How to Professionally Clean Wool Carpets and Rugs

Wool carpets and rugs can be a great investment for your home as long as you take care of it properly. Since wool is thicker than most carpet or rug materials, it locks in more dirt and debris. However, wool rugs do introduce some unique cleaning concerns compared to cleaning regular, synthetic wall-to-wall wool carpet.

What Is a Wool Carpet?

A wool carpet or rug is made from natural fibers obtained from sheep's wool.

Wool is one of the most durable and resilient materials for flooring, known for its softness, natural insulation properties, and ability to resist wear and tear. Wool carpets are naturally flame-resistant, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly, often lasting longer than synthetic options.

Additionally, wool has excellent stain resistance due to its natural oils, though it can still absorb some liquids if spills aren't addressed quickly.

Wool rugs and carpets are a premium choice for adding warmth, comfort, and luxury to a room, as they generally cost more than synthetic options.

How Long Does a Wool Carpet Last?

A wool carpet or rug can last 20 to 30 years or even longer with proper care, which is generally longer than most carpets last.

Several factors affect its lifespan, including:

• Traffic levels: Wool carpets in high-traffic areas may show wear faster, while those in low-traffic areas can last much longer.
• Maintenance: Regular vacuuming and professional carpet cleaning help extend the life of wool carpets by preventing dirt and debris from damaging the fibers.
• Quality: Higher-quality wool carpets are more durable and can last decades without showing significant signs of aging.
• Care: Promptly cleaning spills and preventing moisture buildup helps avoid staining or mold, which can reduce longevity. With the right maintenance, a wool carpet can remain in excellent condition for many years.

Pros and Cons of Wool Carpet and Rugs

• Pro: Wool responds very well to cleaning. The moisture makes the fibers swell which allows the release of dirt.

• Pro: Wool is fire safe! Due to wool being a natural flame retardant and higher ignition temperature, wool carpet and rugs are a lot safer than most of the other types of carpets.

• Pro: Wool is very absorbent and reacts well with dye techniques.

• Pro: Wool is naturally stain resistant. Wool protects sheep from the natural elements, and so it will protect your carpet from those small spills and accidents that are bound to happen.

• Pro: The natural crimp makes wool an excellent insulator.

• Con: Wool is very sensitive to chemicals, mostly those that are found in cleaners (but not in Zerorez®!). These chemicals can cause discoloration and also cause the wool to become brittle. In order to clean wool effectively you will need to use a water-based cleaning solution.

How to Clean Wool Carpets and Rugs

When it comes to regular care and maintenance of wool rugs and carpets, the following tips are important to follow:

• Vacuum at least once a week, but make sure the height of the brush is set on "High" to make sure you don't agitate the wool fibers.
• Clean up spills immediately. For best results, blot up as much as possible with an absorbent white towel, rinse with cold water and dry immediately with a towel or cold air fan.
• Avoid high alkaline cleaners and harsh chemicals. You want to select wool-safe or pH-neutral cleaners as these can damage the wool carpet's fibers.
• Do not use hot water to clean wool carpets or rugs for this will cause it to smell like "wet dog".
• Do not rub or scrub when cleaning as this might cause permanent damage to the wool fibers.
• Have your wool carpets cleaned professionally at least once a year. It is important to make sure that the professional has the right training, if not then they can cause serious damage to your wool carpet and rugs.

Professional Wool Carpet Cleaners

The WoolSafe Organization has run an international certification program for professional and consumer carpet maintenance products since 1991. Products are independently tested to WoolSafe Standard WS 1001 and those that meet the performance requirements are issued with a Certificate.

All products currently approved are subject to annual re-evaluation to ensure they continue to meet the WoolSafe requirements. Testing and certification is carried out at the head office in England.

Some Zerorez locations (like Boise and Tuscon) are WoolSafe Certified Service Provider to clean wool carpet with our Zr™ Water. We follow the international cleaning standard so your warranties for wool carpet will be maintained.

How Much Does It Cost to Professionally Clean a Wool Rug?

The cost to clean a wool rug typically ranges from $3 to $8 per square foot, depending on several factors:

1. Size of the Wool Rug

Small rugs may cost between $60 and $150. Larger or oversized wool rugs could cost anywhere from $200 to $600 or more, depending on the area and who you hire.

2. Type of Cleaning

In-home cleaning usually costs less, but some cleaners may not recommend this for wool due to the need for controlled drying.

Off-site cleaning is more thorough and often recommended for wool rugs. This involves transporting the rug to a facility, which can increase costs.

3. Additional Cleaning Services

Specialized treatments for stains, odors, or pet damage may cost extra, typically around $10 to $50 per stain.

If the rug needs repair, patching, or fringe work, it can add substantial costs.

4. Location

Prices can vary by region. Urban areas or areas with higher living costs may have higher cleaning rates.

5. Cleaning Method

Dry cleaning costs tend to be on the lower end but may not be as thorough as wet cleaning. Hand washing or deep cleaning is often used for high-end wool rugs and can be more expensive due to the delicate nature of the process.

6. Rug Condition

If the rug is heavily soiled, it may require additional cleaning or more intensive treatments, which can raise the cost.

For an accurate price, it's best to get a quote from a professional rug cleaner, as factors like the rug's age, condition, and level of soiling will influence the total cost.

How Does Zerorez Clean Wool Carpets?

Even if a specific Zerorez location is not WoolSafe Certified, Zerorez works hard to ensure your wool carpets are protected, as we understand they are an important, and expensive, investment in your home. To ensure our cleaning process doesn't damage your wool rug or carpet, we do the following:

1. We Lower the Temperature of the Water. Your heat should be turned down, not to exceed 150°F, as you can "cook" the fiber causing the epidermis to become brittle and eventually break off.
2. No Aggressive Agitation. We use the softest brushes and do not over agitate. A process called felting can occur with alkalinity, heat and/or agitation. Felting is where the outer scales of the wool fiber interlock with the surrounding scales of other wool fibers and become entangled. This condition is permanent and cannot be corrected.
3. We Increase Dry Strokes and Place Fans Immediately. Due to wool's high absorbance of moisture it takes longer to dry than other fiber types. Additional dry strokes and using your fan will aid in shortening this.
4. We check the back of the carpet prior to cleaning. A recent trend by wool carpet manufacturers is a resurgence of jute backings. Using natural materials such as jute will increase the chance of cellulosic browning or yellowing and shrinking. We check the carpet or rug's label or back to know if this will be a concern. If there is no jute (or other cellulosic) used, browning will not occur.

Give us a call or book your service online to have your wool carpets and rugs professionally cleaned. We are insured and offer a 30-day Gotta Love It Guarantee®!