buying new rug; need advice

[Elizabethaw]

I need a new living room rug. I've got two kids, two cats, and a dog. The previous cheap rugs have gotten stained and trashed. I hate to keep buying cheap rugs--it seems like such a waste! If I buy a good wool rug and clean it periodically with a spot bot or similar water-based vacuum, would it hold up to my household? Friends of ours swear by this and say that their wool rug has been extremely filthy and still come perfectly clean after washing.

What do y'all think?

[bzhayes]

I think if staining is a big problem for you, you should keep buying cheap rugs. The stain may come out a little easier on a nice wool rug, but you will be able to stain it such that it will never look good again. Which would be more upset about staining... a cheap rug or an expensive rug.

Plus, I'm not even sure wool is any easier to maintain. Unfortunately, (cheap) synthetic fibers are usually the most stain resistant. Your friends say the stains come right out, but many neat freaks don't know that they are a neat freak.

I saw a nice selection of cheap rugs at target. I would spend more effort looking for stain hiding designs.

[Elizabethaw]

Thanks, you're right. We're not really an expensive rug household right now! :)