Wool carpet is often misunderstood when it comes to maintenance and its redeeming properties, but Vifloor Canada is here to set the record straight – someone has been spinning a yarn.
The fact of the matter is, wool is the most natural, chemical-free fibre that delivers soft, luxurious carpet and is perfectly suited for area rugs, runners or installed wall-to-wall for maximum comfort, durability and longevity.
That’s why we’re setting the record straight and debunking five of the most pervasive myths about wool carpets.
1) Myth: It’s hard to clean stains out of wool
Truth: Wool has properties that make it resistant to dirt and spilled liquids.
That doesn’t mean it’s impermeable, but it does mean that when accidents happen, wool is less prone to permanent damage than other fibres on the market.
Spot-treating spills as soon as possible is the most effective way to stop stains from forming. Rubbing them may make matters worse, because it pushes liquid sitting on the wool’s surface deeper into the material. Start by gently blotting the carpet with a clean cloth or paper towel.
If any evidence of the spill remains, you likely keep many solutions around the home or office that can be used to treat stains, including water, vinegar and clear dishwashing liquid.
For a full breakdown on how to remove different kinds of stains, check out Vifloor Canada’s handy stain removal guide.
![Wool is less prone to permanent damage than other fibres on the market.]()
2) Myth: Carpets are bad for people with allergies
Truth: Wool carpets are hypoallergenic and can improve indoor air quality.
Wool fibres act as nature’s air filtration system. Their crinkled structure makes them perfect for capturing floating dust particles and atmospheric moisture, ultimately improving indoor air quality.
There is a diminishing point of returns, though. Let a carpet sit for too long without any maintenance, and dirt and humidity may accumulate, triggering those allergies.
Which takes us to our next myth.
3) Myth: Maintenance takes excessive time, effort and money
Truth: Light upkeep will keep your wool carpet looking like new.
Listen, it does take some effort to take care of a carpet, but that could be said about almost any piece of décor, surface or appliance.
The most expensive aspect of carpet ownership is having it professionally cleaned, using a hot water extraction method which we suggest doing every 12 to 18 months. However, you can proactively prolong the period between cleanings, saving you time and money.
The best thing you can do to maintain your wool carpet, aside from spot cleaning, is to vacuum it regularly to dislodge debris and suck away moisture, especially in high-traffic areas. We define “regularly” as once a week, but you can determine what works for your schedule.
4) Myth: Wool carpets wear out and lose their spring
Truth: Wool’s strong fibres will retain their shape over time.
Some fear that too much vacuuming, water or over-use will ruin the pile of their carpet.
Here’s where the crinkled and coiled structure of wool fibres comes into play once again. Even after being twisted, turned, and stretched, its natural elasticity ensures it will spring back to its original shape.
Wool wears gracefully and can preserve its original appearance for a long time.
![Strong fibres will retain their shape over time.]()
5) Myth: Wool carpets are only good for aesthetics
Truth: Wool carpets help keep your home comfortable
Investing in a wool carpet doesn’t just look good – it feels good, especially underfoot.
It can save you money on utilities in the long-run because it acts like an extra layer of insulation, preventing heat-loss through hard floors during the colder seasons and keeping your indoor climate cool during the heat of summer.
We could go on about all the ways that wool carpets are better than the rest, like their versatility and how they are made from renewable and environmentally friendly material.
For now, we’ll end on this: at Vifloor Canada, we love wool carpets for all the reasons we’ve touched on above – and that’s a truth we can stand confidently on.