If you have a Flokati rug or are considering purchasing one, here are some tips on how to keep your Flokati rug white, fluffy, and clean.

1. Take your Flokati rug outside and shake it

Giving the carpet a good shake can help lift any wool fibers that have flattened out when furniture has been placed on it or due to heavy foot traffic. Shaking the rug will also remove a lot of dirt and dust that has become trapped in the wool fibers.

If you can get someone to help you shake the carpet, that’s for the best. Each takes one side and shakes it vigorously. You will notice dust and dirt coming out of the carpet. Keep shaking it until all the dust and dirt appear to be gone.

If you don’t have someone to help you, put it on the clothesline. Attach one side of the rug to the clothesline, while holding and shaking the other side.

Try and make the effort to give it a good shake at least once a month.

2. Leave your rug outside for a while, but not in the sun.

Once you’ve thoroughly shaken the rug, leave it outside to air it out, preferably for a few hours. This can help remove odors and help freshen it up.

Do not leave it in the sun. Your Flokati rug is made of wool and too much sunlight can make the wool in your rug look yellow. The sun can discolor wool garments.

3. Brush your carpet

Get a soft bristle brush and brush the carpet. This can untangle tangled wool fibers. Brush it from the center to the outside of the rug. Some of the fibers can get caught in the brush, and that is normal.

You may want to avoid vacuuming the Flokati carpet, especially if you have a vacuum with a rotating brush on the vacuum head. The long wool fibers can get stuck in the vacuum head, which is not good for the carpet or the vacuum.

4. Lift the wool fibers

Once you’ve thoroughly shaken the rug and a good brush, you can lift the wool fibers with a regular plastic garden rake. Make sure the rake is clean. Place the rake at the base of the wool fibers and gently lift the wool from the bottom up.

This should be fairly easy to do after you’ve brushed the carpet. Some of the fibers may get caught in the rake and this is fine. This will not damage your Flokati rug as it is very durable.

5. Wash your Flokati rug

A Flokati rug needs a good wash once a year, depending on how dirty it gets.

If it is small, you can wash it in your machine on a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent, the same as for wool clothing. Do not use bleach. Place it in the shade to dry and then give it a good brush once it has dried.

If your rug is large, place it outside and spray it with water. Take your brush, dip it in a mixture of cold water and a mild detergent, and brush it out. Then dry it in the shade. Brush when dry, followed by raking.

Shaking, airing, raking and washing Flokati carpet should keep it white, fluffy and clean.