Do Wool Carpets Shrink?
Do wool carpets shrink? I love my wool carpets – they’re warm, soft and look great. But, there’s no denying that wool carpets can be tricky to care for. One of the most common problems that can occur after cleaning your carpets is that your carpets may shrink. And regardless of whether your wool carpets are new or old, you don’t want to have to replace them because of a mistake that occurred during the cleaning process. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at why wool carpets shrink, what to do if you’ve noticed this issue, and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Contents
- Do wool carpets shrink?
- Why do wool carpets shrink?
- Can you fix wool carpets that have shrunk?
- How to prevent wool carpets from shrinking
Do Wool Carpets Shrink?
Wool carpets are a fantastic flooring option. They’re environmentally friendly, luxurious, and fire-resistant. So, no matter whether you only recently installed your wool carpet or if it’s been sitting in your home for numerous years, you don’t want to have to replace it over something as silly as poor cleaning.
Unfortunately, wool carpets are prone to becoming soiled and stained, as well as regular wear and tear. They need regular care and cleaning. But, if you don’t do proper research before cleaning up your wool carpets, you can do more damage – leaving your carpets looking worse than before you started trying to clean them up. Improper care can cause wool carpets to shrink and warp out of shape, leaving your entire room looking untidy.
Why Do Wool Carpets Shrink?
The biggest reason why wool carpets shrink is because of poor cleaning. People who don’t fully read instructions on how to clean wool carpets, or even uneducated carpet cleaning companies, can completely ruin wool carpets. A ruined, shrunken wool carpet will need to be replaced, which is something no one wants to do. Wool carpets shrink when the backing of the carpet gets wet. The backing is called jute backing. When it gets wet, it expands and swells, causing the fibers woven into the backing to pull inwards and away from the walls.
And although poor cleaning is the main reason for wool carpets shrinking, it isn’t the only reason. You may be more than capable of cleaning your wool carpet, having researched how to do it and ways to prevent shrinking. But if you use insufficient tools, all that knowledge and time you’ve spent learning how to efficiently clean your carpets would have been for nothing.
If your tools aren’t strong enough to take all the water out of your carpet, then water will be left behind. This will, of course, lead to shrinking. Too much pre-cleaning spray can also cause a shrinking issue. It can seep down into the jute and pull your carpet away from the edges.
Can You Fix a Shrunken Wool Carpet?
Sadly, it’s very rare to see a shrunken carpet restored to its original state. Some carpet care professionals may suggest that it is possible to remove the carpet and stretch it to its original size. However, this can be an expensive process. And, if not done properly, you will be left with a damaged, unattractive carpet that still doesn’t fit your room.
Most experts will tell you the best and simplest course of action is to replace the carpet altogether. Once you’ve replaced your carpets with new ones, you can work to prevent any shrinking in the future. But, this can be a costly and stressful process. So, if possible, avoid the risk of a shrunken carpet in the first place.
How to Prevent Carpets from Shrinking
So, now that you understand why wool carpets shrink, let’s get into the ways to prevent that unwanted shrinking from ever happening in the first place.
Hire an Experienced Cleaning Company
The easiest and safest way to clean your carpets and not have them shrink is to hire a professional. But, be cautious when searching for cleaners. Some companies, like we mentioned before, will say they’re trained to get the job done when in reality, they’re clueless as to how to properly clean a wool carpet.
Do your research into different carpet cleaning companies in your area. Pay close attention to reviews, the power of their machinery, and whether or not they’ve been through extensive training on wool carpets and cleaning processes. Trained companies will always check your carpet before cleaning to ensure that it won’t shrink or damage in any way.
Use Sufficient Tools
If you plan on cleaning your carpet yourself, make sure you have sufficient tools that are powerful enough to remove the water and cleaning agents from your carpet. You can usually hire tools from rental companies. But, if you go down this route, be sure to ask questions about which tools are the most powerful and efficient. Remember, using the wrong tools can be just as detrimental to your carpets as not knowing how to clean them altogether!
Do Wool Carpets Shrink? A Summary
If you’re ever in doubt about how to clean your carpets, then always seek the help of professionals who are fully trained in the type of carpet you have. Their cleaning services may be slightly expensive, but compared to forking out for entirely new carpets, I think it is a pretty fair deal. Preventing shrunken wool carpets is much easier than fixing them, so it’s worth the time and effort you put in!
