A very minor damage seen on carpets is that it gets wrinkled due to the heavy weight of the furniture. To get rid of the crushed fibers of the carpet, sprinkle some water on the crushed area to moisten the surface and then blow dry it with an hair dryer. While blow drying, keep rubbing your hand over the fiber. This will remove the crushes on the carpet. If there is a slight burn or stain on the carpet fiber, you can simply trim the fiber with a pair of scissors or nail clippers. Make sure you do not cut too much of material, as that may look unsightly.
How to Repair a Carpet
If you have a large hole on the carpet, the fixing is not that simple. Repair it patiently, as a hastily done repair work may not yield the desired results. The step-by-step instructions given here, will help make the task easier for you.
Cutting Out the Damaged Portion The texture or the grain of every carpet is different from the other. Brush the carpet in a manner such that the fibers stand up. Then, brush it such that the fibers lay down. This way, you can identify the direction of the grain. Now, remove the damaged section of the carpet with the help of a sharp knife. Do this carefully so that the knife does not run through the underlying carpet pad. An easier method of cutting is to take a circular lid and place it over the hole and cut out the carpet around its edges with a knife.
In many homes carpets serve as a valid part of interior design, so carpet care is a quite called-for topic. In many cases carpets are used for floor covering; while they are warmer, dressier and softer than other kinds of flooring, carpets require more complicated care. So, let us take a look at some useful carpet care tips.
First of all, what carpet care has to be applied depends on what kind of carpet you have got and the material it is made of. It is an interesting fact that the natural material in old carpets require much less care than the modern ones. It is so because they were handmade and tested, washed, dried and pre-shrunk during this process.
But for all types of carpets there is one major universal method of care: cleaning. Even though, as I have mentioned, cleaning methods also vary depending on the quality and material of the carpet you got, no carpet can go on for years or even months without a good cleaning.
Sometimes when a carpet has no stains on it and its color looks bright, as if it were brand new, one may think there is no need for carpet washing or cleaning. It is a commonly made mistake. All sort of carpets accumulate certain measure of dust and moisture in them, which becomes a good dwelling place for bacteria and mold. These things can ruin your carpet from inside out as well as your health.
So, a good remedy especially for natural fabric carpets, such as wool, would be light dust beating given it every few months. It is best to take your carpet outside, turn it the other way around and lightly beat on it. Ground or snow is the best option for such beating. Try to avoid hanging your carpet on a fence, because this way you overstretch and overstrain its grains of fabric and ruin it.
If you feel like your carpet color is growing dim, but you cannot give it such a carpet care as outdoor washing or cleaning, you can clean and restore its color right in your living room without using any chemical detergents for it.
It is important to make sure that your carpet is kept as clean as possible between major cleanings. Whether you call in a professional service every six months or you rent a carpet cleaner yourself, it is important to make sure that the carpet is being well cared for in the meantime.
You want to make sure that you run the upright vacuum every day. In extremely high traffic areas, you might want to run the vacuum a couple times a day. Every few days you want to make sure that you get out the vacuum attachments and get in close to the baseboards.
For small spills of cereal and other tiny messes, having a hand held vacuum ensures that you can quickly and easily take care of the mess before it becomes a serious problem.
Carpets give such a cozy feeling to any home and come in an array of colors and fabrics. They can also cost a pretty penny so it's very important to take care of them and ensure that they are properly cleaned. Also, carpets can hold many germs and allergens, so knowing how to take care of them is imperative.
The first step in carpet care is vacuuming on a regular basis; this will keep dirt from embedding itself deep into the carpet fibers. Vacuuming at least one or twice a week should do it in most cases, however it you have pets, you should vacuum daily or at least every two days if possible. When you vacuum make sure to go slowly so that everything gets picked up. Think of carpets like your lawn. For best results, it's better to vacuum once, slowly in one direction and then again in the opposite direction making like a checkerboard effect.
