How to Clean Wool Carpets?

Wool carpets are an excellent addition to any interior. They are sturdy and durable, provide good insulation, and keep their appearance for years if you take good care of them. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to clean their wool rugs and often ruin them by using inappropriate products or methods. Today, our carpet cleaning specialists share their tips on removing dirt and stains and taking care of the fibres. Read on to enjoy your beautiful natural floorings for years to come.

Shag carpets require professional cleaning more regularly than short pile ones.

Basic Rules for Maintaining Wool Carpets

Whether you have a rug that is 100% wool or a blend of natural and synthetic fibre, the following tips will help you maintain it in good condition and prolong its life. 

Placement Is Important 

Natural carpets and fabrics are quite sensitive to the surrounding conditions, so if you want to keep them in perfect shape, you need to consider where you place them. Wool carpets easily retain moisture, so if you keep them in a humid room, this could lead to mould growth, which will ruin them. If you can’t move them, you need to get a dehumidifier and regularly ventilate the area to keep the air dry. Direct sunlight is also a problem, as it will make the colours of your wool carpet fade quite fast. Suppose your rug is in a very sunny area and you want to keep it there. In that case, you should consider getting thick drapes or blinds and keep them shut, at least during the hours when the sun shines directly into the room.

Regular Vacuuming Is a Must!

We bring a lot of dirt and dust inside of our home – they stick to our shoes and clothes and inevitably get into the fibres of flooring and furniture upholstery. Our garments and household textile items also contribute to the problem. They shed lint that also accumulates onto the carpets. The catch is that wool can hide dirt very well, and homeowners often overlook the need to clean them as regularly as they should. Over time, dirt trapped in the fibres can deteriorate this natural material. It is crucial to vacuum your wool carpets at least once a week, especially in high-traffic areas – around the sofa, coffee table, and dining area. If your wool rug is in the bedroom, it also needs a thorough vacuum as it accumulates a lot of dust and lint, and you definitely don’t want them in the place you sleep.

Avoid using bleach and ammonia – they will ruin your wool rug!

Wool Carpets Stain Removal

No matter how careful you are, getting food or beverage stains on your flooring is a normal part of everyday life. If you need to deal with any type of stain on your wool carpet, there are a few rules of thumb to follow:

• Remove any excess solid substance using a spatula and blot the area with a clean rag dipped in cold water.
• Never rub the spill. You’ll only push the dirt deeper into the fibres.
• We don’t recommend mixing homemade stain removers from recipes found on the internet – they may work or make the problem worse. There are specialised cleaning products dedicated to removing stains from carpets, so it’s better to use them by following the instructions on the label.
• If the spill isn’t greasy, you can mix some strong dish soap and water. Use this solution to remove the stain from your wool carpet. Again, never rub the dirt into the fibres. Better blot the area gently. When you are happy with the result, dip a clean cloth in water and blot until you “rinse” the cleaning product from the spot. 
• Enzyme cleaners can deteriorate wool, so if you use one, make sure to rinse the carpet thoroughly.
• Never use bleach on your wool rug, as it will destroy the fibres beyond repair.
• Important! Always test the stain removal products on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure they won’t cause colour bleeding and ruin your wool carpet.
• Suppose you need to deal with large spills, stubborn stains, or substances that are notoriously difficult to remove (blood, faeces, grease, juice etc.). In that case, it is better to book a professional stain removal service.

Deep Cleaning of Wool Carpets

Wool carpets are much more sensitive than synthetic carpets, and they tend to trap dust and dirt very deep into their fibres. Regular vacuuming and spot cleaning at home will help you maintain the rug; however, they won’t remove all soil. Natural fibres are a perfect breeding ground for various types of bacteria. Therefore, wool floorings need to be deep cleaned twice a year and even more often – if you have small children or pets. Manufacturers recommend booking a carpet cleaning company rather than using DIY methods to treat your rugs. Professional cleaners use advanced solutions and powerful equipment that remove all the dirt efficiently while causing no damage to the fibres. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you think your carpet could use a good deep clean-up. Our skilled technicians will choose the best products and methods to remove stains and dirt from your beautiful wool rug in no time.