| A wool carpet should last longer and retain its beauty | | | | Protect your investment by taking special care to |
| and resiliency for many years with proper care and | | | | place mats in areas where dirt, street grime and mud |
| maintenance. Since wool is a natural fiber, it repels | | | | will be tracked in. Regularly clean these mats so that |
| soiling by keeping dirt and dust close to the pile surface | | | | they don't become an additional source of grime. |
| where it can be swept up by frequent vacuuming. | | | | Spot Removal |
| Wool stains easily and permanently if the stains are | | | | · Take care to act quickly when an accident occurs |
| not removed quickly, thoroughly and with proper | | | | since staining can be permanent. |
| cleaning products. | | | | · Spot clean with wool safe products. Never use |
| Extend your carpet's life by having a professional | | | | bleach (causes wool to dissolve) or products with a |
| clean it every 1-2 years instead of waiting until it is | | | | high PH. Over wetting and using high PH products, |
| over-soiled. High temperatures and excess water will | | | | usually found in over the counter products, can also |
| shrink a wool carpet and a cleaning agent with an | | | | cause yellowing and browning. A PH between 4.5 and |
| alkaline Ph level can permanently brown it. A | | | | 7 is safest. |
| professional will eliminate the possibility of permanent | | | | · Different types of spills require different cleaning |
| damage from improper cleaning. | | | | agents but an all-purpose combination recommended |
| An oriental rug, especially one hundreds of years old, | | | | by a few manufacturers consists of a teaspoon of |
| requires special handling because its natural dyes are | | | | Woolite combined with a teaspoon of white vinegar |
| prone to bleeding. A good maintenance schedule for | | | | and a quart of warm water. Another safe alternative |
| your wool carpet should include: | | | | is to use a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. |
| 1. Regular Vacuuming | | | | When a spill occurs, |
| 2. Preventive maintenance by use of mats in heavily | | | | 1. Blot with white paper towels. |
| trafficked areas | | | | 2. Apply SMALL quantities of the cleaning agent to the |
| 3. Removing spills quickly | | | | towel or cloth (not the carpet) and BLOT, don't rub, |
| 4. Professional periodic cleaning | | | | working your way from the edge of the spot inward. |
| Vacuuming: | | | | Hopefully you have pre-tested the agent on a fairly |
| · Vacuum often and thoroughly, especially in heavily | | | | unobtrusive area of your rug long before the accident |
| trafficked areas, to remove dirt and dust at the | | | | has occurred. |
| surface of the pile before it has a chance to become | | | | 3. Rinse with lukewarm water and don't over-wet. Use |
| embedded. | | | | a clean cloth and work from the spill edge to the |
| · Vacuuming tips include: | | | | center. |
| · Vacuum slowly to allow the vacuum cleaner to | | | | 4. Remove excess moisture by applying pressure with |
| remove as much soil as possible | | | | paper towels or absorbent cloth or use a fan. |
| . Empty the vacuum bag often, preferably when it is | | | | 5. After the area has dried, restore the pile texture by |
| about half full | | | | brushing lightly with your hand. |
| · Use a vacuum with a rotating beater bar/brush for | | | | Professional Care |
| cut pile. Be sure the brushes barely touch the carpet | | | | Even with regular vacuuming, particles of soil, dust and |
| and do not slow the motor. Replace worn belts when | | | | grime will accumulate causing dulling and intermittent |
| you notice rotation gradually slowing over time. If you | | | | cleaning (every 2 years) by a professional. It is worth |
| see fuzzing, you probably need to replace your brush | | | | time and money to fully investigate references to |
| with something more flexible. | | | | ensure your cleaner is experienced with wool carpets. |
| · Replace worn belts when you notice rotation | | | | It is important that they know that substances suitable |
| slowing | | | | for other fabrics will not work with wool and could |
| · Vacuum in both directions of the traffic pattern | | | | damage your carpet. |
| Protect Heavily Trafficked Areas | | | | |