The best type of vacuum to use is one that uses water instead of dirty filters. The water sucks in the dirt and does not spit it back out into the air. Another good way to keep your carpets clean is with steam. You can purchase great carpet steamers at affordable prices if you shop around. It's a good idea to have your carpets professionally cleaned once or twice per year.
Carpeting is often one of the most prominent elements in a home. When cared for properly, carpeting can add warmth, comfort, and decorative ambience to a living space for many years. However, when carpeting is cared for improperly, it can detract from the appearance of an otherwise beautiful home. More important than that, poorly maintained carpeting can also pose some fairly major health risks to those who are exposed to it on a regular basis.
What Is Mold and How Does It Spread?
One of the most unfortunate consequences of poor carpet care is mold. Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on almost any surface, living or inanimate. The reproductive cells that a mold emits---spores---are what enable the fungus to spread. Spores travel through the air, attaching themselves to people, pets, and whatever else crosses their path. Once inside a home, they can settle throughout the living space. They sometimes settle on the carpeting.
Carpets are not confined to a particular country or culture. They are popular across the globe for their ability to adorn the house. However, carpets are prone to get dirty and require proper care and maintenance. Spilled drinks and food items cause stains and smears on the carpet surface. Moreover, dust and other tiny substances get adhered to carpet fibers on a daily basis, not only leading to dust accumulation, but also resulting in mold and mildew formation. Filthy carpets not only look and smell unpleasant, but also aggravate allergies. Vacuum cleaners suck out most of the dirt and dust, however, they do not clean the carpet completely. To remove the oil stains and dirt surpassed by the vacuum, the carpet must be steam cleaned.
According to cleaning research, a 'steam and very high temperature water system provides the most desirable results'. Steam cleaning means the blasting out of dirt and mold from dirty areas. The high temperature and pressure involved in steam cleaning causes the dirt and mold to separate forcefully from the carpet. The dirt after being forcefully separated from the carpet is sucked first into a powerful vacuum and then a holding tank. In case of vacuum cleaners, this facility is not available, hence only the surface dirt gets removed, leaving the oil stains still on the carpet.
Steam cleaning is the best method of carpet cleaning. For people suffering from asthma and allergies, steam cleaning is very appropriate. Steam cleaners freshen up the carpeted area in the house. The device uses a three part process to clean the carpet. The machine first sprays a cleaning solution onto the carpet. A brush then vigorously cleans up the carpet deep into the carpet fibers. And then the vacuum system of the steam cleaner sucks up the dirty solution, which is stored in the reservoir for disposal.
How to Steam Clean Carpets
To steam clean the carpet, one has to ensure that all the furniture has been removed and placed into another room. The carpet area should be free for cleaning.
Once the carpet is furniture free, one should vacuum the carpet with a regular vacuum cleaner in order to remove all the larger particles.
The dirty and oily areas must be treated with some amount of carpet cleaning solution.
When showing a house to potential buyers, you want it to not only look good but smell nice, too. If your house has lingering pet odors, that alone could turn buyers away. One of the first things to handle when doing a home staging project is pet odors. Here's how!
Start at the beginning. Always try to clean up pet messes right away. However, if it's already gotten out of hand, have no fear, for we are here to give you the solution.
For carpeting - First you need to locate the specific problem areas. Sometimes this is easier said than done. If so, a good way to find them is to turn off the lights and use a black-light to illuminate them.
After you've found the spots, clean your carpet. There are a few methods here. You can rent or buy a water-extraction machine or a carpet-shampoo machine and use this with cool water (don't use chemicals or cleaners). Then there's also the usual steam cleaning for non-urine pet odors.
Now that your carpet is clean, put a light coating of an enzyme-based odor neutralizer on it. These are available at pet stores and vets' offices. This is the key step to rid your carpet of smells as these neutralizers contain bacteria that break down the proteins that cause the odors, thus, eliminating them permanently. Neutralizers also help with stains. Baking soda can do the trick, if less effectively.
At this point you can sit back and relax for the next 8 hours while you let it sit. When you wake up from your nap it's time to vacuum! Then wait another 24 hours and see how it is. If there is any remaining odor, simply repeat this treatment. In severe cases you may need to replace your carpeting.
