How To Clean Wool / Wool-Blend Carpet
With easy regular care you can protect your investment and keep your carpet looking great for as long as possible.
Stain Removal for Wool / Wool-Blend Carpet
Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery, as stain removal becomes more difficult with time. Most household spills can be easily removed using the steps below.
- First, use a spoon, dull knife, or a carpet cleaning key to remove as much solid material as possible.
- Always work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading, especially with large stains.
- Blot up liquid spills with a clean white towel or paper towel, absorbent cloth, or Absorb-It™. Do not rub.
- Apply spot removal agent only to clean towel or cloth, never directly to the spot. Use small quantities at a time so as not to overwet carpet. Wipe gently and turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub, or use a brush. This can cause the spot to spread, distort the carpet pile, and damage carpet fibers. If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain. Do not oversaturate carpet; use small amounts of solution and blot frequently. Afterward, blot as dry as possible with clean absorbent white towel, then cover with Absorb-It or paper towels and let dry.
Cleaning Agents for Wool / Wool-Blend Spot and Stain Removal
Always pre-test any cleaning agent in an inconspicuous place (e.g., in a closet, corner of the room, or under a piece of furniture) to ensure that it does not remove color.
Detergent Solution
Mix 1 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing liquid or detergent powder (should NOT contain any bleaches or strong alkalies) with 1 cup warm (not hot) water. Apply as described in above steps. Rinse well.
WoolClean Spot Remover #1
WoolClean Spot Remover #1, part of the WoolClean Carpet Spot Removal Kit, cleans water-based spills and spots. Use according to directions on package.
Absorbent Cleaners
Host®, Capture®, and Dri-Matic® absorbent powders can be used on wool carpet. They are available from local home centers, independent distributors, carpet retailers, online websites, and vacuum dealers.
Warnings
All chemicals should be used with great care and strictly in accordance with use and safety instructions on package, as some are hazardous (corrosive, flammable, toxic, etc.). Only use Dry Spot Remover #2 (for greasy spots on carpet) or other solvent-containing products in well-ventilated work areas. Do NOT apply these products to bonded carpets (carpets that are not tufted or woven but instead have the pile bonded to the backing). Do not use any stain-repellent treatments that contain silicone. These can accelerate carpet soiling. Some carpet manufacturers will not accept responsibility for problems in situations where such treatments have been used.
Regular Vacuuming
Most dirt, and even dust, takes the form of hard, dry particles which can be removed with a vacuum cleaner. When left in the carpet, these gritty, sharp particles abrade the pile of the carpet. Regular vacuuming extends your carpet’s life as well as enhancing its appearance, so the type of vacuum cleaner you use is important.
A vacuum’s performance will vary based on the carpet’s fiber type and construction. A good vacuum typically has features that allow you to adjust the height, beater bar rotation, and fan speed. Vacuums with large wheels, self-propelled vacuums, and specialty tools can also help ensure easy and effective carpet maintenance.
Features
Adjustable height is the most important feature because this enables the machine to be used on a wide variety of carpet constructions. If your vacuum is set too high above the carpet surface, the vacuum can’t attract the gritty soil below. If the setting is too low, the vacuum’s beater bar or brushes can “fuzz” the carpet’s surface, causing it to look worn and frayed. When vacuuming high-pile, wool, wool-blend, and premium soft carpets, look for the following features that will allow you to easily maintain your carpet:
Adjustable Height
Use the highest setting where appropriate.
Efficient Airflow
Avoid vacuums with very concentrated or sealed suction.
Large Wheels
Vacuum should glide easily across the carpet. When vacuuming thick-loop, casual-frieze, or long-pile carpets, such as “shag,” you may need to completely disengage the beater bar and vacuum with suction only. For all other carpet constructions not mentioned above, use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar. Change the bags often and check the beater bars for burs and gouges to prevent damage to the surface of the carpet.
Cleaning Recommendations
Vacuum high-traffic areas daily, medium-to-high traffic areas twice weekly, and the entire house at least once per week.
Even with regular vacuuming, soil particles and oily dirt will cling to carpet fibers. Foot traffic drives these particles and dirt deep into the carpet. Godfrey Hirst requires professional hot water extraction every 18 months. Periodic cleaning by carpet-care professionals using the hot water extraction method will refresh carpet appearance. Wool / wool-blend carpets should be professionally cleaned by a wool-care specialist certified by the Restoration Industry Association, or RIA (formerly the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, or ASCR).
The most-used areas — entrances, doorways, traffic lanes, and in front of chairs—will collect dirt faster than other areas. Clean these areas as soon as they begin to show soil. This will stop dirt from spreading and will extend the time between professional cleanings. Clean high-use areas on wool / wool blend carpets periodically with absorbent powders such as Host®, Capture®, and Dri-Matic®.