Carpets and wool rugs tend get very dirty and become easily stained. Wool fibers are especially susceptible to pet accidents and food spills. They must be cleaned as soon as possible. In addition to regular cleaning, it is advisable to keep wool rugs on a rug pad to prevent dirt from being absorbed into the entire wool rug.
Steam cleaning usually equals hot water extraction
When it comes to cleaning wall-to-wall nylon carpet and synthetic rugs steam cleaning is an excellent choice. This method uses hot water to extract dirt and water from the carpet. Its benefits include cleanliness and safety. You only need detergent and a hot water portable extractor or truck mount. However, you should be aware of the risks of steaming wool rugs.
Most rug manufacturers and The WoolSafe® Organisation do not recommend hot water extraction to clean wool or other natural fibers. If wool is cleaned too hot, the heated water can cause damage to the fibers. Also, steam cleaner detergent is often rated high in pH. Wool should be cleaned with a low to neutral pH-rated shampoo.
Steam cleaning involves the use of actual steam, and the water is heated to a high temperature. This is a much higher temperature than straight steam, which is not effective because it does not rinse the fibers thoroughly. The water used for heated water extraction must be hot enough to clean your wall to wall carpet effectively and generate steam. During steam cleaning, the temperature of the water should be at least 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, it is important that wool, oriental, or Persian rugs be properly washed with cool water and WoolSafe® shampoo.
Dusting wool rugs
Dusting all the dirt from wool rugs is essential to loosen deeply embedded dirt and for maintaining the fresh look and feel of the wool rug. This task will help prevent the dirt particles (grit) from settling into the base and cutting into the fibers. A wool rug can appear dirty even after it has been cleaned. But, it can still be kept looking like new by carefully dusting, preferably before the washing.
Sometimes your vacuum’s suction or rug beater can break the latex glue that holds the natural wool fibers together on tufted rugs. Over time, the glue will crumble and pull away from the wool. Also, avoid using the vacuum’s beater bar brush, which may tear the fibers. Instead, use an upholstery attachment that offers a gentle brushing action.
To avoid staining the rug further, always use a wool-safe stain remover. Using a clean cloth to apply the stain remover is best. Do not rub the stain, as this may cause the wool fibers to mat together. Also, avoid using a detergent with ammonia or bleach because it may damage the color and damage the wool rug.
Wool rugs become damaged by heat
If you’re considering steam cleaning your wool rug, you should be aware that high heat and moisture can damage wool fibers. The heat and moisture can cause it to lose its color and create a bad smell. It can also shrink, and become brown. To avoid this problem, you should use a WoolSafe® carpet shampoo made for cleaning wool rugs.
First, make sure the wool is dry before cleaning. Wool is extremely flammable, so be sure to follow the cleaning instructions carefully. Avoid using excessive heat, as it can cause the fibers to mat together and become shiny. Using a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to treat the stain is not a good idea, as peroxide can damage wool carpets. Always test any cleaning solution on a hidden area first, and then rinse the fabric thoroughly with clear water.
While steam cleaning can remove stains from clothing and fabrics, wool garments are especially vulnerable to heat and chemicals. Heat can cause the fibers to shrink, and the dyes can bleed. It can also lead to felting. The temperature of the water hitting the fibers should not exceed 150 degrees. However, this temperature may have cooled off by the time it reaches the fibers. This is why proper wool rug cleaning is done with cool water.
Carpet cleaners that clean a wool rug can cause dye bleed
One of the worst situations that can occur during rug cleaning is dye migration. Many fine delicate rugs, including rugs made of wool, are dyed with acid dyes, and the right cleaning method can help keep the colors intact. The best way to prevent dye migration is to pre-spot stains before cleaning.
There are several different causes of dye migration. In most cases, dyes are transferred when a carpet gets wet. In some cases, excess dye can be washed out during the first cleaning. In other cases, the color will bleed during the cleaning process. For example, if a rug has been dyed red, the dye will most likely bleed when it becomes wet.
