Wool carpets are perhaps some of the most popular types of rugs and carpets in Australian homes, sporting excellent durability and sleek designs for our living spaces.
Knowing how to clean a wool carpet will ensure your wool rugs last as long as possible, look their best at all times, and help you avoid any health issues related to dirty carpets.
The good news is that you only need a few basic household items and some time to transform your home’s woollen area rugs!
Unfortunately, our carpets are prone to accumulating all sorts of dust, dirt, dander, debris, stains and spills! Dirty carpets and rugs can really take that freshness away from our living spaces so wool carpet cleaning is essential for any homeowner looking to enhance their cleaning efforts.
In today’s guide, we’ll give you our top tips and tricks for how to clean a wool carpet at home so you can enjoy cleaner and fresher moments in your household. We will also give you a few tips for regularly maintaining your carpets and preventative measures you can take to keep them cleaner for longer.
Let’s dive into it!
Tips for Regularly Maintaining Clean Wool Carpets
While regularly cleaning your carpets is a great way to keep them looking and smelling their best, there are some specific things you can do that may help keep your rugs even cleaner!
- Try to avoid wearing shoes indoors by introducing a “no shoes inside” policy.
- Hiring a professional carpet cleaner is often the best way to clean wool carpet.
- For a quick spruce in between carpet cleanings, you can use dry carpet shampoo formulated for wool carpets.
- Rotate your carpets and rugs seasonally to prevent any excessive wear patterns and uneven fading from sunlight.
- Steam cleaning your wool carpets and rugs once annually is a great way to remove dirt and debris from deep within the carpet pile.
- Regular vacuuming is often the best way to maintain wool carpets. Try to vacuum at least once or twice a week using soft bristles, the upholstery attachment, and a beater bar set to a gentle height.
- Regularly move and rotate furniture on the carpets to prevent permanent indentations or uneven wear.
- Use doormats at all major entrances to your home to trap dirt and moisture before it can reach your wollen goods.
- Attend to any spills and stains immediately by following our quick guide below.
- If you have pets, try to regularly groom them to avoid excess hair and pet dirt from reaching your carpets and rugs.
Dealing with Stains and Spills on Wool Carpets
Stain removal is a crucial part of wool carpet cleaning and wool carpet care. Spills, beverage stains, and muddy footprints can happen often, and promptly treating them is the best step you can take to protect your wool rugs.
Some stains may require more detailed care but when looking at your everyday spills, here are a few useful tips!
- Never rub a fresh stain deeper into the carpet. Start by picking up any solids then blot the stain with paper towels or a cloth or sponge using plain warm water. Rubbing will only push the stains deeper into the carpet fibres.
- If you’re dealing with mud, it’s best to allow the fresh mud to dry first before cleaning it up. Dry mud stains are far easier to remove using a dull-edged tool along with a good vacuum to suck up the crumbly soil.
- If you want to use a stain remover, it’s always best to dab the cleaning solution onto a clean white cloth and not pour it directly onto the carpet. We would also recommend first testing the solution on a small area of your carpet to ensure it’s not causing any damage or discolouration.
- Always be as gentle as possible when working with stain remover. Gently blot the stain remover rather than working it into the carpet fibres. Use a stain remover made for wool carpets and rugs. Some dishwashing liquid and warm water is a great homemade solution!
- Never use chlorine bleach, ammonia, or oxygen bleach on a wool carpet. These strong chemicals often cause colours to bleed or disappear entirely.
- Baking soda is a great choice to clean stains from wool carpets because it will help lift the stains from the fibres while also neutralising odours. Sprinkle some over the affected area, leave it to rest for about an hour, then vacuum it up! Repeat as needed until the stain is removed.
Dealing with Pet Stains and Odours
Pet accidents happen. Whether it’s urine, vomit, or feces, pets can cause some damage to our beloved wool carpets and rugs. For fresh accidents, it’s best to blot the area right away using a clean white cloth or paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.
Then, mix a cleaning solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the affected area then blot again using a clean cloth. Rinse the area with clean water then blot dry again.
Older pet stains may need a specialised enzyme-based cleaner formulated for pet stains. Follow the product instructions and consider testing on an inconspicuous area first.
