Basic Care
Once you receive your flokati Rug it may arrive flattened from packaging. We strongly recommend that you give the rug a good shaking once you receive it. The more you shake your flokati, the fluffier it will become!
The best and most efficient way to keep your flokati looking fresh and to remove loose dirt is to take it outdoors and shake it. We suggest leaving it outdoors for a few hours on a dry day in order to remove most household odors.
To make your flokati fluffier, after shaking it outdoors sprinkle it lightly with water (a plant mister is perfect) and brush it gently with a soft brush from the center of the rug to the edges. A simple garden rake (preferably wood or plastic) will do wonders for your flokati Rug. Gently raking over the wool, from the bottom up, will fluff the flokati beautifully. You will find that some of the wool will get caught in the rake. This is absolutely normal, and is not harmful to your flokati Rug. If damp, allow the rug to dry for a short time before walking on it.
Flokati Rugs and Pets
If your pets have been using your Flokati as a sleeping spot, hanging the rug outside for a while should be sufficient to remove any odor. Pet hairs should be easily removed by shaking or light brushing.
Washing a Flokati
Depending on the amount of foot traffic, your rug will need occasional washing. The truly remarkable thing about flokati rugs is that the more you wash them properly, the fluffier and more beautiful they become. The cleaning process for your flokati rug is amazingly simple. The flokati should be shaken outdoors periodically to remove dust.
Avoid washing your flokati rug in high water temperatures, chlorine bleach as well as dry cleaning. Not avoiding the above will destroy the protective fiber content of the wool.
For small rugs (Up to 24 Sq. Ft. but dependant upon your machine capacity), the quickest and easiest way to wash a small size rug is to put it in the washing machine on a hand wash cycle using a mild natural soap designed for woollens. Do not use harsh detergent or bleach, or leave the rug in the washing machine for a long period after the spin cycle is complete. Hang outside to dry, avoiding direct sunlight if possible.
For larger rugs, wash the rug with the mildest of wool soaps in a bathtub or other suitable receptacle. A cleanser that we carry in stock, and recommend is called Kookaburra Wash. Immerse face down and gently knead the backing to remove soil. Rinse in lukewarm water until the soap is removed. The rug may then be rinsed again in cool water to improve the appearance of the face if desired. Hang on the clothes line to dry. Shake while damp to fluff up the fibers. Alternatively, place the rug in an open space (such as a patio or driveway) or hang it over a line. Spray lightly with a hose to dampen it, then dilute some mild soap in a bucket or hand spray and spread it over the rug. Massage well, as if you are shampooing hair. Hang the rug over a line or a fence and rinse it thoroughly with a hose until the water runs clean. Drip dry, avoiding direct sunlight.
What if My Flokati is Too Large to Handle?
There are many rug companies that will pick up, clean and deliver your flokati back to you without all of the fuss.
Cleaning Light Stains on a Flokati
If light staining occurs, dilute with water. Do not soak the area. Work quickly, do not allow stains to dry or harden. Blot from the edge towards the center using a clean white paper towel or cloth. Avoid rubbing the area or pushing the stain further into the pile.
Vacuuming a Flokati Rug
When vacuuming the flokati, do not run the vacuum over the flokati because the strands will get caught in the rotating brush. Use the suction head of the vacuum (one without a rotating brush).
Frequent vacuuming is key to keeping rugs clean. When vacuuming a flokati rug use suction only. The beater brush of the vacuum can pull the long fibers on the rug which will cause the rug to wear more quickly, and in some cases, it can damage the rug. If your vacuum doesn’t allow you to turn off the beater brush then use the upholstery attachment to vacuum it by hand.
Cleaning Difficult Stains
For stubborn stains and spots, we recommend having your flokati rug professionally cleaned.
