.
When “Luxury” Isn’t. A Message to Rug Brands On What Is Slipping Through the Cracks.
The rug was clearly a lower-end hand-loomed construction from India, with a glue-backed structure and materials unlikely to perform well...
Luster-Washed Wool Rugs: What You Need To Know
These rugs in open areas will wear faster, and develop shadowing (light/dark areas) as the tips of the fibers break away from years of wear.
Silk Rug Scams (ALL Buyers Beware)
If you are looking at buying a silk rug, and if you are being asked to pay thousands (or tens of thousands), PLEASE get a second opinion.
Moroccan Rugs. What You Need To Know.
Rugs may shed for a variety of reasons. The shedding may be due to bad fiber quality, bad construction quality, or bad homeowner care.
Shedding Rugs. What You Need To Know.
Rugs may shed for a variety of reasons. The shedding may be due to bad fiber quality, bad construction quality, or bad homeowner care.
I receive emails weekly asking about what to do about a shedding rug. Here is an overview of common rug shedding scenarios, and whether there are any tips to help.
Load More
Wool in the Garden: Lost Wisdom
Our farming ancestors knew this: waste wool from shearing was never trash. It was tucked into garden beds to feed the soil, keep moisture where roots need it, and make life a little harder for pests and weeds.
What Survives A Fire? The Case for Wool in Your Home.
A side-by-side fire test video produced by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) caught my attention recently.
When “Luxury” Isn’t. A Message to Rug Brands On What Is Slipping Through the Cracks.
The rug was clearly a lower-end hand-loomed construction from India, with a glue-backed structure and materials unlikely to perform well...
India Hand-Loomed Rugs: What You Need to Know
The rug was clearly a lower-end hand-loomed construction from India, with a glue-backed structure and materials unlikely to perform well...
Moroccan Rugs. What You Need To Know.
Rugs may shed for a variety of reasons. The shedding may be due to bad fiber quality, bad construction quality, or bad homeowner care.
Shedding Rugs. What You Need To Know.
Rugs may shed for a variety of reasons. The shedding may be due to bad fiber quality, bad construction quality, or bad homeowner care.
I receive emails weekly asking about what to do about a shedding rug. Here is an overview of common rug shedding scenarios, and whether there are any tips to help.
Load More
Wool in the Garden: Lost Wisdom
Our farming ancestors knew this: waste wool from shearing was never trash. It was tucked into garden beds to feed the soil, keep moisture where roots need it, and make life a little harder for pests and weeds.
What Survives A Fire? The Case for Wool in Your Home.
A side-by-side fire test video produced by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) caught my attention recently.
India Hand-Loomed Rugs: What You Need to Know
The rug was clearly a lower-end hand-loomed construction from India, with a glue-backed structure and materials unlikely to perform well...
Luster-Washed Wool Rugs: What You Need To Know
These rugs in open areas will wear faster, and develop shadowing (light/dark areas) as the tips of the fibers break away from years of wear.
Cleaning Pros Uncovering the Truth in Rug, Carpet, and Hard Floor Quality
I am getting ready to travel to teach at an international gathering of professionals who focus on the care of our indoor living worlds...
Silk Rug Scams (ALL Buyers Beware)
If you are looking at buying a silk rug, and if you are being asked to pay thousands (or tens of thousands), PLEASE get a second opinion.
How To Fold Big Rugs
In this short video we'll talk about how to fold larger rugs for transport.
What Is Protector
Protector is a coating that is applied to clean rugs and textiles. This coating helps prevent permanent staining and makes it easier to clean up spots, spills, and general dirt.
Viscose Rugs – Artificial or Art Silk
Many rugs marketed today as silk, are in fact artificial silk rugs made of viscose fibers. Rugs made of viscose or technically viscose rayon present several unique problems
Understanding White Knots in Your Rugs
Many rug owners and actually quite a few cleaners, are unaware that many rugs marked 100% wool on the label actually have quite a bit of cotton in them.
Understanding Tufted Rugs
In this short video we'll talk about tufted rugs. You'll learn what they are, how they are made and you'll also discover that these rugs have some common issues.
Understanding Tea-Washed Rugs
Tea washed rugs are very common in today's marketplace. Tea washing gives rugs a an antique sepia tone effect. A tea washed rug has been over dyed with a brown or golden dye.
Understanding Abrash in Your Rugs
One of the things that makes hand woven rugs so beautiful is the visual texture of the rug. Part of this texture comes from the natural Abrash of the rug. Abrash is a word that describes
Protect Your Rugs From Pet Urine Damage
Accidents Happens. Even the most well trained pet can have an accident in the home due to any number of different causes. If you own area rugs and pets, it's important to understand the four ways
Protect Your Rugs From Moths and Bugs
In this short video we'll answer the question "how can you protect your rugs from moths and bugs?" Protecting your rugs from destructive pests is actually pretty easy if you remember a few key points.
Never Let a Carpet Cleaner Clean Your Rugs
Watch as we discuss why you should never let a carpet cleaner clean your area rugs in your home. In just a couple of minutes you'll know more than most carpet cleaners do about the damage
Mistakes Rug Owners Make
We'll discuss the two mistakes that most rug owners make that severely shortens the life of their rugs. These two mistakes are easy to avoid and in just a few minutes you'll know how to avoid them yourselves.
How Should You Vacuum Your Area Rugs?
We answer the question how you should vacuum your area rugs. Improper vacuuming can damage and devalue your rugs. Vacuums with beater bars and brushes can break the face yarns and distort the pile.
How Often Should I Clean My Wool Rugs?
How often should I clean my wool rugs? To answer that let's look at what abrasive dirt really is and how it affects your rugs. This is a magnified image of sandpaper. You can easily see the sharp edges that act
Do You Have Moths or Bugs Damaging Your Rugs?
How can you tell if you have moths or bugs damaging your rugs? Good quality rugs can last for hundreds of years, but moths and other pests can literally eat holes in your rug very quickly and cause
Do I Need A Rug Pad?
Rug pads can add many benefits to people with area rugs. But they aren't suitable for all rugs or in all situations. Many people don't know when or if they should get pads for their rugs.
Load More
Wool in the Garden: Lost Wisdom
Our farming ancestors knew this: waste wool from shearing was never trash. It was tucked into garden beds to feed the soil, keep moisture where roots need it, and make life a little harder for pests and weeds.
What Survives A Fire? The Case for Wool in Your Home.
A side-by-side fire test video produced by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) caught my attention recently.