After the expense of putting a carpet into your home, it is a worthwhile to take care of it. Keeping a clean carpet also assures a healthy living environment. Even regular vacuuming alone does not always ensure that your carpet is clean. There are several different ways to care for your carpet.
Vacuuming regularly may not keep carpets perfectly clean but, it does prevent dirt from getting imbedded deep down into the fibers. In a perfect world, those who really care to keep their carpets in the best shape possible would be able to vacuum everyday. But, in the real world, vacuuming a high traffic area at least twice a week is more realistic. For the best results, vacuum slowly over an area going back and forth and side to side in parallel rows about seven strokes for a high traffic area.
But, carpet cleaning goes beyond vacuuming. Shampooing a carpet is a popular method to get carpets clean. A shampoo solution is sprayed onto the carpet which loosens and absorbs deep down dirt. Allow the carpet to dry and then vacuum. Another popular method of carpet cleaning is steam cleaning. This process uses a liquid-based cleaning agent and a steam-cleaning machine which brings dirt to the carpet’s surface.
You can use all the carpet cleaning tips in the world, and guess what? You still probably can't get your carpet as clean on your own as a professional carpet cleaner can. On the other hand, who needs perfection? The tips here will help you get that carpet clean enough.
Heat helps! Above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, every 18 degrees higher changes chemical reactivity by 100%. Hot water extraction cleaning is done between 150 and 200 degrees. Is that too technical? The point is not only that hot water extraction, or "steam cleaning" is far superior to "dry cleaning," but that if you do it yourself, use heat!
Actually, there are three inter-related factors at work when you clean carpet. Heat, Dwell Time, and Agitation. To some extent, if you can't maximize one of them, you can make up for it with the others. In other words, if you can't get the cleaning solution hot enough, let it "dwell" a bit longer in the carpet, and scrub harder.
Secret Carpet Cleaning Tips
Detergent attracts dirt. This is why it's important to rinse out any cleaning solution thoroughly. This is another reason why hot water extraction gets carpet cleaner than the "dry" methods. The bottom line is that you need to rinse well when you clean carpet.
One way to clean stains is with the use of a shop-vac. No, you can't just suck out the stain, but you can repeatedly wash and rinse the area, and suck out the solution each time. This is a more effective method than blotting up the water with cloth, mostly because you won't have the patience to wash, rinse and extract enough times using paper towels or cloth.
Black marks between the carpet and the skirting boards are just nasty. But they can be dealt with effectively with some sealant, some carpet cleaners and elbow grease.
Light coloured carpets make a room nice and cosy. Some people go for stark elegance in a room, so they choose a pristine white carpet to achieve this look. But no matter what kind of look you are trying to get into a room, you would not be successful if you end up having black marks between your carpet and the skirting boards of your room. These black marks under the skirting boards and on light-coloured carpet are just nasty.
What causes these black marks on carpets right under the skirting boards? The culprit that you are looking for is air. Air is everywhere; we all know that. And in houses, air under the flooring can escape through gaps and leave behind it a trail of dirt and dust. Thus, when black marks appear on the carpet directly under the boards, it means there are gaps on the flooring and the wall that is being used as an air vent.
The solution to this dilemma is clearly to fill the gaps that serve as the escape route for air. It is an easy enough solution and all the supplies that you need to buy are some flexible sealants, flexible tape, cedar paper and a carpet knife.
A wool carpet should last longer and retain its beauty and resiliency for many years with proper care and maintenance. Since wool is a natural fiber, it repels soiling by keeping dirt and dust close to the pile surface where it can be swept up by frequent vacuuming. Wool stains easily and permanently if the stains are not removed quickly, thoroughly and with proper cleaning products.
Extend your carpet's life by having a professional clean it every 1-2 years instead of waiting until it is over-soiled. High temperatures and excess water will shrink a wool carpet and a cleaning agent with an alkaline Ph level can permanently brown it. A professional will eliminate the possibility of permanent damage from improper cleaning.
