Why is my new wool carpet shedding?

So, if you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why is my new wool carpet shedding? Am I going to have a bald carpet soon?” then keep reading because I’ve invited an expert to help us get to the bottom of it.

I know some of you may want to see the Interview that brought us to this blog, so check us out below:

For those who love to read, happy reading…

What is Carpet Shedding?

First off, let’s clarify what carpet shedding is. It’s the loose fibres that you often find on the surface of your carpet. They accumulate in your vacuum bag and sometimes loiter around your room even after you clean the carpet. It’s especially common with new carpets, and some types are more prone to shedding than others.

Our Expert’s Personal Experience

So, years ago, I advised a friend in Cambridge to get a beautiful wool carpet for her new home. On my recommendation, she even bought a fancy vacuum cleaner, a Sebo. Two weeks later, she called me in panic mode. “My vacuum cleaner stopped working,” she said. Intrigued, I went over to her house, and what did I find? The vacuum cleaner hose and bag were jam-packed with fibres from her new wool carpet! She was scared that her new carpet was going to end up bald!

Why Does Shedding Happen?

Our resident carpet guru, Pierre, gave us a simple yet scientific breakdown of why this happens. When carpets are made, they use fibres to create the yarns that make up the tufts. These fibres could be synthetic, like nylon or polypropylene, or natural, like wool.

• Synthetic Fibers: These are long, continuous fibres that are pretty resilient. They are less likely to shed because they have been made by pushing melted plastic through tiny holes.
• Natural Fibers (Wool): They make these from sheep’s wool, and these fibres are not continuous but shorter. They are more susceptible to breakage and, thus, shedding.

What About the Wool Carpets?

Wool carpets are beautiful but notorious for shedding, mainly because wool is more brittle. That brittleness isn’t necessarily bad, though. In high-traffic areas like pubs, wool carpets maintain their clean look because the brittle fibres break off, taking dirt and grime with them. It’s like a natural cleaning system.

Is Shedding a Bad Thing?

Not necessarily! Shedding doesn’t usually affect the overall look or durability of the carpet. Seeing your vacuum cleaner bag filling up fast might be alarming, but it doesn’t mean your carpet is going bald. Generally, the shedding slows down after a few weeks once all the loose fibres have been removed.

What Can You Do?

1. Vacuum Regularly: This helps remove the loose fibres more quickly.
2. Choose the Right Vacuum: A vacuum cleaner with good suction and a brush roll will help lift off the loose fibres effectively.
3. Consult with Professionals: If you’re really concerned, it’s always good to consult with a professional who can advise you on the best carpet material for your home.

Carpet shedding isn’t usually a sign of a problem; it’s more like a phase most new carpets go through. So, there is no need to panic; your carpet isn’t going bald anytime soon! It’s just growing up.

Thanks for sticking with me through this fluffy topic. Until next time, happy homemaking!

Written by Tracey Gilbey, Marketing and Admin Coordinator at Art of Clean.

For further advice or information on our Carpet and Soft Furnishing care, please do not hesitate to contact the Art of Clean team on 01223 901551 in Cambridge. Our services include Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, oriental and area Rug Cleaning, Curtain Cleaning, Patio, and Driveway Pressure washing, Leather Cleaning, Stone and Tile Floor Cleaning, and Wood Floor Sanding and Restoration. We also supply new flooring and carpets through our sister company Art of Flooring. Our Dry-Cleaning service is provided by Farthings Cambridge