Wool carpet and area rugs are the most luxurious, long lasting carpets you can buy. Like clothing, the symbol of wool carries associations with luxury, style, warmth and quality. It has many superior properties that most people aren’t aware of. Wool carpet is not just carpet, it is good for you, good for your home and good for the environment.
Examples of these traits are:
- It is the most durable carpet you can buy. The structure of wool is shaped like scales or roofing shingles. This composition allows dirt to sit closer to the surface so it can be removed more easily simply by vacuuming.
- It is crush proof so no amount of foot traffic or the weight of furniture will compromise the structure of the product.
- It is naturally resilient. Its natural elasticity helps it bounce back like with a spring like quality.
- The surface of a wool fiber is covered by a thin protective membrane which gives wool its ability to shed water preventing it from absorbing into the fiber. Since most stains are water based wools natural protection gives you an advantage over other carpets. The natural water repelling characteristics also allow the carpet to retain moisture making it resist static electricity.
- The high moisture content of wool also makes it fire retardant. Wool fibers do not support combustion so it is difficult to ignite and is self-extinguishable. This is great peace of mind for homes with smokers or frequent use of candles.
- The moisture of wool also makes it a natural humidifier.
- Wool carpet that is well maintained absorbs dirt, airborne dust particles, fumes and noise. It even makes the indoor environment more hygienic.
A brand to look at for quality assurance is Wools of New Zealand. Carpets wearing this brand have undergone over 20 stringent tests for fiber content, appearance retention, color-fastness and appropriate environmental performance. New Zealand Wool is known also to be the whitest, cleanest wool in the world. The importance of wool being whiter is that is has the ability to accept dye better giving you endless choices for color range and pattern diversity. Because of wool’s chemical structure, it locks in color for superior color fastness.
Environmentally Friendly
Another reason to use New Zealand Wool is that it is one of the purest, most ecological fibers in the world meeting the highest quality and environmental standards. The wool is biodegradable as well as a renewable resource. Only environmentally responsible production methods are used. New Zealand wool is scoured using the most energy and water-efficient system in the world. Steps are taken to ensure that the land will nurture this natural fiber for generations to come.
Another environmental step taken is that no internationally banned pesticides are used on New Zealand sheep farms. Since 1993, pesticide methods have changed making New Zealand’s sheep industry one the worlds greenest animal production systems. Wool is energy efficient because it uses between 1/3 and 1/6 the energy required to product polypropylene or nylon fibers. Because wool is such a good insulator, it helps save on heating costs!
A common myth is that wool carpets can cause moth infestations in the home. Because wool is a natural product, it does provide an attraction to moths. Don’t worry, the carpet is all treated with a safe moth resistant agent!
Installation tips
When purchasing wool products it is best to choose a high quality carpet cushion because of the expected longevity of the carpet. A good quality pad will feel better underfoot. That in combination with the luxurious feel of wool under your feet will leave you with a feeling of satisfaction! Because of the quality and the expense of wool carpet, it is best to choose a highly qualified installer that has experience installing wool carpet. It is safe to use radiant heating with wool carpeting, with an experienced installer.
Maintenance
Wool maintenance might be easier than you think. With wool’s unique and complex fiber structure it releases soil up to 25% more readily than synthetic carpet. Not only that, its scaly outer structure holds soil high on the pile, right where the vacuum can lift it out quickly and easily.
To maintain wool carpet or area rugs:
- Clean on a regular basis rather than only when the carpet is soiled. This actually extends the life of the product.
- Spills should be treated quickly by blotting liquids with white paper towels or cloths.
- Apply a small amount of recommended spot removal treatment to the cloth or paper towel and not directly to the spot. Do not over saturate the carpet.
- Always work inwards from the edge of the spot to prevent the stain from spreading.
- Do not rub the spot because this can spread the spot or distort the carpet pile.
- Finally, blot the area with a clean towel and get it as dry as you can.
- Don’t use stain protectors with silicone because they can actually attract soil.
- If a candle or cigarette is dropped or embers from the fireplace fall onto a wool carpet, the char marks are easily removed by brushing them away. The appearance of the carpet will not be effected.
- Always pre-test cleaning solutions in an inconspicuous area.
- Wool rugs should be cleaned by professionals to protect your investment.
Different types of stains have different methods of treatment. It is important to treat each stain with the proper cleaning agent. For more specific information on how to treat individual stains, click here.
If your budget doesn’t permit 100% wool, wool blends are an option for a beautiful, soft and durable look. Wool is a solid investment that has a higher upfront cost, but in a lifetime, can save you the time, money and headaches of moving furniture and replacing a synthetic carpet!
Remember the days when your choices for flooring were carpet, wood, vinyl and tile? Then came along bamboo and cork and that was really branching out? Recently, I did a post on floors made from peach pits. Now, I am happy to have discovered tiles made from coconuts!
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