How to Clean Wool Carpets

Wool carpets are often associated with the origin of the carpet industry. Unlike the modern day carpets, made of synthetic and recycled fibers, wool carpets have a traditional bonding and are still in vogue. A wool carpet is durable, has a very soft texture and is flame resistant. The structure of wool fibers helps in retaining dust and other such particles on the surface itself, making it easier to clean, but in some respects, extra care and attention is needed in cleaning a wool carpet. Let us know more about the cleaning and maintenance of wool carpets.

Features of Wool Carpets
The cleaning process depends on the material of the carpet. Even though wool is considered as one of the finest materials for carpets, it has its own disadvantages.

• Most of the solutions available for synthetic carpet cleaning are not suitable for wool carpets. Solutions with bleaching agents and optical brighteners can damage your carpet.
• Another problem related to wool carpets is its moisture retention property. Over wetting can result in delaying the drying process, which may cause shrinking of the carpet. It can also lead to an unpleasant odor.
• This carpet is prone to color change and should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• As in the case of wool garments, wool carpets are also affected by high temperatures. High temperatures can cause shrinking and damage the texture of fibers.

These were some basic features of a wool carpet, knowledge of which would be useful in the cleaning process. Once you are accustomed with the nature and demands of a wool carpet, cleaning it will no more be a daunting task.

General Cleaning
Unlike carpets made of synthetic fibers, soil can be vacuumed from wool carpets very easily. These carpets can be maintained well, with regular vacuuming and cleaning. A vacuum with a rotating beater bar is beneficial in agitating the carpet, which helps in better removal of soil stuck on the surface. The advantage of a vacuum with a rotating beater bar is that it facilitates removal of embedded soil and thereby prevents matting and packing. Vacuuming once a week will do for most carpets, though the ideal would be to do it thrice a week, for better results. If you have enough time, daily vacuuming is the best way to maintain the beauty of your wool carpet. Heavily trafficked areas should vacuumed frequently. The following are some points to be kept in mind while vacuuming:

• Never allow the vacuum bag to get full, as it can affect the efficiency of the machine. Empty the bag before it is half full.
• The belt of the vacuum should be in good condition, so as to allow rotation of the beater, when it comes in contact with the carpet. If you notice a gradual slowing down of rotation, replace the belt.
• The brush of the beater should barely touch the surface, lightly vibrating the carpet. If there is any fuzzing, a more flexible brush should be used.
• Vacuum slowly to remove maximum amount of embedded soil. In case of heavily trafficked areas, vacuum in both directions to prevent matting.

Cleaning Solutions
You must be very cautious in choosing a cleaning solution for a wool carpet. It should be neither too acidic nor too alkaline, as the former may cause breakdown of the fibers or damage the texture, while the latter can cause browning of the fibers. A perfect cleaning solution for wool carpets should have a pH value close to neutral. It should not leave any sticky residue in the carpet, which can attract more dirt. The cleaning solution should not contain any bleach or dye. Select those which are specifically made for wool carpets.

Spilling and Staining
In case of any spill, act quickly and blot it up with a clean cloth or paper towels. Then use a towel dampened with lukewarm water to remove the substance completely. You can replace water with a solution of three parts of water and one part vinegar. This solution will not cause any damage to your carpet, but helps to dilute the stain. Blot the area continuously with dry cloth and never leave any wet spot. Avoid rubbing or scrapping the carpet for stain removal. This can cause breaking down of the fibers. Over wetting is also detrimental to your wool carpet.

Heavy Cleaning
Wool carpets can be maintained by removing dry soil through regular vacuum cleaning, but it may not remove the oily soil formed by cooking vapors and air pollution. It is very important to thoroughly clean the wool carpets, once every two years. It can be done at your home itself, but the help of professionals may be required for wool-safe dry cleaning. You can also go for dry compound cleaning, which can be done by yourself. In this method, the dry compound is sprinkled over the carpet, agitated well and then vacuumed to remove the compound with the soil and other dirt attached to it. Aerosol foam shampoos are available for cleaning wool carpets. It should be sprayed on the carpet and spread with a brush, before removing it with vacuum. One more method of cleaning wool carpets is called spray extraction cleaning, which is better done by professionals. In this method, a solution of warm water and detergent is injected into the carpet under high pressure, which enables the soil and other dirt to get suspended in the water. Then, immediately a high-suction wet-vacuum system is employed to extract the water.

Cleaning of wool carpets is not such a difficult task. It can be done with a little bit of extra care regarding cleaning solutions, heat, over wetting, etc. Regular vacuuming is the most important point in maintaining your expensive wool carpet for years.