Wool carpeting, which can be found as a blend of synthetic and wool or 100% sheep’s fleece, is a popular carpet option due to its naturally soft texture, durability, and insulating properties. Although wool carpeting is often a more expensive option compared to fully synthetic carpeting, many make the investment in consideration of its sound-absorbing, dirt-repelling, and environmentally friendly qualities. 

Because wool carpets and rugs are pricier and have specific maintenance requirements, it’s crucial to take proper care of them to promote cleanliness and longevity. In this article, we’ll be covering safe and effective wool carpet cleaning tips so you can keep them in excellent condition for years to come. 

Preparation for Cleaning Wool Carpets 

Whether your carpet is a blend of wool and synthetic fibers or 100% wool, you will be able to clean it with the help of wool-friendly products, tools, and routine cleaning. 

To set yourself and your wool carpets up for success, you’ll want to have a few tools and materials on hand before getting started with cleaning. Keep in mind, wool carpets will need to be treated with wool-friendly cleaning solutions, which are gentler than other chemical solutions. Before cleaning, consider performing a spot test to ensure it is safe to use. 

Recommended Tools and Materials 

To keep up with wool carpet maintenance, it’s good to have a few tools and materials on hand for when it’s time to perform a routine clean or when spills happen. 

• Vacuum (soft bristles or no beater bar)
• Soft bristle broom or brush
• Wool-friendly cleaning solution
• Sponges and towels
• Baking soda
• Cornstarch 
• White distilled vinegar

General Cleaning Techniques

Wool carpets require a bit more attention than traditional carpets, so understanding and implementing some general cleaning techniques will help ensure your carpets remain fresh. Here are some best practices for wool carpet care:

Routine Vacuuming

Regularly vacuuming your wool carpet is key to maintaining cleanliness. Over time, dirt and debris will nestle its way into your carpet’s fibers. To keep up with this and ensure dirt doesn’t accumulate, it’s important to vacuum at least once a week. Be sure to move furniture out of the way while vacuuming for a more thorough cleaning. 

If you’re planning to deep clean your carpets, you’ll first want to perform an initial thorough vacuuming on all carpeted areas to remove the surface layer of dirt and debris. This is an important first step before any carpet cleaning because neglecting to pre-vacuum could result in dirt being pushed down further into the fibers. 

COIT Pro Tip

Before vacuuming, you can also sweep a soft bristle broom over the carpet to loosen up some of the surface-level dirt and debris. 

Contact COIT for a professional cleaning!

Use Wool-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

To avoid damaging your wool carpets, you’ll want to use a wool-friendly cleaning solution. Wool-friendly cleaning agents are pH-neutral. Anything above a pH level of 8 can be too aggressive on wool carpet fibers. 

COIT Pro Tip

Safe wool carpet cleaning solutions will be labeled with the “WoolSafe Approved” stamp. To remove the guesswork and ensure you don’t damage your carpet, look for bottles of cleaning solutions marked with this specific certification. 

Dry Powder Cleaning Method

Wool carpets have a tendency to absorb and lock onto moisture easily, which means they need to thoroughly dry after water is added to prevent mildew-related odors, mold, and browning. The good news is, one of the best ways to clean wool carpets doesn’t involve the use of any water. 

Dry powder cleaning refers to the use of carpet cleaning powders that are specifically made for wool carpets. Simply sprinkle the powder over your carpet, massage the formula in with a soft-bristle brush, let it sit for roughly half an hour, and then vacuum it up. Dry powder cleaning solutions can be store-bought or made at home with baking soda, which is used in many homemade cleaning recipes for its inherent cleaning properties and is therefore one of the best ways of cleaning wool carpet naturally. 

COIT Pro Tip

Don’t apply a dry powder on wet carpets as this will cause the powder to stick and make it difficult to vacuum up.

