Preventive measures

Place absorbant mats at entrances to your home. Change or clean when these mats become dirty.

Regularly change filters in your heating and air-conditioning system. And don't forget : a darker shade of carpet is less sensitive to dirt and spots than a carpet in a lighter colour.

Daily carpet care : vacuuming

Weekly vacuuming is recommended so that soil does not become embedded in the pile causing accelerated wear by finding at the base of the tufts.

In order not to damage the woolfibers of the superb Prestige Collection qualities we propose not to use vacuum cleaners with revolving bristle strip.For loop pile carpets, use a suction only vacuum.

Intensive carpet care

When a carpet becomes soiled after years of use, it is best to have it cleaned by a professional. There are a whole host of deep cleaning methods available to guarantee your carpet an attractive appearance and a long life. If you want your carpet cleaned by a professional, call in a reputable firm and be sure to check their references.

If you decide to clean the carpet yourself, make sure you use a good quality-cleaning agent and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. No matter how careful one is, there is usually a small residue left on the pile after drying and the residue from a poor quality cleaning agent accelerates soiling.

Wet shampoo
It is important to use a neutral shampoo on wool carpets – certainly not one that is alkaline, never use household detergents, and don’t use shampoos, which smell of ammonia. To check proprietary carpet shampoos, leave a bit in a saucer overnight, pour off excess and allow to dry to see if it leaves a sticky residue to which house dust could cling.

If you use a shampooing machine, follow the instructions carefully. Never use a cleaning machine with too hard brushes as these could damage the fibers. Remove the furniture from the room, if possible and vacuum thoroughly before shampooing. Allow drying overnight before vacuuming and putting the furniture back in place. It’s important not to allow the carpet to get too wet in case the pile and backing become distorted.

Aerosol foam shampoo
For light cleaning of small areas, aerosol foam shampoos can be used. It is advisable to test the shampoo first for sticky residue, which may attract dust. Foam is usually sprayed sparingly on to the carpet and worked into the pile with a moistened sponge or brush.

Vacuum after the carpet is dry. In all cases, check the manufacturer’s directions.

Absorbent powder
There is a range of cleaning powders available, which are either solvent-saturated or detergent-saturated. Check the manufacturer’s instructions.

After vacuuming, the powder is sprinkled liberally on the carpet, brushed into the pile and then vacuumed out.

It is not necessary to remove all the powder from the pile as it can help minimize further soiling. The powder method is an easy way of freshening up a carpet. It also distorts the pile less and, because the carpet is not wetted, the room is ready for re-use sooner.

Again, do not use cleaning machines with too hard brushes as these could damage the fibers.

Spray injectection - extraction
With this method, sometimes incorrectly referred to as "steam cleaning", the carpet pile can be injected with a hot water and detergent solution under pressure so that soil is suspended in the water which is extracted almost at once by a high suction, wet vacuum system.

This method is particularly useful for very dirty carpets as it removes deep-seated dirt. It is also useful for removing excess detergents form successive wet shampooing – and together the two methods can restore a very dirty, flattened carpet. Although a machine can be rented, it is best to have this type of cleaning done by a professional cleaner because care needs to be taken not to over-wet the carpet and this distort the pile and backing.

If you do use a rented machine, it is important to follow directions and not exceed the concentrations of additives or the water temperature recommended by the chemical/detergent manufacturer.

Spot & stain removal
Act promptly: the longer you wait to deal with a stain, the more difficult it is to remove.

A Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

Step 1: Scoop up solids with a knife or spoon.

Step 2: Blot up liquids by applying pressure with white paper towels or tissues.

Step 3: Determine method of stain removal from the chart.

Step 4: Before treating stain, test treatments on an inconspicuous part of the carpet for possible colour change.

Step 5: With blotting or dabbing motion, work inwards from the edge of the stain to prevent it spreading.

Step 6: Do not rub carpet pile during the stain removal or rinsing stages.

Step 7: When attempting to remove stains, ensure that the carpet is dry before proceeding to the next step in order of treatment.

Step 8: Rinse by applying clear, tepid tap water using a clean cloth or sponge.

Step 9: Once the stain has been removed, blot up moisture by applying pressure with white paper towels or tissues.

Step 10: – Do not walk on carpet until dry.

Treatment (cleaning agent)

1. Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent (e.g. Softly) with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one liter of warm water.

2. Dry-cleaning fluid, lighter fuel or mineral turpentine. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lighted cigarette is near, and use in a well-ventilated area.

3. Mineral turpentine effectiveness is increased if mixed with an equal quantity of dry-cleaning fluid. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lighted cigarette is near, and use in a well-ventilated area.

4. Methylated spirits. Caution: Ensure that no flame or lighted cigarette is near, and use in a well-ventilated area.

5. Hydrogen peroxides (20 vol.). Dilute 1 part to 10 parts cold water. Caution: Do not use on dark or patterned fabric.

6. Dye stripper. Dilute 1 part to 50 parts cold water. Caution: do not use on dark or patterned fabric.

7. Chewing gum remover (freezing agent).

8. Nail polish remover.

9. Clean warm water.

10. Cold water.

11. Weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice with cold water.

12. Absorbent powder (e.g. salt or talc). Sprinkle on spillage, leave overnight and vacuum next day.

Woolcare stain treatment for Carpets.

Beer: 1
Beetroot: 1
Bleach: 1
Blood: 10,6
Burn or Scorch Mark: 5
Butter: 2, 1
Candlewax: 3
Chewing gum: 7
Chocolate: 1, 2
Cocoa: 2, 10, and 1
Coffee (black or white): 2, 10, and 1
Cooking oils: 2, 1
Crayon/Colour Marker: 2, 1
Cream: 2, 1
Egg: 1
Excrement: 1
Fruit juice: 9, 1
Furniture Polish: 2, 1
Grass: 4
Gravy/Sauce: 9, 1
Grease: 2, 1
Ice Cream: 1
Ink – ballpoint: 4, 1
Ink – fountain pen: 9, 1, and 6
Lipstick: 2, 1
Metal Polish: 2, 1
Mildew: 1, 5
Milk: 9, 2, and 1
Mustard: 1
Nail Polish: 8, 2
Oil: 2, 1
Paint – emulsion: 2, 10, and 1
Paint – oil base: 3, 2, and 1
Rust: 2, 1, and 11
Salad Dressing: 2, 1
Shoe Polish: 2, 1
Soft Drinks, 9, 1, 5
Tar: 3, 2, and 1
Tea (black or white): 2, 10, and 1
Urine: 1
Vomit: 1
Wine – red: 12, 9, and 6
Wine – white: 1

Whilst this advice is offered in good faith, no responsibility is accepted for claims arising from the treatments proposed. If stains fail to respond to treatments listed, call a professional fabric cleaner immediately.