Carpet knowledge woolly? Get help from professionals
April 1st 2006

With over two decades of knowledge acquisition and application since forming in the mid-eighties, the WoolSafe Organisation says it can help anyone tasked with maintaining wool or wool-rich carpets. Below are a few basic tips Carpets in commercial interiors are a large investment and are expected to provide not only an aesthetic appeal, but one which will encounter enormous punishment through heavy footfall, roller chairs and everyday spills.

The WoolSafe Organisation was formed to protect that investment.

Since is inauguration over 20 years ago, the WoolSafe Organisation has, and continues to, help all different types of sectors, including those responsible for the upkeep of wool and woolrich carpet in commercial interiors.

A frequently cleaned carpet will ensure its looks are maintained for longer resulting in lower lifecycle costs and more service for your initial financial outlay. Clean carpets also maintain the right image and ambience and will also impact the health and safety of the buildings occupants.

With many interior designers, specifiers and contractors specifying the popular 80% wool, 20% nylon blend for commercial interiors in tile or broadloom format, the building will already have a hard wearing, tough soft flooring option. However, its performance can be expending many time with the correct cleaning and maintenance programme. The WoolSafe Organisation offers easy to follow recommendations on the upkeep of carpet in commercial interiors and these are as follows:

Using a WoolSafe Certified Carpet Cleaning Operator will ensure a professional carpet and upholstery service is given and that the company used are fully qualified to clean carpets and rugs effectively. WoolSafe operators are a select group of professional carpet and upholstery cleaning companies, with particular expertise in the cleaning and maintenance of wool and wool-rich carpets, rugs and upholstery. They specialise in: carpet cleaning; carpet protection; fire / smoke damage repairs; colour repairs; deodorizing; water / flood damage repairs; insect resist treatments; installation repairs; upholstery cleaning / treatment.

The organisation also provides advice across the carpet cleaning spectrum. While it numerous guides to specific cleaning applications, the following information provides a snapshot as to the most common elements of general carpet cleaning:

Entrance or walk-off mats

The use of entrance mats at all outside entrances to buildings is highly recommended, as it will significantly reduce the rate at which carpets will soil. They should be as large as possible to allow most of the street dirt to be removed from shoe soles. The mats must be cleaned regularly.

Fibre loss

Many newly installed carpets, particularly those with a cut or velour pile, tend to lose fibre during the first few weeks on the floor. This effect, called shedding or fluffing, is caused by the way the yarn is spun and the carpet is made. It is no reason for alarm, but a natural phenomenon, which will stop eventually. Cleaners should vacuum the carpet a little more gently for the first few weeks and empty the dust bag or receptacle regularly.

Protective treatments

Many carpets come with a protective fibre treatment to reduce problems with staining and soiling. These treatments, while effective in many ways, are not bullet-proof and will eventually wear off. Quick response to spills and regular cleaning is still required.Carpets that have no protector applied by the manufacturer can be treated after installation on the floor by a WoolSafe accredited carpet cleaning company.

Pile reversal or shading

Pile reversal, also known as shading, or - wrongly - water marking, is the effect whereby areas of velour or velvet carpet appear to become lighter or darker in colour than the surrounding area. It is an optical effect, brought about by localised changes in the direction of pile lay and made visible by the way light is reflected off the carpet surface. It is caused by traffic patterns or unevenness in the floor, but is NOT a carpet defect. Loop pile and many hard-twist carpets are not affected by this.

Sprouting

If tufts appear above the surface of the carpet, DO NOT pull them out, cut them level with the surrounding tufts using small scissors.

Colour change

The carpet may change colour over time for a variety of reasons, usually due to pile flattening, gradual soiling and slight fading of the dyes used to colour the fibres. A good professional cleaning will usually restore the carpet's appearance.

Draught marking

Carpets may show increased soiling around the edges of a room, under doors and near air ducts. This is called draught marking, soil filtration or fogging and is caused by the pile fibres filtering out dirt particles from the air blowing under skirting boards or doors, or from ducts.

For further information or to find your nearest WoolSafe Certified Operator, visit www.woolsafe.org or use the reader enquiry system.

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