Synthetic vs Wool Carpet: Tailoring Cleaning Methods for Best Results
Cleaning your carpet can be a precise process. Using the wrong method or products can be ineffective and damage your carpet. One consideration is the material your carpet is made of. By comparing synthetic vs wool carpet, you can choose the best material for your home or figure out how to clean the carpet you already have.
Cleaning wool carpets
Wool fibres outer layer are made up of overlapping scales which naturally make it stain-resistant. It is also fire resistant, so won't melt. As a hard-wearing material, wool can withstand busy lifestyles. However, there are still some tips you should keep in mind when cleaning your wool carpet.
Act quickly
While wool is stain-resistant, spillages will soak in if left too long. This makes it even more important that you deal with stains right away.
Treat for insects
As a natural material, wool is very attractive to pests such as moths and carpet beetles. There are treatments that can be applied to your carpet to repel pests, but you should tackle any bug sightings right away to prevent an infestation.
Choose products carefully
Using products that are alkaline can damage a wool carpet. Make sure that any product you use is suitable for natural fibres. WoolSafe-approved products are the ideal choice as they are tested and approved for use on wool and other quality fibers. If in doubt, bring in a professional carpet cleaner.
Avoid saturation
No carpet should be saturated, but wool carpets take a particularly long time to dry. This can damage the floor underneath and distort the carpet. Consider dry cleaning your carpet to avoid getting it wet.
Cleaning synthetic carpets
Nylon, polyester and polypropylene carpets are all synthetic. Synthetic carpets can be treated with stain resistance. However, they are more vulnerable to sun damage than wool carpet. Make sure you know which synthetic material your carpet is made of, as this can make the best cleaning method different.
Be careful of oil-based stains
Oil-based substances can stain synthetic carpet very easily. You should always tackle spills right away, but pay special attention when spilling oil-based substances. Take a look at our guides to figure out how to tackle stains on your carpet.
Beware of crushing
Synthetic carpets can crush very easily, particularly if they are made of polyester or polypropylene. When cleaning your carpet, it is important to blot instead of scrubbing. You should also brush it regularly to maintain its shape.
Vacuum gently
Due to their easily crushed nature, synthetic carpets work best with suction-only vacuums. If your synthetic carpet is made of nylon, it maybe be able to withstand the beater bar slightly better, but be careful with other synthetic materials. If your vacuum has a brush, you should adjust it to be as far away from the carpet as possible, to prevent pilling and frizzing.
Hire a professional carpet cleaner
Professional carpet cleaners are experts in identifying carpet and cleaning it the right way. Every National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) cleaner has undertaken extensive training in order to receive our accreditation. Using your postcode, you can find our carpet cleaners located all over the UK.
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