How to clean a needlepoint rug

1. Cut a piece of nylon screen and secure it around the vacuum hose with a hair tie.

2. Use the hose to vacuum the rug in long slow motions from the top of the rug to the bottom.

3. Vacuum in this manner several times until all the dust is removed from the rug. If the nylon screen becomes clogged, brush it off and continue to vacuum in this manner.

4. To wash the rug to eliminate more difficult stains, first wet a cotton ball or cotton bud. Use the cotton ball or bud to gently sweep across one of the fibres of the rug to test for colourfastness. If the cotton swab is still white, the rug can safely be washed.

5. Fill the bucket or tub with cold or lukewarm water, and add a pH-balanced soap specifically designed for preserving needlework. Soak the rug for five to 10 minutes in this mixture. Scrub any spots that are particularly dirty, being careful not to tug on the fibres of the rug.

6. Rinse the rug under a running source of cold water until the water runs clear.

7. Place the rug in a warm, sunny spot on a surface slightly larger than the rug. Reshape the rug so that it resembles its original shape. Allow the rug to dry in this manner.

8. If any dirt or debris remains, repeat the vacuuming process and spot clean with a mild mixture of soap and water.

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