Resources

Wool Carpet Flooring: Benefits and Care

100% wool carpets ensure a healthy, eco-friendly and sustainable soft floor surface that is durable, easy to clean and long lasting.

Wool is a natural and rapidly-renewable resource. In the ETH wool carpet collection, carpet backing is made of jute, a natural fiber grown in India and Bangladesh. Jute is a plentiful and highly-renewable resource. The result is an ultra-low toxicity floor covering which actually improves indoor air quality for your health and comfort. Wool carpets are available in several styles and many colours which suit most decorating needs. They meet and exceed the high standards demanded by both the environmental movement and by individuals with high sensitivity to chemical toxins.

Why Buy Wool Carpets?

Wool is Durable

The natural crimp of wool allows it to spring back quickly after compression and retain its original shape. Woolen carpets look good much longer than carpets made from synthetic fibers, even in high traffic areas. Museums are filled with fine examples of wool rugs dating back hundreds of years.

Wool is Warm

The natural crimp of wool creates millions of tiny pockets that trap air and act as the ideal insulator. The trapped air helps maintain a constant temperature in both hot and cold weather, in a way that no synthetic fiber has ever done. This trait allows sheep to live in environments ranging from freezing mountainous areas to arid desert plains.

Wool is Quiet

Those same millions of air pockets make wool a great sound insulator, often used in concert halls to create the best acoustics. In your home, wool carpet will minimize sound transmissions between floors and rooms.

Wool is Safe

Wool's fibre structure and natural tendency to absorb moisture from the environment mean that it is one of the hardest fibres to ignite, and the easiest to extinguish. Drop a burning cigarette on a wool carpet and the charred tips of the fibre can simply brushed away. The same cigarette dropped on a carpet made of a synthetic fibre will likely melt a visible spot.

Wool is Anti-Static

Wool's ability to absorb moisture prevents the build up of static electricity, which makes wool carpets not only more comfortable to walk on but also more practical for rooms containing computer and electrical equipment.

Wool is Soft

If you enjoy the pleasures of an informal lifestyle and relax in your home by sitting or walking barefoot, wool carpet is meant for you! Nothing compares to the pleasure of soft wool carpet under your bare feet.

Wool is Anti-Allergenic

Allergies are on the rise around the world. Exposure to synthetic materials is consider a to be a possible contributor. Wool fibres are too long and course to be inhaled and, being a natural fibee, won't give off harmful emissions. Wool has a breathable fiber structure that does not promote the growth of bacteria and dust mites.

Wool is Easy to Clean

Wool is a naturally soil and stain resistant fibre. Wool fibres have developed these properties to keep sheep clean in their harsh rugged environments. In your home, wool carpet will repel stains and soiling, keeping them on top of the pile for ease of cleaning.

Wool is Environmentally Friendly

Wool is a natural, sustainable, biodegradable, and rapidly renewable resource that has the least environmental impact of all carpet fibres. Wool is the only carpet fibee made without petroleum—a finite and non-biodegradable resource.

Wool is a Good Investment

Wool carpets are a bit more expensive to buy, compared to synthetic fibre carpet alternatives. However, they are less expensive in the long run, if you amortize your investment over the much longer time of its use. Not counting the priceless benefits to your health and our environment.

How To Care for Your Wool Carpets?

Prolonging the life of your carpet will minimize the impact on the environment. Regular maintenance will maintain the carpet's noise reduction and thermal insulation properties, and enhance its long-term performance. We encourage you to vacuum your carpet regularly as well as having your wool carpets cleaned by certified carpet cleaners every 1-2 years.

In the meantime, there are going to be everyday spills requiring some attention. What treatment method is the best? The answer to this question can vary, so we've put together a short list of do'’s and don'ts, as well as a spot removal chart to help you figure out how to proceed.

Do

  1. Call us before you try commercially available do-it-yourself methods. We can check our records regarding carpet type and fibre construction and advise you of the best method.
  2. Before applying any chemical product to your carpet, it is always a good idea to test the solution on a small inconspicuous area, perhaps in a closet. If the solution does stain the carpet, it will remain unnoticed.

Don't

  1. Do not use alkaline soaps.
  2. Do not use ammonia.
  3. Do not use cleaning fluids meant for wood, tile, or hard surfaces, as these will damage your carpet.
What our clients say
  • Dependable, reliable, professional and precise. I have worked with European Touch Hardwood for 15 years and these qualities are still in place today. whether they are installing a factory finished or an on-site finished hardwood flooring. Great people! Great floors!
    Glen Leitch G. Leitch Contracting, Coquitlam
  • VCG Builders has been using European Touch Hardwood Inc. for over 15 years. Their pricing is always competitive, their scheduling reliable, and their quality and commitment are superb.
    Gream Webb VCG Builders, Vancouver
  • I purchased flooring from ETH in September 2009 and again in November 2010. I appreciate the excellent advice, first class service, and the professional installation quality you provided. Thank you,
    Ian MacKinnon North Vancouver
  • European Touch did two flooring jobs for me in the past two years. On both occasions, they showed up on time, coordinated the different aspects of work, and were respectful of our house and privacy as we lived through both renovations. Renovating is always disruptive but the team at European Touch Hardwood made it much easier. The floors are great!
    Bruce Blasberg North Vancouver
  • We first retained the services of European Touch six years ago after having interviewed several hardwood flooring companies, and have since used them exclusively for our last three home renovations. We have found them to be exceptionally knowledgeable about their products. They provided competitive and accurate estimates, and offered full attention to detail and quality workmanship. The installations were completed by their own installers, on-time and with an excellent follow-up service. We would not hesitate to recommend the services of European Touch Hardwood.
    Michael van Blokland Yaletown-Vancouver
  • In 2008, I employed European Touch Hardwood Inc. to special order and install African Wenge flooring in my newly purchased condo. The high standard of the product and its subsequent expert installation exceeded my expectations. I would not hesitate to recommend European Hardwoods for their outstanding service, excellent standards, and attention to detail
    Margaret Horsman Vancouver
  • Why has ETH been my company of choice for various projects over the past ten years? Value for money. Extensive product knowledge. Exquisite installations. Quintessential professional service and work flow. Shopping for the floor in their stylish showroom is also a pleasure.
    Stan Baran Maple Ridge
  • European Touch supplied and installed a wide plank oak floor in our house. It was an outstanding and meticulous installation. The floor is a stand out feature in our contemporary renovated kitchen.
    Nick & Michelle Biggar Principal mcfarlane/green/biggar ARCHITECTURE+DESIGN, North Vancouver
  • A brief note of commendation to the Managers of ETH: we were well served by your Office Manager over 3 separate purchases covering the past 18 months. Your Estimator was gracious, competent and pleasure to work with. Finally, our staircase installer was magnificent! His pride in his work is commendable. The staircase he covered and finished is a feature in our home. Nice to do business with you!
    David Langmuir Vancouver
  • I wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did on my old oak floor. Also, it was great to come home and find everything clean. I was expecting a lot of dust but this was not the case. The movers did a terrific job and they were kind enough to put padding on the dining room chairs and some other furniture; I should have done it myself. Thank you to you and the people who did my floors and moved my furniture.
    Karen Gibbons Surrey
  • We've engaged European Touch Hardwood Inc. on several properties going back 20 years, and every time the experience was fabulous. No surprises, no hassles. When they commit, they deliver. The quality of the flooring is only exceeded by their service. We wouldn't trust our floors to anyone else. You can pay more, just not get more!
    Steve Medicoff Calgary
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