How to clean a wool carpet

Wool carpets are sturdy, durable and generally quite easy to care for! Soft to touch, the fibres are naturally more stain–resistant than synthetic carpets. This means that most stains can be removed with water or spot-cleaning spray.

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Maintaining your wool carpet

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Regular vacuuming is the best way to keep your carpet feeling fresh, increase its lifespan, and maintain its hygiene. Hoovering the carpet regularly and tending to new stains is key to keeping a clean and healthy wool carpet for years to come.

Deep cleaning, shampooing, and steaming should also be carried out by certified carpet cleaners every 12-18 months. They will use hot water extraction or dry carpet cleaning techniques to remove lingering dirt.

Depending on the pile, blend, and colour of your carpet, additional general maintenance can be carried out.  

Pure wool or a blend of natural and synthetic fibres can affect the way stains should be treated. Always check the care instructions or information of your carpet or rug.

If your wool carpet is dyed, understand which chemicals can be used to treat stains without damaging the carpet. Keeping the carpet out of direct sunlight will also help maintain its gorgeous colour.

Shaggy carpets and rugs require a little more attention. Whilst soft and indulgent to the touch, the long and floppy pile can collect dirt and debris easier than your typical carpet or rug. Shake the rug outside or hang it up and gently beat with a broom handle to loosen trapped particles. For shaggy carpets that can’t be taken outside, remove any large pieces of debris with your hands, then gently brush the rug before hoovering.

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Cleaning different types of stains

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The type of stain will determine the steps you should take to clean it. Depending on whether the stain is dry, wet, or sticky will affect your approach to removing stains from the carpet.

With most carpet stains, a gentle hoover followed by blotting the area with water or cleaning solution should do the trick. Here are some steps you can take depending on the type of stain.

Cleaning Dirt and dust from a Wool Carpet

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Dirt and grit from soles and paws can fall onto the carpet - particularly in high traffic areas of your house! Over time, this dirt can ruin the natural material.  

Dry stains are fairly simple to remove if you act quickly. The less time the particles have to infiltrate the carpet, the better chance you have of lifting them.

Using a vacuum cleaner with soft bristles will help to suck up dirt and dust. This will lift the particles from the fibres and, hopefully, remove most of the mark!

If stubborn patches of dirt are left on the carpet, use a cleaning solution made specifically for wool carpets and spot clean the area. Dip a clean cloth into the solution, and gently blot the area until the stain has lifted.

Clearing up Spills on a Wool Carpet

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Wool naturally deters liquid from soaking too deep into its fibres. However, over time, moisture can be absorbed by them if the wool stays wet. The longer the wet stain is left, the more you risk that the spill will soak into the carpet over time.

It is important to absorb spills as quickly as possible. Use paper towels or a clean cloth to dab the wet area of the carpet, absorbing as much of the liquid as you can. If a wine, coffee, tea, or juice stain has discoloured the carpet, you may need to take some additional steps.  

Drinks Stains on Wool Carpets

Start by spraying some warm water onto the spill and gently blot the stain. Then mix 1 teaspoon of wool detergent, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, and 1 litre of warm water in a bowl.  

Dip a clean cloth into the solution, and lightly dab the stain. Blot again with a little water, staying sure not to over-saturate the area with liquid. Finally, use paper towels to help absorb any last moisture.

Ensure that you leave the area dry once you have finished cleaning. Carpets that remain wet for too long can obtain a smell and become discoloured. Try to air out the room or use a wet vacuum to remove as much liquid as possible.

Pet accidents

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Pets can be the cutest of creatures, but what’s not so lovely is a stinky brown stain on your carpet…

To clean up pet droppings, start by pinching and scraping solids from the carpet surface. Wear gloves or put your hand in a small waste bag and pick up the particles, or use a blunt knife to gently scrape them up. Try to avoid smearing the faeces into the carpet fibres whilst doing so.

Mix 0.5 cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and 0.5 teaspoon of liquid soap together in a bowl. Then use a clean cloth dipped in the solution to lightly blot the area until the stain lifts.

A generous sprinkling of baking soda will absorb the smell from the carpet. Scatter the baking soda onto the affected area, and leave for 30 minutes before hoovering.

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Stubborn stains

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Sticky stains are harder to vacuum since they are driven deeper into the fibres. Stains caused by makeup, rust, oil, crayons, etc can be more difficult to remove.

Use a wool-specific carpet cleaning product in this instance. Carefully use a sponge or cloth over the area to apply the product, dabbing the stain gently to lift the particles.

You can also soak a clean towel or rag with white spirit and lightly blot the stain. Never use bleach, as this will damage and discolour the carpet. Once the stain has been removed, absorb remaining liquid using paper towels. This process may need repeating a couple of times.

If this doesn’t clean the stain, a carpet extraction machine can be used. This will help to gently agitate any trapped particles and remove them from the affected carpet area for disposal. If you do not have access to one of these, carpet cleaning professionals can help.

Professional cleaning services

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Deep cleaning and steaming should be done on an annual basis to maintain freshness of wool carpet.

Stains shouldn’t wait this long! With the help of a professional, you can have your carpet cleaned, stain-free, and good as new.

Apex specialises in carpet cleaning. We use industry leading products to deep clean carpets and can be sure to help no matter the type of fibre or pile.

Get in touch with us today or request a quote to learn how we can help.

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