Now is the perfect time to clean any wool products in the home, as the warmer days are ideal for allowing them to air dry. Wool is an extremely durable material and, with the right care, can be used for many years.
Here are some spring cleaning tips to help you take care of your wool mattresses, rugs and bedding, courtesy of British Wool.
Wool mattress
Known for their comfort and breathability, wool mattresses are a great choice for a good night’s sleep – and they also don’t require a lot of effort in the cleaning department.
Use a soft brush to gently brush the surface of your mattress to remove any dust or fluff. While some mattress surfaces can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, this should be avoided when it comes to wool as it can upset the loose filling. Then, using dry towels to begin with, lightly compress the mattress to draw out moisture within the wool fibres.
You can then spot clean with a damp towel on any small marks, and finally, try to stand your mattress upright to allow it to air dry fully. Wool fibres love to breathe and this is an essential final step in the spring cleaning process.
Rebecca Mayes at Harrison Spinks says: “It’s key to avoid soaking your wool mattress when cleaning – you want to use gentle, circular motions to remove stains. We would always recommend using a bleach-free, unscented laundry powder or some washing up liquid diluted with a small amount of water – this will keep your mattress fresh and clean while ensuring its longevity.”
Wool rugs
Wool rugs are a wonderful addition to the home – they’re cosy and have a comfortable bounce-back quality. Taking good care of them is important to maintain this elasticity and keep them looking lovely in your home for years to come.
Start by vacuuming your rug thoroughly on both sides to lift any dirt and dust before moving onto stains. Wool naturally absorbs moisture, so it is crucial to avoid over-wetting wool rugs when cleaning stains. It’s also important to avoid using harsh detergents or chemicals as these can damage wool fibres.
“Use water or a WoolSafe approved spot cleaner on a microfibre cloth to remove rug stains,” advises Lisa Conway at Brintons. “Always remember to spray the cloth instead of directly onto the rug – keeping in mind wool’s absorbent nature, wetting the rug directly will force the stain to spread wider and deeper. We’d recommend testing a small area on the rug first to make sure the product doesn’t cause any damage.”
Scrubbing is also a big no-no when it comes to cleaning wool rugs, particularly with any new spills that occur – dab at the spot instead so that the cloth absorbs the spill instead of your rug.
Wool bedding
Like wool mattresses, wool bedding is very easy to care for as wool has self-cleaning properties which prevent it from holding onto odours and dust. Each product will have more specific cleaning and care instructions, but there are some general rules to follow when spring cleaning your bedding.
Wool bedding does not need to be washed regularly – it benefits hugely from regular airing and this generally can be done when you change your bedlinen, so long as it’s aired at least every few weeks. When it does come to your spring clean and washing your bedding, make sure to use a low temperature wool cycle, ideally 30 degrees, and a gentle spin setting to remove excess water.
Chris Tattersall at Woolroom says: “It’s important to use a detergent that’s designed for washing wool when cleaning your wool bedding. Don’t wander off and forget to take it out of the machine either. The sooner you can get it out once the cycle has finished, the better.
“Allow your bedding to fully dry before making your bed again – this is best done outside, however if you don’t have an outdoor space, draping them over a clothes airer next to an open window will do the trick.”