An oriental rug, especially one hundreds of years old, requires special handling because its natural dyes are prone to bleeding. A good maintenance schedule for your wool carpet should include:
1. Regular Vacuuming 2. Preventive maintenance by use of mats in heavily trafficked areas 3. Removing spills quickly 4. Professional periodic cleaning
Vacuuming:
· Vacuum often and thoroughly, especially in heavily trafficked areas, to remove dirt and dust at the surface of the pile before it has a chance to become embedded. · Vacuuming tips include: · Vacuum slowly to allow the vacuum cleaner to remove as much soil as possible
. Empty the vacuum bag often, preferably when it is about half full · Use a vacuum with a rotating beater bar/brush for cut pile. Be sure the brushes barely touch the carpet and do not slow the motor. Replace worn belts when you notice rotation gradually slowing over time. If you see fuzzing, you probably need to replace your brush with something more flexible. · Replace worn belts when you notice rotation slowing · Vacuum in both directions of the traffic pattern
Do you want to try to extend the life of your carpet and rugs as long as possible? Considering the fact that carpeting can be quite costly to install, you certainly want to do everything you can to keep it looking and feeling great for many years. In order to make that happen, make sure to follow these five simple tips.
Tip #1: Vacuum Often
Frequently vacuuming your carpet will help reduce the amount of wear and tear that is caused by dirt. Keep in mind that dirt attracts more dirt, so you can reduce the buildup of grime by vacuuming on a regular basis.
Tip #2: Tackle Stains Right Away
The sooner you address stains, the better you will be able to get them out. In fact, the majority of stains can be removed completely if they are addressed within the first few days after they occur. The longer it stays in the carpet, however, the more difficult it will be to remove.
Tip #3: Don't Overuse Cleaners
Cleaning agents are great for getting out stains, but be certain to not overuse them. Using too much shampoo or detergent will leave residual residue that can't even be removed through thorough vacuuming.
Now, it is a fact that we are in the middle of the largest downturn in our economy in recent memory. Every time you hear the news stocks are falling, people are losing their homes, and countless numbers of people are losing their jobs. Now, more than ever, it is necessary to find as many ways as you can to lower your costs and save money. One way is to protect what you have instead of replacing it.
One of the largest investments you will ever make other than a house is on the carpets and furniture that you put in your home. These items are very costly to replace especially if you are doing so because of neglect. With the proper carpet care and carpet cleaning tips you can maintain the beauty and elegance of your carpets and furniture for many many years.
When you install carpets in your home there are things you can do to maintain the beauty and appearance of your carpets. There are also some phenomenon that occur that have nothing to do with the maintenance and impossible to do anything about. This article will discuss this phenomenon that occurs as well as carpet cleaning tips that you can follow.
Some carpets can suffer from a phenomenon called pile reversal or in some cases called "watermarking". This can happen quite quickly after installation or it might not occur for many years. This occurs when the nap of the carpet changes direction and reflects light at different angles giving the carpet an appearance of light and dark shades depending on the direction of the nap. At the edges of where the pile starts to reverse it gives the carpet an appearance of an ugly jagged line running down the middle. Many institutes have done a lot of research to determine the cause of this and nothing has been successful to date. There is no known manufacturing process which can cure this problem and as a result it is not covered under your warranty.
Many carpets shortly after installation will shed loose fibers. This is normal and will reduce with regular vacuuming. You will find that after a year there will be very little shedding in your carpets provided you have followed proper maintenance tips. Occasionally you will find sprouting will occur in your carpets which is a single tuft that extends beyond the carpet's surface. When this happens do not pull it out but just clip it. Also in some situations your carpets will start to wrinkle and develop ripples. The solution for this is to have an installer restretch the carpet to prevent any damage from occurring along the wrinkles. This sometimes occurs because of high humidity, sliding or dragging heavy furniture or improper installation of the carpets. When you have the carpets restretched it is advisable to have the installer use a power stretcher for much better results.
