DESIGN
Wool Rugs 101: Caring for Your Fable Rug
By Natalie Gitt
Spilled wine, rogue crumbs, the occasional muddy paw—life can be messy, but your rug care routine doesn’t have to be. Fortunately, Fable's machine washable wool rugs are made for real homes, real moments, and real messes. They’re soft underfoot and naturally stain-resistant, with low-maintenance charm that stands up to everyday living.
Here’s your go-to guide for how to clean, care for, and maintain your wool rug with ease.
Why Wool?
Wool is nature’s most stylish problem-solver—a natural performance fiber that brings elegance, durability, and practicality into every room. It’s soft yet strong, elegant but forgiving. At Fable, we craft our wool area rugs using premium, high-quality Certified New Zealand wool chosen for its strength, softness, and low-maintenance nature.
Each fiber is coated in lanolin, a naturally occurring wax that makes our rugs moisture-repellent, stain-resistant, and perfect for the messier parts of life—think toddlers with juice boxes, muddy shoes, and that one guest who’s always balancing a glass of wine and an elaborate appetizer. Our wool rugs repel moisture like a dream, and shrug off spills before they settle in.
And the best part? These are machine washable area rugs—so you get the handmade look without the high-maintenance care.
1. Vacuum Regularly (But Gently)
Keep your rug looking fresh with regular vacuuming. Use a non-rotary suction attachment (skip the spinning brushes—they’re a bit too aggressive for wool) to remove surface dust and dirt. Tip: Regular vacuuming is especially helpful for wool rugs in high traffic areas like entryways and living rooms.
2. Blot, Don’t Rub
Life gets messy—and we’re here for it. If you spill, blot immediately with a clean, absorbent cloth. Avoid rubbing; it can push the stain deeper into the fibers. For tougher spots, add a dab of mild detergent to cold water and gently blot. Wool’s natural lanolin coating does most of the stain-fighting for you, making these some of the best washable wool rugs for busy households.
3. Machine Wash (Yes, Really)
When your rug needs a deeper clean, it’s ready. Our machine washable wool rugs make cleaning effortless—without sacrificing quality or softness.
How to machine wash your Fable rug:
Wash separately in cold water on a gentle cycle
Use mild detergent (no bleach or fabric softeners)
Hang dry for best results, or tumble dry with no heat
A note for the detail-oriented: a little shrinkage (around 4%) is totally normal and part of wool’s character arc. And before you press start, check that your washer and dryer can handle the load (look for 5.1+ cubic feet for washers and 7+ for dryers).
A Note on Loose Threads
See a thread end? Don’t worry. It’s simply where one yarn roll meets another. Gently tuck it to the back of the rug—no need to trim or pull.
Rug Care for Real Life
Your Fable rug was made to live with you—not just look good. Whether it’s a wool rug for your kids’ room, a natural fiber washable rug for your hallway, or a soft wool rug anchoring your living space, Fable’s collection blends style with substance.
So pour the wine. Let the dog in. Invite your friends over. Embrace the beautiful mess of real life. We’ve got your floor covered.