For stubborn odours, sprinkle some baking soda over the area after you’ve cleaned it. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes to an hour to work into the carpet fibres, then vacuum the remaining baking soda up.
Tools and Supplies for Wool Carpet Cleaning
As we’ve mentioned, you only need a few basic household items and some time to give your wool carpets a good clean! The process can take up to a day in total but it will certainly be worth it when your floors are sparkling and smelling great again.
Here are the items and supplies you’ll need:
- A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment and/or beater bar.
- A broom or soft-bristled brush.
- A bucket and spray bottle.
- A sponge or two.
- A few old white towels or clothes.
- Cool to lukewarm water.
- A wool carpet shampoo or similar mild detergent like dish soap.
- White vinegar and baking soda for pet stains and odours.
How to Clean a Wool Carpet: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Prepare Your Cleaning Kit
Start by prepping your cleaning kit. Get the items and products you’ll need to clean your carpets together and place them in a convenient spot for you to easily access as you go about the cleaning.
We recommend choosing a sunny day with little wind to deep clean wool carpets and rugs.
Shake Out Your Carpet
Once your cleaning kit is ready, you can start by taking your carpet outside and hanging it over a sturdy clothing line, railing, or a few strong chairs. Using a broom, rug beater, or tennis racket, beat your carpet thoroughly to loosen and remove embedded dust and dirt.
If your carpet has a rug pad, be sure to shake that out and clean the flooring that lies under your carpets too.
Vacuum Your Carpet
Place a plastic tarp on a clean surface outside or somewhere in the house, then lay the carpet down the wrong side up. Give the bottom of your carpet a good vacuum then turn it over and vacuum the top side well.
Repeat as needed until your carpet has been thoroughly vacuumed and you’ve removed as much dirt and debris as possible.
Start Your Deep Clean
Your carpet is now ready to be deep cleaned! Prepare your desired cleaning solution by mixing it in a bucket filled with cool water. This could be a wool carpet shampoo or a mild detergent solution like dish soap and a few drops of white vinegar.
Be sure to first test the solution on a small area of the carpet to ensure it’s not causing the colours to run. Using a sponge or soft cloth, dip into the mixture, rinse, then lightly scrub your carpet, starting at one end and working towards the other.
Rinse the sponge or cloth frequently to avoid making the carpet fibres too wet. Once the entire carpet has been scrubbed, blot the surface area with old towels to remove excess moisture.
Rinse and Remove Excess Moisture
After scrubbing, you’ll want to fill your bucket with clean plain water. Repeat the scrubbing process using a clean sponge or cloth to rinse the carpet and remove excess cleaning solution. Then, blot the carpet dry again using old towels.
Spot Treat Odours and Stubborn Stains
If you have any stubborn stains or odours to spot treat, now is the best time to do so. That could mean sprinkling some baking soda on problem areas or intensively treating stubborn stains with a targeted stain remover.
Allow the solution to sit for about 30 minutes then rinse and blot dry again.
Allow Your Carpet to Dry
Once fully cleaned, you’ll need to allow your carpet to dry completely. This is best achieved by hanging it or elevating it. If possible, place the carpet outside in the sun. UV rays will naturally disinfect and deodourise drying carpets and rugs.
If you don’t have access to the outdoors, place the carpet in a well-ventilated room inside and flip it regularly until dry. A vacuum can also help with the drying process.
Finishing Up
Once your carpet is completely dry, you can place it back on the rug pad and move it back to its original position indoors. If you like, you can finish off by spraying a carpet refresher spray but this is completely optional.
Finish up by lightly running a soft brush over the carpet to reinvigorate the fibres, allowing the carpet to look fresh and smell clean again!
Caring for Different Types of Wool Carpets
Wool carpets come in two main types – loop pile and cut pile. Each type will require different vacuuming techniques to ensure no damage is caused.
Loop Pile Carpets
Loop pile carpets should be vacuumed using a straightforward vacuum head. Avoid using turbo or spinning attachments because these can cause frizzing and damage to the pile. Try to also avoid using excessive force when vacuuming loop pile carpets.
