A Few Simple Tips to the Care and Cleaning of Your Wool Carpets

By: Jim Thornton

Wool carpets and area rugs are beautiful, expensive and with proper maintenance they will last the longest. Owning a wool rug is not only comfortable but for many people it's also a status symbol that conveys wealth and good fortune. Wool carpets maintain the elegance and beauty of any room in your home. There are many naturally occurring qualities in wool that aren't in other carpet fibers.

Wool carpet is able to retain its original appearance much longer than other carpets and it is naturally resistant to soiling. This unique fiber structure outperforms carpets made from synthetic fibers and because of this they improve the value of any home.

The high moisture and protein content of wool fibers give wool carpets excellent natural flame resistance. Wool fibers will not support combustion and are difficult to ignite. In addition, they are self-extinguishable when the flame source is removed. Wool has the ability to absorb up to 30% of its own weight in water vapor without feeling wet and therefore, helps to control humidity. Similarly because of this, it naturally resists static electricity. It is also a natural insulator for both heat and sound. As wool is hydroscopic, it can either absorb moisture or release moisture, creating heat. It will therefore, keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Another benefit of wool's naturally crimped shape is the formation of millions of air pockets that act as insulation to help regulate room temperature and reduce energy bills. Wool has a natural resistance to staining because each fiber is covered by a thin membrane that acts as a repellant and prevents water from penetrating the surface of the wool fiber. This is another reason why wool carpets can maintain their appearance and this improves the appearance and value of your home.

There are some useful tips you can utilize to keep your woolen carpets as beautiful and luxurious as the day you bought them. Certain areas of your wool carpeting receive a lot of abuse from foot traffic, sand, and everyday dirt or dust.

Your most effective method of keeping this natural fiber looking new is to vacuum them often. Experts recommend vacuuming at least three times a week if not every day. It's the quickest and easiest way to combat day to day abuse. To make sure that you're vacuuming effectively change your vacuum belt so that your beater bar rotates properly, adjust the height of your beater bar so that it lightly vibrates your carpet, change your vacuum bag regularly, and be sure to vacuum in a slow steady motion to allow the vacuum to perform at the maximum efficiency.

Spot cleaning your carpet or rug when spills occur is a very effective method of preserving the appearance of your wool carpets. When attempting to clean a spot or a spill you should first blot to get up as much of the spill as possible. For most spots you should use a mild cleaning agent with a neutral ph. Bleaches and alkaline will damage the wool and discolor it.

Wool carpets need to be professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months. It is important to note that wool carpets should not be steam cleaned. The heat from the water can cause shrinkage as well as discoloration from excess moisture. It is best to use some form of a dry cleaning method for wool. The carpet will have a much faster drying and recovery time. Cleaning will soften and shine the wool as well as remove abrasive soil.

With a minimum amount of routine care and maintenance, your wool carpet will steadfastly retain its original texture, color and overall appearance. In many cases wool rugs have been known to maintain their beauty and appearance for over 50 years.