This discussion, "Wool Carpet: Cost vs. Value", in Carpet Q&A (part of the category Do-It-Yourself & Consumer Support), begins, "Thank you for the kind words.
That's not the best reason, but it is a darn good one. Seeing as ..."
That's not the best reason, but it is a darn good one. Seeing as how you mentioned it, the reason why wool carpets look so good after cleaning is wools natural 'built-in no chemicals needed' dirt soil releasing abilities. Ever wonder why our hair doesn't stain easier and cleans so well with just a gentle shampoo?
Great observation though. Hopefully we can discuss this aspect in more detail.
Here's some information I found on wool during my training here:
"Wool has a protective membrane, called a cuticle, which covers the fiber core and naturally repels water. This waxy outer coating keeps water from penetrating the individual wool fibers.
This same waterproof membrane allows the fiber to absorb moisture in vapor form and absorb up to one third its weight in moisture without feeling damp or wet. This absorbing ability also keeps the fiber naturally static free and gives the wool excellent recovery capabilities.
The cuticle also contains a scaly texture that keeps soil particles on the surface, making vacuuming much more efficient and dirt and spills easier to remove.
Wool also hides soil much better than synthetic fibers because the fibers are not transparent and soil cannot be seen through it.
Although wool's soil resistance is attractive, a common customer objection is its lack of stain resistance. Wool holds onto protein stains, like grass, tea and coffee."
PS: This is fun, because we still haven’t got to what I believe is the absolute, hands-down, best attribute of wool as a carpet fiber.
Dobby,
Please do share! This is of much interest to me. Although I've sold wool carpet in the past to those who've asked for it, this is obviously an untapped market in my area. In just a few days, I've learned much from this forum, and this is something I'd like to pursue.
Thanks, Tia
Just a quick sidenote on the center photo; notice how the outer cuticle surface is scaled {{layered like roofing shingles}}? This unique attribute actually works to resist soil from sinking deeper into the pile. In other words, it keeps the soil, lint, dust, dirt, gravel and basic stuff found on the floor, on the surface, where it can be more easily removed.
This is makes regular cleaning, with a standard vacuum, easier and far more efficient than its synthetic counterparts. In summary, it helps the carpet live better and really, performance is important, but how a carpet lives in conjunction with daily life is really what is most important. And it does this naturally, without chemicals for the life of the product.
Gotta run, but would like to leave this one thought, if I may. Understanding the characteristics and attributes of wool will not hinder anyone from selling synthetic carpets. But, it will enable the professional an additional product to offer their customers that the competition, who through fear, lack of knowledge or both, can't or won't sell. That my friends is a true competitive advantage and a giant step forward in being our customers trusted sales advisor.
Thanks for letting me share.
Dobby
Last edited by Dobby Tappet; June 16, 2007 at 08:50 AM.
Thank you so much! I have sold wool, but only when people asked for it. I was never trained on it like this, and have a different opinion now. I thought it was a more porous fiber and just soaked everything up. Come to think of it now, it is a hair fiber, and our own hair gets things on it but doesn't soak it up and stain. Huh.
Before we get too far along in this discussion... There is one aspect of wool, as a carpet fiber, that is a common source of much misinformation. This has to do with lanolin.
Lanolin, for those who may be unsure, is a purified form of wool grease.
Wool grease, is, in actuality, not a grease at all. In fact, chemically, it is a wax. If there is an interest in this subject, we can discuss it in much greater detail. Otherwise, here is a quick ‘condensed’ version. Wool grease is a natural part of a sheep’s fleece. Some sheep breeds have more grease than others and the amount of grease found in a fleece varies seasonally. Wool grease has many useful properties. On the sheep it protects the wool and acts as a bactericide. It is also used as a lubricant, as a base for expensive cosmetics, it has pharmaceutical uses and more. At one time people even used it as heating fuel. All in all, wool grease is a much more wonderful product than it’s name may convey.
But what does all this have to do with carpet?
Here’s the point of misinformation. There is no ‘lanolin’ or ‘grease’ in carpet wool.
Where did it go? It was removed in scouring. Not completely removed, only about 99.4% is removed in scouring. The remaining six-tenths of one percent is lost in dying and rinsing and processing.
Is this bad?
No, this is good. If wool grease {or lanolin as many improperly call it}} was left in the carpet fiber, it would act like a soil magnet and cause the fibers to gum together. Plus the fibers would feel greasy.
So, bottom line: Lanolin is good in many places, but not in a carpet fiber. But, that’s OK because it’s not there. Never has been and never should be.
Any thoughts, questions and/or comments? All are welcome, after all, this is a discussion forum.
I would love to ad some input to your discussion on this topic, but I am havin a heck of a time figurin out what you left out. When yer done, there aint nothin left to discuss. It"s gonna take somebody smarter than me and Lo.
When yer done, there aint nothin left to discuss. It"s gonna take somebody smarter than me and Lo.
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