In this article, we will explain how to vacuum a wool carpet properly.

Nowadays, vacuum cleaners are a standard accessory in many households. Most of the time, they can be used for a variety of things, ranging from standard bare floor vacuuming through upholstery cleaning, all the way up to carpet cleaning.

That being said, there are some things to keep in mind, if you don’t want to ruin your new furniture or rugs. In this article, we will focus on taking care of wool carpets, as this can be often quite tricky. Most people don’t really pay attention to them when vacuuming, ruining their fibers.

Not paying attention to things such as suction of the vacuum, cleaning design, and the type of the rug vastly decreases the lifetime of the carpets and makes them shed much more than expected. This is why we decided to create this guide on how to vacuum the majority of wool carpets.

Without further ado, let’s get into the proper part of this post.

How to vacuum wool carpet?

Firstly, we need to highlight, that there is no such thing as a universal vacuum for all types of wool carpets. The final result will be depended on the technique, and both the type of vacuum and the type of carpet. That being said, there are some guidelines to follow when choosing the right tools.

One thing, that we would like to address before getting into details is carpet shedding. All wool carpets are known for shedding, and you shouldn’t be too worried about this aspect. The shedding should subside over time unless you use an inadequate vacuum.

What type of vacuum should you use?

There are many different vacuums to choose from on the market, however, the most important thing is the suction. If the suction is too high, it can ruin the fibers, damaging the carpet permanently and shortening its lifetime. On the other hand, the suction needs to be high enough, so the vacuum can pick up deeply embedded dirt and debris.

Another thing to look for is an adjustable beater bar – You should be able to at least change the height of the beater bar, so you don’t damage the fibers of the carpet. While technically you can turn it off, the vacuum won’t be so efficient at removing dirt. What’s more, the beater bar should also have soft bristles.

How to clean different wool carpets?

A different thing to keep in mind is that there are different wool carpets. We will list 4 main types of wool carpets, that you should look out for before you start vacuuming. By following the instructions below, you won’t damage any fibers of the carpet.

There are 4 main types of wool carpets:

• Woven thinner pile and no pile carpets – You don’t need too much power when cleaning those carpets, so a basic upholstery tool should do the job. Most of the vacuums have some sort of a smaller tool for this purpose which should do fine with those carpets. The woven carpets should be vacuumed with the grain, so the fibers won’t get damaged, due to too much force.
• Woven high pile carpets – This type of carpets can be properly vacuumed, although, it is advised to turn off the main brush. It’s best to run the vacuum with the grain to prevent excessive shedding.
• Tufted wool carpets – Those carpets should be treated carefully, and a standard upholstery tool is a great way to clean them. Just like with the thinner pile woven carpets, you run the upholstery tool with the grain until the whole carpet is clean.
• Shag wool carpets – The best way to clean shag wool carpets is to shake out any dirt that you can, and then run a small handheld vacuum. After that, you can go ahead and shake out any dirt once again.

What can also come in handy?

If you would like to remove some stubborn stains, you may want to consider getting a few additional cleaning agents. Some of the most useful, and safe products used in carpet cleaning are white vinegar, dish detergent, spray bottle, carpet cleaner, cleaning rags, and rug pad.

You certainly shouldn’t need much more than this, and depending on the stain, you can create the perfect formula. Below, we will talk about the most popular stains, and how to remove them using the tools listed above.

Cleaning different carpet stains

Different carpet stains should be removed with different cleaning agents, and often time it can be quite confusing. In the list below, we will cover the most common stains and the best ways to remove them.

If you would like to remove:

• Ink stains – You should mix one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with water, and dab a towel in the formula. Then with the help of the towel and dish soap, you should be able to easily remove the stain.
• Grease stains – The best combination for any grease is the dish soap with water, and a rag to blot the stain. After doing this, you can dab dry the wet stain.
• Pet stains – Firstly you should remove any excess liquid, and then mix dish soap with white vinegar, and water. This formula should take care of the mess.
• Mud stains – Simple dish soap and water solution should do the job, and then you simply dab the area dry.
• Wine stains – Remove any excess, mix dish soap with white vinegar, and water. Spray or dab the formula in the dirty spot, until the whole stain is removed.
• Coffee stains –  The same goes for coffee as for the wine – Firstly remove all the excess, and use the dish soap with water formula. Dab the area until it’s completely dry.

Those are only some of the most popular stains, however, for most people, it should be enough. After all, since you are vacuuming the carpet, it could also be a great time to take care of those stubborn stains.

How often should you vacuum your wool carpet?

You may be asking how often should you vacuum your wool carpet – A quick answer would be – It depends. It depends on your lifestyle, whether you have a lot of pets or children, as well as, the type of carpet. That being said, there is a limit to how often you can clean your wool carpet.

If you don’t want to get your rug damaged, it’s best to thoroughly clean the carpet once or twice a week maximum. When it comes to cleaning them, once a year should be completely sufficient. Of course, you may want to clean particularly dirty spots or stains quicker.

Common questions & answers

Is wool carpet hard to clean?

This will depend mostly on the type of carpet – As we mentioned earlier, there are carpets that can endure much more than simple brushing, therefore, it would be a quick and easy cleaning. On the other hand, there are low-pile, soft ones which will be harder to clean.

Is it OK to vacuum the carpet every day?

Vacuuming a wool carpet every day isn’t the best idea, since you don’t want to cause excessive shedding. What’s more, this will vastly decrease the lifetime of the carpet, especially when not using the right cleaning equipment.

Does carpet powder ruin vacuums?

We don’t really recommend using the carpet powder too much, as it can sometimes ruin both the vacuum and the carpet. If you feel like you are knowledgeable enough, it’s up to you, however, we highly advise against carpet powder, especially if you are a beginner.

Do wool carpets flatten?

Wool carpets are perfect for high-traffic areas, as they don’t flatten too much. It takes way more time for them to wear down, compared to a standard carpet.

How do you stop carpets smelling after cleaning?

White vinegar is a great way to get rid of the smell from the vacuum – You could simply spray it onto the carpet, and leave it overnight. After the solution is dried, you can vacuum the carpet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, vacuuming a wool carpet will be dependent on many factors. Firstly, you should consider what is the type of your carpet and whether it will work well with the vacuum. Then you have to remember to use the proper technique.

For carpets, that are soft and low-pile it’s best to use small, upholstery tools while the durable ones can be vacuumed. Turning of the main brush, or setting up the right height for the beater bar is also a great way to prevent any permanent damage.

We hope, that after reading this article, you will know how to vacuum a wool carpet.