If you’d like to avoid dye migration, you should follow the guidelines provided by a professional rug cleaning facility. The wrong cleaning method can cause irreversible damage to your wool rug, including shrinking, mildew, and dye migration. Professional rug cleaning is recommended at least once a year for proper maintenance.
Mold or mildew growth with excess moisture
If you notice mold growing on your wet rugs, you cannot clean them. Unfortunately, mold can not be completely removed from porous materials like rugs, carpets, drywall or upholstery. Check your carpet for mold after any storms or leaking pipes. If you find mold growing on any of the above replace the item.
Some people think since hydrogen peroxide is a natural antifungal it can kill mold spores. While this may be true, it is not the alive mold that causes health problems with our respiratory system, but even dead mold can cause these problems. That is why all mold must be removed physically from items. It is only possible to remove 100% of mold from hard non-pourous items. Soft pourous household items contaminated with mold should be thrown out and replaced.
Water damage can also cause mold growth. The first step in preventing mold growth is to remove standing water from the carpet. Using a vacuum or dehumidifier can remove a small amount of water, but if the water remains for more than 48 hours, the mold will have a chance to grow.
Many homeowners that try to save money will wait until they get three or more estimates for water damage. The problem is the more time that passes getting other estimates the better chance the water damage turns to mold damage.
cleaning cotton fringes
If your cotton fringes are dirty, you need to clean them with a cleaning solution. A solution containing a tablespoon of ammonia or white vinegar mixed with one cup of warm water will do the trick. Using a sponge or a damp cloth, apply the mixture to the fringe. Rinse the fringe thoroughly with this solution. Afterward, dry it with a fan.
First, vacuum the fringe to remove the dust. Next, use a soft brush to remove the dirt from the fibers. After this, you can use a solution of vinegar and water. This mixture will loosen stains and neutralize odors. Finally, use a scrub brush to scrub the fringe with the solution.
The best method depends on the type of fringe. If your fringe is damaged, you may need to replace it. However, if it isn’t damaged, you can have it repaired.
drying wool rugs
After cleaning a wool rug, you must give it ample time to dry. Doing this will prevent the moisture from becoming trapped within the fibers. The process can take several hours. The rug pad must also be removed and allowed to dry before putting it back. This is a good opportunity to clean the floor beneath the rug.
During this process, you should place the rug on an area rug, floor mat or runner. This will keep it dry and clean, and will also make it last longer. You may also want to use a rug pad to protect it from high wear and tear. However, you should make sure that you do not put the rug directly on the floor if you plan to use it heavily.
Wool rugs can add sophistication to any room. They are also great at hiding dirt and debris that can wear down the natural fibers of wool. It is not easy to remove this dust and debris. It will not vacuum out as it gets stuck in the wool scales. For this reason, it is best to call in a professional as they have special equipment to get this dirt and debris out before they wash them.
Professional rug cleaner
Call NOVA Rugs at 703-349-5745
If you own a wool area rug, you should not use harsh chemicals when cleaning it. However, it is still necessary to have the carpet professionally cleaned. A steam cleaning service is not the best choice. Wool area rugs are particularly hard to clean. If you do not know how to clean them yourself, you should contact a certified rug cleaning specialist.
Wool rugs are more delicate than synthetic carpets. The cleaning solution used by a professional carpet cleaner isn’t safe for this type of wool rug. The best solution to wash a wool rug is a wool safe detergent or shampoo. It will also help preserve the colors. It is important to keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide or bleach should never be used for wool rug care. These products will ruin wool or oriental rugs.
Wool is an organic fiber and cleaning may cause an odor on tufted rugs. Tufted rugs are made with glue holding the wool rug properly in place rather than weaving them. Most of the time the smell will go away after the carpet dries. But there are some problem rugs from India that will always give off bad odors after cleaning because of the kind of glue they use to manufacture them. This is our final reason you should call a professional rug cleaning service, not carpet cleaning, rather than trying to wash your own rugs.