No matter how clean you keep your home, your carpets should be professionally cleaned at least once per year. Carpets can be a breeding ground for all sorts of mold, fungus, bacteria, dust mites, etc. Routine carpet cleanings will prevent these problems from becoming harmful to your health, and will help keep your home cleaner in general. Having your carpets cleaned routinely also helps improve the air quality inside your home.
There are many types of carpets found inside homes and businesses, and almost just as many carpet cleaning methods. Different types of carpets require various cleaning processes. If an inappropriate method is used to clean your carpet, it may diminish its quality, or even completely ruin the carpet. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional carpet cleaning company to care for your flooring. Qualified carpet care specialists possess the necessary knowledge and tools to ensure quality service.
Carpet Shampooing
This is a relatively common approach to routine carpet cleaning, but is not very effective. First, the carpet is vacuumed, and then a detergent is applied directly to the carpet. The detergent is then agitated by a machine, and extracted by a vacuum. Deodorizers and brighteners are commonly used with the detergent, or even found in the detergent itself.
How do you remove permanent marker stains from carpet? Well, the bad news is that it's called "permanent" marker for a reason. Depending on how new and how deep the stains are, you may not be able to remove them completely.
You can almost always lighten stains, though, and sometimes make them unnoticible. There are other things you can do to hide the stain as well. Start with the method here to get out as much as you can.
First, thoroughly vacuum the area. This removes any loose dirt, dust or other substances that might give you trouble when you work on the stain.
For the carpet stain removal solvent, use rubbing alcohol or a non-oily hairspray. Use a small amount on a clean white cloth, and dab at the stain. You should see transfer of the stain to the cloth. Use another dry cloth to blot up the solution between applications.
Just apply the solution and blot it up several times. Then rinse the spot with clean water and blot that up. Finally, dry the area thoroughly.
When it comes time to give your carpet a deep cleaning, you may be unsure of what the best method of cleaning will be. Whether you decide to rent a cleaner and do the job yourself, or hire a professional to handle the job for you, you will probably be overwhelmed by the choices involving types of cleaners and cleaning solutions. One option that you can consider is using a dry carpet cleaner to give a spit and polish to your carpeted floors. Dry carpet cleaners use a method of carpet cleaning that does not require water or liquid-based detergent or cleaning agents. Since using water on your carpets can be risky, and too much water can be damaging, dry carpet cleaners eliminate the concern over allowing your carpet to get too wet so that it cannot dry quickly enough to save it from water damage. Dry carpet cleaning is often the method of choice to use on particularly fine carpet fibers.
How A Dry Carpet Cleaner Works
Dry carpet cleaning involves the use of a powder-based cleaning agent. The cleaning agent is usually sprinkled across the carpeting and left to set for a half hour or more. You can also find dry carpet cleaners that can be sprayed onto your carpet. The cleaner is usually spread evenly about the carpet with a brush before leaving it to set. The dry carpet cleaners will attract the dirt from your carpet and bring it to the surface, so that you can simply vacuum the dirt away after the solvent has set for the recommended period of time.
Why do some fail and others succeed when it comes to carpet cleaning? The previous just do not know the dos and don’ts to carpet cleaning. You don’t really have to be a flooring expert to know it. Even before you decide to buy one, you should already know how to become a responsible owner. But just in case you’ve forgotten the cardinal rules or you still don’t know about them, here they are, listed for you:
What to Do in Carpet Cleaning
1. Vacuum the carpet regularly. You just don’t know how 5 to 10 minutes of vacuuming can increase the lifespan of your carpets. It can get rid of the dust and dirt, which are considered to be certified enemies of your flooring. It’s also going to be good for the family too, as dirty carpets are breeding grounds of harmful microorganisms. They can potentially harm your health, causing asthma and skin allergies. Regular vacuuming can also let you save on carpet cleaning service costs.
How many times you vacuum will depend on the type of carpet and how much dirt is has already accumulated. You may have to do carpet cleaning more often if the flooring is utilized in high-traffic areas such as in living rooms, patios, porches, and offices. You also need to use the vacuum cleaner that is made specifically for carpets. It normally doesn’t have brushes that may cause loose carpet pile.
