Caring for your wool carpet
Nothing says luxury and comfort quite like a 100% wool carpet, but in order to keep it looking as good as new, you’ll need to follow a few simple tips.
Vacuum regularly
Whether you vacuum every day or once a week, make sure that you don’t allow dust and dirt to build up in your carpet. The type of vacuum attachment you need to use will depend on the carpet pile, but brush heads are a fairly safe bet for many wool carpets. The exception is loop pile carpets, which should be vacuumed with a regular suction head. It’s important not to brush; dust and dirt can become trapped in the individual tufts of your carpet, and the vacuum needs time to thoroughly clean. High traffic areas such as stairs will need more attention.
Evenly distribute wear
Clearly this will not be possible in areas such as hallways and on stairs, but if you have a wool carpet in a living room or bedroom, try to move furniture around every now and then to prevent the same areas bearing the brunt of the wear. Use floor protectors on the feet of chairs and tables if possible in order to prevent marking or permanent damage from heavy furniture.
Consider professional cleaning
It’s worth investing in professional cleaning every now and then – you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make. Professional carpet cleaners can deep-clean your flooring, making it look as good as new. In addition to dealing with any stains, they will thoroughly clean every inch of your carpet for you, thereby reducing long term wear and tear.
Treat stains immediately
Wool carpets are naturally adept at repelling dirt, but it’s good to know how to treat stains in case of accidents. Old wives’ tales, such as using salt to treat red wine stains, may have worked for you in an emergency in the past, but there are far better ways of dealing with stains these days. In all cases, immediate action is best!
- Soak up as much of the spillage as you can with a clean cloth, sponge or paper towel
- Always work from the outside in to avoid spreading the stain
- Only use cleaning products specifically labelled as suitable for wool carpets, and avoid anything else
- After dealing with the stain, blot the area until it is dry and brush the carpet pile so that it blends back in with the surrounding area