Wool is a natural cellulosic fiber commonly used in clothing and home furnishings. The material has long been cherished for its natural beauty and remarkable resilience, making it a prized material for furnishings such as wool rugs, carpets, and upholstery. The versatile fiber not only brings warmth and texture to a space, but also boasts several positive qualities, making it practical for everyday use in busy homes. Wool’s eco-friendly nature of being renewable and biodegradable caters to the ever-growing demand for sustainable interior design solutions.
Wool comes from the fleece of a sheep or lamb, and the term “wool” can also be used to describe specialty fibers from the hair of camel, alpaca, llama, and vicuna.
The History of Wool in Furnishings
Historically, wool was one of the very first fibers to be spun into yarn and woven into textiles. Wool’s textile origins can be traced back to as early as around 4,000 BCE, when it was primarily used for rugs and tapestries in royal dwellings and sacred spaces. The Middle Ages brought the spread of wool’s popularity to several European nations, though it was still mostly reserved for heavy drapes and carpets that decorated the homes of the wealthy, adding comfort and warmth to the cold interiors of palaces and castles. It wasn’t until the innovations of the industrial revolution that brought wool production to levels that made it plausible for the average homeowner to decorate their interiors with wool textiles. Today, wool is the most produced animal fiber in the world, with Australia leading the way as the world’s top wool fiber producer.
Image Source: TextileExchange.org
Where to Install Wool
Although we are not interior designers, we are always happy to help design experts make the best decisions for their clients when it comes to optimizing the longevity and sustainability of a space. So, where is the best place in a home to enhance with wool furnishings?
Just about anywhere! Wool’s versatility allows the material to be incorporated into almost any space, adding a welcoming element of warmth and comfort. The fiber occurs naturally in a variety of shades, from white and cream to brown and black, allowing wool fabric to complement any color scheme. For living room spaces that will endure dogs and children all day every day, a wool rug will be up for the challenge with excellent resilience and durability. Though less common in upholstery, a wool sofa or chair will add a layer of warmth to your home that can’t be replicated with most other fibers. Wool rugs in high-traffic areas such as entryways and hallways are other great options, as well as wool drapery for excellent insulation in colder environments.
Caring For Wool
Despite its inherent durable and resilient qualities, wool furnishings need preventative and maintenance care too. Wool rugs and carpet— especially those with a pile1— are particularly effective at hiding soil, making it more difficult to know when it is time to vacuum or freshen up. While this is positive in some ways, it does have its drawbacks. Most soils in wool rugs and carpet are tracked in from outside. These soils act like sandpaper on the fibers, causing them to abrade and wear out.
Vacuuming
With regularly used wool rugs, carpet, and upholstery, we recommend vacuuming at least weekly; daily vacuuming is encouraged with high traffic entry or living room rugs. Just as important as the frequency in which you vacuum your wool surfaces is the type of vacuum you use. Many wool floor coverings, including most wool oriental rugs, can be vacuumed with a beater bar/brush attachment. This will help dislodge stubborn soils, including the pet hair that never seems to go away! However, loop pile constructions, such as bouclé, can be easily damaged by brushing and should be vacuumed using suction only.
Careful Lighting
Like many other fibers, wool is susceptible to light-induced color changes, or fabric fading. Initially, sunlight exposure causes wool fabric or floor coverings– even off-white wool or cream colored yarns– to become lighter. This phenomenon is called photobleaching. As sunlight exposure continues, it is also possible for your wool fabric to start degrading, taking on a yellow tone (photoyellowing). In our experience testing different “anti-fading” treatments, they simply do not work. Effective solutions for preventing wool fading from occurring include flipping your wool cushions and rotating your wool rugs. You may also consider UV blocking window films, or even covers for your furnishings if they are in direct sunlight.
Spot Cleaning Wool Rugs & Other Furnishings
As with all fabrics and floor coverings, spotting agents should be pre-tested before using on your wool surfaces. When spot cleaning wool rugs (particularly wool oriental rugs) dye bleeding is a primary concern, especially when dealing with darker colors.
Moreover, wool fibers are receptive to acidic cleaners, but they are easily damaged by alklaline (high pH) cleaners. Common examples of these store-bought cleaners include Folex and Oxiclean. While these cleaners can be effective at removing stubborn spots on many fabrics, we strongly advise avoiding use of them on your wool rugs and fabrics.
Dye bleeding on a wool rug – Pre-testing was not done prior to spot cleaning
Professional Wool Rug Cleaning
When it comes to wool rugs or any other wool furnishings, they should always be cleaned by professionals. The methods and chemistry employed by a professional is far superior to DIY consumer methods– it is one thing to freshen up furnishings, it is another to restore the beauty of wool surfaces without the risk of harming the fibers or dyes. Up to 80% of soils in your wool rug is dry particulate– particulate that acts as sandpaper to the fibers when left unchecked. Professional wool rug cleaning will not only restore but will prolong the life and beauty of your floor coverings.
Other Wool Care Notes to Consider
Insect Damage
Moths and other insects are known to be attracted to wool. Moths will lay eggs in dark areas such as under sofas or skirted chairs, leading to larvae that emerge and consume the wool fibers. Frequent vacuuming and periodic professional cleaning will prevent the issue.
Potted Plants
Leaking potted plants can inflict serious damage to wool rugs or carpets. Constant seepage of condensation on the bottom of a pot causes rotting and degradation the pile and backing of a floor covering. Never place a potted plant directly onto a wool rug or carpet and be cautious of placing a plant near one.
Fabric Protection
Fabric protection for your wool surfaces will add an extra layer of protection against spots, spills, and soils that build up over time. There are DIY options such as Scotchgard that you can apply yourself, or there are personalized fabric care systems that combine specially formulated fabric protection products with excellent spot removal and cleaning services from trained professionals. With the Fiber-Seal Fabric Care System, professional spot removal is complimentary on protected surfaces in your home or office!