How to Remove Stains from Wool Carpet

While sound absorption is one of the many benefits of owning wool carpets, they will also absorb spills quickly, which means you’ll have to tend to them in a timely manner before any stains can set. Here’s how to quickly remove some of the most common stains on wool carpets:

Wine

To remove a wine stain from a wool carpet, start by blotting the spot with a clean white towel. After blotting, pour a bit of cold water on the stain to dilute it. Continue blotting until you can no longer remove any of the stain. Combine and apply a 3 to 1 ratio of water to baking soda to the affected area. Let this dry and then vacuum it up. 

Coffee

Blot and absorb as much of the coffee spill as possible with a clean paper towel or cloth. Dilute the stain by applying cold water to the affected area and continue blotting. Mix one-third cup of distilled vinegar with two-thirds cup of water and use a damp sponge to work this mix into the stain. Work in circular motions beginning with the outer edges of the stain. Rinse the area with cold water and use a towel to soak up any remaining liquid.

Pet Urine

To remove pet urine from wool carpets, apply enough cornstarch to the affected area to cover the entire stain. Let the cornstarch sit for around 30 minutes before rinsing the area with water. Put on a pair of protecting gloves and firmly press a cloth or paper towel into the stain to absorb the remaining liquid. 

COIT Pro Tip

Visit and save our handy Spot Removal Guide for more tips on how to remove common stains from wool carpets and upholstered furniture. If the home remedies aren’t working, contact COIT for stain removal help.

Commercial Vs. Homemade Wool Carpet Cleaner

When it comes to wool carpet care, there are both homemade and commercially sold stain removers available. While some prefer the ease and convenience of store-bought solutions, you might find yourself in a pinch and need to work with items you likely already own. DIY wool carpet cleaning solutions are typically made of baking soda, cornstarch, or borax along with mild dishwashing detergent, water, and distilled white vinegar. 

Drying and Maintenance

As mentioned, wool carpets are super absorbent. This means when you do use liquid-based cleaners (as opposed to a dry powder cleaning), you’ll want to ensure your carpets are fully dry before walking or placing any furniture items on them. Neglecting to allow your carpets to completely dry can result in mold and mildew. While traditional, synthetic carpets dry faster, wool carpets, which tend to be a bit thicker, take a minimum of 24 hours to dry. 

Beyond weekly vacuuming for general wool carpet maintenance, experts suggest performing a deep, steam clean on wool carpets at least once a year. If you plan to use a liquid-based wool-friendly solution, you will want to avoid mold and mildew during this process. Before you begin, consider opening all windows or even renting and installing a few air movers to dry your space faster. 

When to Call for a Professional Cleaning Service

While steam cleaning wool carpets is recommended at least once a year, it should be done with caution. Wool carpets require special attention, and using harsh chemicals or the wrong equipment can result in costly damage to your floors. Although you can of course clean wool carpets yourself, it may take some of the stress away if you seek help from the professionals who know how to specifically treat wool carpets. 

Signs That a Professional Cleaning is Needed

Sometimes, do-it-yourself efforts can only take us so far. Here are a few telltale signs that your carpet may be needing a professional cleaning:

• No matter how hard you’ve tried, that stubborn stain won’t go away
• There’s a foul smell coming from your carpet
• You’ve never had your carpets deep-cleaned
• You live in a high-occupancy household with a lot of foot traffic (i.e. more dirt is being tracked in)
• You are experiencing allergy symptoms or respiratory issues that may be related to dirty carpets

Benefits of a Professional Wool Carpet Cleaning

Wool carpets can be tricky, but professional carpet cleaners know how to handle a variety of carpet types. While it may seem more cost-efficient to go the DIY cleaning route, you may end up doing more harm than good, which will cost you more money down the line to correct. 

Professionals like COIT have the knowledge and the resources to assess your carpet’s exact needs and determine the best plan of action. By hiring professionals, you can ensure the work gets done right—the first time. 

Contact COIT to schedule a professional wool carpet cleaning