2. Hire professional carpet cleaners. When there is stubborn stain or a more serious carpet problem, you can’t leave the solution into your hands. You need to get the best carpet cleaners. Fortunately, there is an abundance of carpet cleaners. They don’t only have the equipment, but they also have the experience and the expertise to settle out the problems for you. What’s more, these carpet cleaners are so good at what they do that they can even give you tips on carpet maintenance.
Nevertheless, you still have to make sure that you’re dealing with the right carpet cleaning company. This means that you need to verify if they have certification from Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration. The company must also have considerable amount of experience.
If you don't have the time to do your carpet cleaning chores on your own you should look into hiring a carpet cleaning service to handle the job. You can take advantage of a carpet cleaning service by making use of the frequent carpet cleaning coupons that you receive in the mail. Many of these companies will offer a discount on their services to encourage new customers to try their services.
You should research the company that you are planning to hire for your carpet cleaning service. Make sure that they have been in business for a reasonable amount of time and that they have the proper insurance in case anything goes wrong in your home. You should plan to be home for the initial visit for cleaning service. Once you have an established relationship with the company, you can schedule the carpet cleaning for a time when you are not home.
If you have pets, make sure that they are kept out of the room that is to have the carpet cleaned. Animals can become very nervous when a stranger is in their house and their master is not. They may even bite your carpet cleaner. It is best to let your cleaning service know that there are animals in the house and where they will be located. If you decide to put your pets in another room, tell the cleaning company so that they will not enter those rooms.
Keeping a clean carpet assures a healthy living environment. Carpets can get dirty very quickly. Even though you may vacuum regularly it does not always ensure that your carpet is clean. Here are several carpet cleaning tips to help you care for your carpet.
Even though vacuuming alone may not keep your carpets perfectly clean, vacuuming regularly does prevent dirt from getting embedded deep down into the fibers. Of course to keep your carpet in the best shape it is recommended that you vacuum everyday. However, this might be a little unrealistic. Be sure to vacuum at least twice a week. When vacuuming, go over the area slowly several times especially in high traffic areas to be sure you get all the dust and dirt.
Besides vacuuming your carpet shampooing it is also necessary to maintain a clean carpet. There are a couple of ways to do this. One way is to use a shampoo solution which is sprayed onto the carpet to loosen the dirt deep down then let the carpet dry and then vacuum well. Another way of carpet cleaning is to steam clean it. To do this you use a liquid-based cleaning agent and a steam-cleaning machine which brings dirt to the carpet's surface and pulls it out of the carpet. Both methods will do the job. It is just a matter of preference.
Carpets have been around for a very, very long time – one carpet from the fifth century BC still survives today, and there is evidence that carpets had been made for thousands of years before that. These carpets were more decorative than the practical version we know today, however, and they were often hung on walls as a kind of art. It was only in the 18th century that carpets became really popular as a floor covering.
Although carpet’s popularity has fallen in recent years, it is still one of the most popular floor coverings in the world. Unfortunately, carpet has had a lot of problems along the way, most of them to do with cleaning.
Cleaning a carpet, you see, is surprisingly difficult. Over time, they can get dirt and dust trapped deep inside their fibres, in a way that is very difficult for any type of cleaning product to remove, although the technology is still advancing all the time. A bad carpet can make a whole house dusty, playing havoc with anyone who has allergies, and making it very difficult to keep the place clean.
Which is the most important of my carpet care tips? You'll find it at the top of the list below. Use the five other tips as well, and you'll get years more use from your carpet.
Top Carpet Care Tips
1. Keep your carpet clean. Sand and dirt act like thousands of little razor blades that cut carpet fibers. Damaged carpet stains more easily, and it's harder to remove the stains from it as well. Vacuum often to remove dirt, and your carpet will last longer.
2. Use rugs. Put rugs outside and inside the front door, and any other entrances. They can catch much of the dirt that people bring in on their feet. That means less vacuuming and longer carpet life.
3. Remove shoes. This is a sure way to make carpet last longer. If you have a nice home with nice carpet, people usually aren't offended by this policy.
4. Clean stains quickly and properly. If using a cleaning solvent other than water, apply it to a cloth first, and work it in from the outside of the stain to the center, so you don't spread the spot. Apply the cleaner, extract (blot), rinse, extract, and repeat until you can't get more of the stain out. Extract solvents completely, and dry the carpet quickly when you're done. If there is any stain remaining deeper down in the carpet, quick drying prevents it from wicking up to the surface.
An incompetent firm can be worse than no cleaning firm at all, so choose your cleaner with care. Are you dealing with a professional or a guy in a pickup truck that works out of his garage? Obviously, the best recommendation for the perfect rug-cleaning firm would be satisfied neighbors and friends. They probably have done the due diligence required before they hired the firm that cleaned their carpeting.
If you strike out with your neighbors and friends, ask a lot of questions of potential firms about price, workmanship, and also note how their business phone answers calls. If you get a voice mail machine responding to your call, it could be a one-man operation. That doesn’t mean that he is incompetent, but at least you have your guard up and can ask the right kind of questions that will result in a knowledgeable decision on your part.
Here are some things that can separate the good from the not-so-good firms:
· Ask if your cleaner provides a written workmanship guarantee. Will they perform another cleaning if you are unhappy with the job?
· Ask the firm for an in-home estimate. If they offer an estimate over the phone, how can they tell how much spotting is required or if there are unusual requirements to be concerned about? Judge how candid your estimator is when he arrives on site. This can be a good clue concerning their integrity.
Cleaning a wool carpet takes care and attention, in fact just as much care and attention as you would use when washing your real wool garments. Wool is without a doubt the best type of carpet to have in any home, providing many advantages over synthetic alternatives.
Such carpets are not only the most expensive of any kind of carpet you could buy, but as with anything, you also get what you pay for. They have an outstanding natural ability to resist wear and tear, and the ability to resist most stains far better than any synthetic material.
Wool is a luxurious fiber because it is natural, but also because it is soft. However, as with the vast majority of natural fibers, wool has its own particular weaknesses when it comes to cleaning materials, and you have to be careful what you use if you want to maintain your wool carpet properly.
Cleaning a wool carpet is quite different to that of carpets fashioned from synthetic fibers such as nylon, and if you have built up a collection of cleaning solutions for synthetic fiber carpets, you would do well to discard them immediately. Most carpet cleaners will be either too acidic or too alkaline to use on wool. Any cleaning solution for a wool carpet should have a pH value as close to neutral as possible, otherwise it could well cause the wool fabric to break down and dissolve, or at the very least lose its natural softness and become severely discoloured.
The best method of helping to keep a wool carpet clean is to regularly vacuum it, since the wool will resist most stains and dirt for a short while. Whereas with most carpets perhaps weekly vacuuming is perfectly acceptable, wool carpets need to be vacuumed a minimum of three times a week, although it is preferable to vacuum daily in order to make sure that your carpet remains in the best condition.
Should your carpet suffer a spill or spot then it is important to act as quickly as possible. Use an absorbent cloth and dilute the spill using water. Wool is absorbent and so it is important not to use too much water. For best results use a solution which is three parts water to one part vinegar. This slightly acidic solution will not harm your carpet, but it will help to dilute the stain and at the same time will help to keep the wool soft.
Seagrass is possibly the best known of the natural floorings; hard wearing with a unique appearance made by flooding the plant with seawater before harvesting relatively open weave due to the variable fibre gauge and has the most "slubs" or irregularities has the most variation of natural shading of all the natural floorings unpredictable green/beige/brown with shade flecking - all dependent on the time of harvest inherently anti-static - vacuums well and is low in absorbency, suitable for most areas in the home.
Chinese Seagrass is cultivated in paddy fields. At a particular point in the growing season the fields are flooded with sea water. After harvesting and drying, the Seagrass is spun into a yarn that is surprisingly impermeable to moisture. Naturally stain resistant and hardwearing, Seagrass is suitable for most places in the home.