Cut Pile Carpets
Use a simple suction head to vacuum cut pile carpets. You can occasionally use a rotating brush head to reach dirt trapped deep within the pile but you should still try to avoid using excessive pressure as this can compromise the tailored appearance of the cut pile carpet.
How to Clean a Wool Carpet: FAQs
Can you steam clean a 100% wool carpet?
Most wool carpets respond well to steam cleaning because the moisture from steam allows the carpet fibres to swell, releasing trapped dirt and debris.
The trick is not to steam clean your wool rugs too regularly as this can cause unwanted damage. It is best to steam-clean wool carpet fibres only once a year for the best results.
How do I make my wool carpet fluffy again?
Once you’ve deep-cleaned your carpets, you may notice the pile becoming squished and compacted. This is normal and easily fixable.
Use a wide-toothed comb or a stiff-bristled brush to gently run over the wool fibers, working in sections to untangle and separate the fibres again. This will give your carpet or rug a fluffier appearance again.
Can I use vinegar to clean a wool carpet?
White vinegar is a common household cleaning agent that is moderately gentle on most materials, including wool. Vinegar is great for dealing with food and pet stains since it neutralises strong odours particularly well. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water for the best results.
What is the best way to clean a wool carpet?
Apart from regularly cleaning, shaking out your rugs, and vacuuming them, you can use a few household items to perform a deeper clean. Baking soda is good for a quick, moisture-free refresh for carpets, white vinegar is ideal for removing odours, and water can be used for light spills.
Alternatively, many excellent commercial wool wash detergents and shampoos are available that are specially formulated for wool carpet cleaning. However, the best way to clean a wool carpet is to hire a professional cleaner.
Can you sprinkle baking soda on a wool carpet?
Baking soda can be sprinkled onto carpets to help eliminate foul odours after they’ve been cleaned. However, it won’t do much in terms of actual cleaning.
Baking soda can also be useful for removing excess moisture after carpets and rugs have been deep cleaned. Sprinkle then leave for about an hour for the best results.
Should I use hot or cold water to clean a wool carpet?
Only cold to lukewarm water should be used when cleaning wool carpets. Hot water can cause colours to bleed in wool because they are usually made with natural dies that are sensitive to hot liquids.
How do I stop my wool carpet from fading?
Fading can cause wool carpets to lose their impact in our living spaces, often leading to dulled colours, reduced textures, and distorted patterns.
To prevent your wool carpets and rugs from fading, you should aim to minimise their exposure to direct sunlight by placing them away from bright windows or using window coverings or UV-protective films.
You can also regularly rotate furniture and carpets to allow light to evenly distribute exposure to prevent uneven fading patterns.
How much water should I use when cleaning my wool carpets?
While wool carpets can be cleaned with water, the trick is to avoid using excessive moisture. Use a low-moisture or dry-cleaning method to prevent shrinkage or colour bleeding.
Steam cleaning is also a great way to deeply clean wool textiles!
Call Myer Carpet Cleaning Today
We at Myer Carpet Cleaning understand that life can get hectic and it can be difficult to stay on top of everything. With more than 10 years of experience servicing Australian businesses and homes, we strive to lend a helping hand by offering a full suite of premium steam cleaning solutions for any space!
Our friendly and professional teams are ready to assist with any cleaning services you need across Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. Our approach guarantees 100% customer satisfaction and our products are environmentally friendly and non-toxic!
Contact us today to chat with one of our professional technicians or book your next cleaning service online in just a few steps.
We’re delighted to help with your cleaning needs so you can enjoy what really matters!
Wrapping Up Our How to Clean a Wool Carpet Guide
So, there you have it, the best way to clean a wool carpet or wool rug at home!
The extent of your deep cleaning will depend on how many carpets you have and how much TLC is needed, but overall, wool carpet cleaning doesn’t have to require a heavy time investment.
While light stains and spills can easily be treated at home, more stubborn stains will require more professional equipment and cleaning solutions. That’s where we can help!
For all your residential and commercial cleaning needs across Australia, contact Myer Carpet Cleaning today, our friendly and professional technicians are ready to assist you!
Now that you know how to clean a wool carpet at home, we hope you enjoy fresher living spaces and cleaner carpets!