So, you’ve invested in a wool carpet. Congratulations—your floors now look absolutely stunning, even if your wallet has seen better days.
Wool carpets are beautiful, durable, and one of the smartest flooring choices you can make. They’re naturally resilient, resist stains better than you might expect, and age gracefully when treated properly. The key phrase here, though, is ‘when treated properly.’
Curious to know more? Let’s walk through exactly how to keep yours in brilliant shape, step by step.
Vacuuming Done Right
Let’s start with the one habit that matters most: regular vacuuming. This is your baseline. Everything else builds on top of it.
Once a week is the sweet spot for most rooms. High-traffic areas, like hallways and living rooms, though? Those might need two or three passes. Dust and debris settle fast, and the longer you leave them, the deeper they grind into the fibres.
When you hoover, take your time and use a brush attachment. Slow, overlapping passes give the machine a chance to lift dirt properly instead of just brushing over the surface.
Use a vacuum with a gentle brush attachment and take your time. Slow, overlapping strokes do a far better job than a quick once-over.
And while you’re at it, keep an eye out for wear and tear. Avoid vacuuming loose threads or ‘sprouts,’ as pulling them can unravel the surrounding fibres. Instead, trim them carefully with scissors so the pile stays intact.
Dealing with Spills
Sticking to a solid vacuuming schedule is just the start. But life happens, and sometimes life spills a glass of red wine on your gorgeous carpet. When that moment comes, speed is everything.
We know it’s tempting to rub the fabric like you’re sanding wood, but resist the urge if you don’t want to permanently damage your rug. Rubbing just pushes the stain deeper into the fibres and makes your job ten times harder.
Instead, grab a clean cloth and press down gently to absorb as much liquid as you can, working from the outside of the spill inward.
Once you’ve lifted the worst of it, mix a small amount of wool-safe detergent with water. Test it on a hidden spot first, then dab it onto the stain with a soft cloth.
Be careful not to soak the area, though. Too much moisture invites mould, and that’s a whole other problem you don’t need when you’ve already spent a lot of money on a designer rug.
Deep Cleaning
You’re vacuuming regularly and tackling spills like a pro—so far, so good. But over time, dirt and allergens work their way deep into the base, well beyond where your vacuum can reach. That’s when a deep clean becomes essential.
For most wool carpets across the UK, a professional carpet clean every 6–12 months is the way to go.
Trained cleaners have the right equipment and know exactly how to flush out the grime without damaging the delicate fibres. The heat from their machines also kills off dust mites, which is a nice bonus.
If you’d rather do it yourself, a rental steam cleaner on a low setting works well enough. Just be mindful of excess moisture, as we’ve mentioned. So, open the windows, run a fan, and let your rug dry fully before putting your furniture back or walking across it.
Protecting Your Carpet Against Wear and Tear
Deep cleaning keeps your carpet fresh, but prevention is what really extends its life. Luckily, a few small adjustments now will save you from wondering later why one area looks tired while the rest still looks great.
- Use furniture protectors. Heavy furniture can leave dents in wool fibres over time, especially if it never moves. So, add padded protectors under chair and sofa legs to spread the weight more evenly and help the fabric bounce back.
- Add runners or area rugs. Carpets in high-traffic areas, like hallways and living rooms, get grimy fast. To avoid this, place runners or rugs in these zones to absorb daily wear and protect the wool underneath.
- Rearrange your furniture. Even small changes give compressed fibres a chance to recover. You don’t need to redecorate every six months, but moving things slightly can make a noticeable difference over time.
- Manage direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can fade wool carpets, even the darker colours. So, close the curtains during the brightest part of the day or use UV-filtering window coverings to keep the colours vibrant for longer.
Storing Your Wool Carpet Properly
Finally, if you ever need to store a wool carpet, whether it’s seasonal, spare, or simply being swapped out, you need to do it properly. A bit of care here goes a long way.
Clean it thoroughly before you put it away. Any lingering dirt or moisture will only cause trouble while it’s tucked out of sight. Once it’s clean and dry, roll it up instead of folding it. Folding creates creases that are surprisingly difficult to get out later.
When you roll it, wrap it in something breathable, like a cotton sheet or a specialist carpet wrap. Plastic might seem like the obvious choice, but it traps moisture and encourages mildew—not ideal.
Want to take it up a notch? Tuck a couple of cedar blocks or lavender sachets inside as well. Moths are a real nuisance, and these are a gentle, chemical-free way to keep them off.
However, if you or anyone in your household has sensitive skin, keep these wrapped in breathable fabric and avoid direct contact.
And if the carpet will be stored long-term, unroll and re-roll it in a different direction every few months to prevent permanent curl at the edges. That way, you’ll pull it back out looking as good as the day you rolled it up.
Conclusion
And there you have it: a full, no-nonsense guide to keeping your wool carpet in top nick, from daily vacuuming right through to long-term storage.
So, put one tip into action today and enjoy the results. Don’t be surprised if guests start asking how you keep it looking so good; just be ready to share the secret.
