Tips & Advice – How to buy carpet
First things first – you need to measure your room(s).
Alternatively, you can book a FREE Home Visit / Measuring Service with one of our professional carpet team, by simply calling us directly or completing the online form.
It would also be lovely if you could pop in, see what we have to offer, and get a feel for colours and patterns, or we can bring some swatches with us.
We’ll ask if you’d like samples to view in your own environment and natural light.
We strongly recommend borrowing samples to avoid any regrets later.
If possible, invest in new underlay – it’s proven to extend the life of your carpet by up to 40%.
We fit everything we sell, and our final price includes fitting. Don’t be misled by offers of ‘free fitting’ – fitting is a skilled job, and you’ll be paying for it somewhere.
Finally, buy the best floor covering you can afford. As with most things, you get what you pay for.
We’re different from many of the carpet companies out there. We’re a family-run business, and you’ll get the personal touch. We’re with you all the way, and our after-sales support is second to none.
Rug Care
Did you buy a top quality rug from us, and are now panicking because you don’t want to ruin it from every day ware?
Leave it in the sun once or twice a year, if you can find some, with the sun facing the back of the rug to destroy enzymes.
Lightly vacuum the back and front of the rug once a week, please do not vacuum the fringes if it has them.
Beat the rug once a year over a washing line to remove dust and dirt embedded deep in the pile.
Turn regularly to ensure the wear of the rug is even.
Comb or brush out fringes using a broad tooth brush.
Use protectors on chair legs or tables to protect the rug.
Treatment Procedures
Below are a few options for treating fresh stains on your carpet. Be careful using cleaning fluids, if you are unsure give us call and we will be able to arrange a professional clean.
Clean using a dry cleaning fluid
Scrape or blot up excess spill using a dry towel/cloth. Blot, do not rub. Repeat with dry cleaning fluid application. Dry with weighted pad of towels (blot, don’t rub).
Clean using a detergent solution
Apply detergent solution (see ‘Cleaning Solutions’) using a damp towel, leave 3-5 minutes. Blot, do not rub. If stain is removed, finish with a water rinse, blot, followed with a pad of weighted paper towels. If stain not removed continue as follows. Apply hydrogen peroxide solution (see ‘Cleaning Solutions’) let stand 2 to 3 hours under a weighted sheet of plastic wrap. Repeat application of hydrogen peroxide and dry under weighted plastic wrap until removal is complete. Apply water with damp towel. Blot – Dry with weighted pad of paper towels. Apply undiluted white vinegar, only after stain is removed.
Clean using ammonia
Scrape or blot up excess spill using a damp towel. Blot, do not rub. Apply water with damp towel. Blot – Dry with weighted pad of towels. Apply undiluted white vinegar, only after stain is removed.
Clean using ice
Scrape or blot up excess spill. Freeze with ice cubes. Shatter with blunt object such as the back of a spoon. Vacuum chips away before they melt.
Clean using Nail Polish Remover
Apply nail polish remover, non-oily acetone type – use cotton towel to apply the spill. Do not wet through to carpet backing. Pick up softened material – use clean white paper towel and push towards the centre of the spot to avoid spreading the material. Repeat above – soften and carefully remove a layer of the material each time. Haste may spread the stain and/or damage the carpet.
Clean using warm iron
Scrape off excess material. Cover with white cotton towel or brown paper. Apply warm iron until material is absorbed. Be sure towel is large enough to cover the stained area. Take care never to let the iron touch the carpet as the fibre may melt. Change towel or rotate to clean area and repeat until all area is absorbed.
Vacuuming
Vacuum away as much as possible. Loosen remaining material by tapping with a scrubbing brush or toothbrush. Tap with brush, do not scrub. Vacuum again.
Cleaning Solutions
Detergents: Mix 1 / 4 teaspoon clear, hand/dish washing detergent with 1 cup of warm water.
Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 1 / 2 cup with 1 teaspoon ammonia.
Ammonia: undiluted, unscented, clear, household ammonia.
Dry Cleaning Fluid: Liquid, non-oily, non caustic
IMPORTANT – Some spillages despite early attention i.e. bleach, plant foods, hot tea, hot coffee and fruit cordials may result in the permanent staining of the carpet, please make sure you home insurance covers accidental damage.
Wool Carpet Care
Take your shoes off – it’s not just mucky footprints you’ll prevent; soles with grips can damage carpet pile.
Vacuum every day. That’s right, every day. If your vacuum has a beater bar or brush head, even better. Always turn it off if you can, when you’ve got a loop pile carpet.
Move things around a little – reorganising your furniture can reduce wear and tear in certain places.
When carpet pile starts to look flat, vacuum against the pile to help lift it.
If your new carpet is shedding fluff, vacuum it regularly so it doesn’t clog the pile.
Deal with spills quickly so they’re less likely to stain. Mop up spills quickly and gently using a clean white cloth – don’t rub.
Don’t believe the old wife’s tales – salt and white wine aren’t good for cleaning red wine or anything else! (See us. We have the best stain removers)
If you’re using cleaning products on spills. Make sure they’re designed for wool carpets.
If in doubt, call in the experts. Your carpet is a big investment so it’s worth getting help with a tricky stain.
When your new carpet is fitted, you might notice a few little niggles while it’s getting settled in. Don’t worry they’re totally normal and won’t last long.
Shedding – all new wool carpets shed to begin with. Just vacuum regularly to stop it clogging up the pile.
Sprouting tufts – occasionally little tufts are missed when carpets are sheared smooth, and these can work their way to the surface. Never pull them, just cut them off with sharp scissors level with the rest of the carpet.
Hope this has helped some of you and if you need to know more don’t hesitate to phone or email us.
Wool vs Synthetic
Which is better: Wool vs. Synthetic?
Below are a few things to think of before you make your final choice.
If your main concern are stains (juice, pets, tea…), then synthetic may be the best option, as most are stain resistant, from basic synthetic fibres, to those treated with Teflon and other solutions.
No carpet is spill proof, but if a spill were left to soak into a wool carpet, it would eventually seep past the natural oils in the wool, and stain the fibre permanently.
Whereas in a synthetic carpet, if a spill were to be left for some time, you’re more likely to get the stain out with a heavy duty PH neutral stain removal solution. This is because the stain usually cannot penetrate into the synthetic fibres like it can natural fibres such as wool.
If your main concern is lifespan & durability, wool is recommended. A wool carpet can last a lifetime. Each wool fibre has a three- dimensional spiral shape, like a crimp. Giving it elasticity. This elasticity means that a wool fibre can stretch up to a third its original length and then bounce back just like a miniature spring. You will get the same reaction when it’s compressed. Resilience. Something wool is born with. This natural resilience permits wool carpet to withstand all the day-to-day traffic you can give it. A good wool carpet can recover easily from the unsightly crushing caused by furniture.
General dirt is not considered a stain. Wool carpet has the ability to repel day to day dirt, like a micro-fibre cloth attracts it.
The way wool is constructed on a microscopic level and the natural oils found in wool, means the dirt stays on top of the carpet. You can vacuum it up with ease.
Synthetic carpets are harder to keep clean from this perspective.
Remember we’re here to help. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch