Do Wool Carpets Stain Easily?

Do wool carpets stain easily? Sadly yes, when it comes to things like wine, coffee and smoke. But they are resistant to a lot of other things. When I was choosing my current flooring, a hard-to-stain option was a priority. Wool carpets are cozy, warm and soft. Plus, they are long-lasting when you are appropriately caring for and vacuuming regularly. Dirt and dust on wool carpets can also be hard to see, which is great for pet owners that want their home to have a clear appearance at all times. Today, I’ll take a closer look at the stain resistance of wool carpets, and the best ways to remove any marks that appear.

My experience growing up with wool carpets
Are wool carpets resistant to stains?
Are wool carpets resistant to soils?
Cleaning and maintaining wool carpets
Removing stains from a wool carpet

Growing Up With Wool Carpets

Wool carpets are popular partly because they can last a long time. Wool carpets have been around for quite some time, dating back as early as 2,000 or 3,000 BC, originating somewhere in the Middle East!

I grew up in the small-town midwest on a rustic, little generational farm. In the living room of that old farmhouse is a wool carpet; I remember playing with my dolls on the soft, warm, greyish-blue wool carpet as a young girl. My grandparents installed the wool carpet in the summer of 1972. My mother and her siblings grew up on that carpet, as did I. Few people can say they played and grew up on the same carpet as their mother. I can say that.

Fifty years later, the carpet looks the same as it did 20 years ago when I would lay on the carpet merely to take a nap. My mother could say the same about 40 years ago; that proves wool carpets can be long-lasting with proper care and maintenance. But, you still need to put some work in if you want your carpets to stay looking their best, as my grandparents’ did. Which is exactly what I’m here to teach you!

Are Wool Carpets Resistant to Stains?

Wool is naturally resilient. It will keep its shape and pristine appearance after years of pressure, high traffic, pets, children, and more! Natural sheep’s wool has crude oils that will protect the carpet, repelling any oil-based stains like oil-based paint, grease, wax, and cooking elements.

Although it has remarkable repelling effects compared to oil-based, liquid stains are negligibly different. Wool does not have much resistance to:

Drinks with high pigmentation like wine or coffee
Alcoholic beverages
Soft drinks
Bleach or other household cleaning products
Smoke
Urine or things of that essence.

Are Wool Carpets Resistant to Soils?

Soiling is a bit different than staining, although they are similar. A stain is a discolored spot on the carpet; water-soluble products cause staining. Soiling is when particles of matter get embedded into your carpet fibers, burying them deep in your carpet. Soiling is caused by:

Residue from a leftover stain
Dirt or mud particles
Slime or similar products
Spot remover products or other cleaning products
Bare feet, no socks or slippers.

Wool carpets can be vulnerable to soiling. But, there’s plenty you can do to prevent them, and to keep your carpets looking clean and fresh.

Cleaning and Maintaining Wool Carpets

You can do lots to protect and maintain the beautiful aesthetic of your wool carpet. First and foremost is pretty standard! You should ensure that you vacuum regularly, about once a week, to keep your wool carpet in acceptable shape and well maintained. But, if you are looking for the best way to get a serious clean, you have reached the right place! Observe these simple steps below.

1. First, vacuum very well.
2. Next, you could purchase numerous cleaners that are safe for wool carpets, or you could mix a mild cleanser at home.
3. Gently clean the carpet with a sponge dipped in your cleaning solution, working in 3 feet by 3 feet areas.
4. Rinse the bubbles by patting the carpet with a sponge dipped in clean water.
5. Pat the area with a towel, cloth, or paper towel to extract any excess dampness. Patting dry is an important step. If you have any leftover moisture that will attract dust and dirt particles, it will cause your carpet to soil.
6. Let your carpet dry entirely before walking on it again.

Okay, so maybe getting down on your hands and knees and scrubbing section by section isn’t your cup of tea, no worries! Essentially, any wool carpet is safe to use a carpet cleaner or shampooer, as long as you assure that all excess moisture is out of the carpet; that is where you could run into concerns such as mold or mildew. If you want to go with the “safest” choice, calling an expert who knows what they are doing is your best chance.

Removing Stains from Wool Carpets

Removing stains on wool carpets can be as easy as 1, 2, 3. However, that is not always the case. For best results, you want to clean up the spill immediately; the longer the stain sits, the more chance it has to seep deep into the carpet’s fibers. Quickly clearing the spill can stop the stain from setting in. Most spills, if removed promptly, can be cleaned up with just water!

Although cleaning up spills promptly can help the situation, you cannot always quickly clean up a spill; they can set in soon! If that is the matter, there are many actions you can take before calling the carpet or rug wrecked. The steps are as follows:

1. If there is any solid, immediately remove it with a putty knife or spoon.
2. Treat the stain with a bit of warm, not hot, water.
3. Press dry with a cloth or paper towel. NEVER rub the stain. Always dab.

For Persistent Stains

If the stain persists, cleaning products may need to get involved.

Combine a treatment of one teaspoon of wool-friendly detergent, one teaspoon of white vinegar, and 1 liter of warm water. Mix well.
Pat the stain with a sponge dipped in your stain treatment mixture.
Rinse with warm water
Pat dry with a towel, cloth, or paper towel.
Repeat until the stain is gone.

If the stain persists, contact a professional. The professional should be capable of getting almost any stain out. If the professional can’t, you may as well call it a loss.