Any cleaning process on wool rugs should avoid using high PH solutions to avoid damaging the natural fibers. Extra care must also be given to avoid leaving wool carpets wet in that if wool is left wet for more than 14 hours a yellowing or browning condition can occur that can be irreversible. Another important step performed in cleaning area rugs over traditional carpeting is the color fast test to check for bleeding potential. This is performed by applying a solution on a white towel and firmly applying it to the rug fibers. Should any coloring appear on the towel then the potential for bleeding exists and alternative methods will be discussed. 

A condition that is unique to some area rugs is the phenomenon of shading.  Shading can occur on new or old area rugs and is a condition where fibers will unexplainably bend in an opposite direction from the main flow of fibers.  The bending of the fibers is only detectable due to the color reflection becomes distorted and there will appear to be a shaded area in the rug. This condition is not normally detectible prior to a cleaning, but only after the cleaning has occurred.  Prior to the cleaning this condition is hidden due to the uniform distribution of dirt on the rug.  When the dirt has been removed the condition reveals itself.  

Any cleaning process on wool rugs should avoid using high PH solutions to avoid damaging the natural fibers. Extra care must also be given to avoid leaving wool carpets wet in that if wool is left wet for more than 14 hours a yellowing or browning condition can occur that can be irreversible. Another important step performed in cleaning area rugs over traditional carpeting is the color fast test to check for bleeding potential. This is performed by applying a solution on a white towel and firmly applying it to the rug fibers. Should any coloring appear on the towel then the potential for bleeding exists and alternative methods will be discussed. 

A condition that is unique to some area rugs is the phenomenon of shading.  Shading can occur on new or old area rugs and is a condition where fibers will unexplainably bend in an opposite direction from the main flow of fibers.  The bending of the fibers is only detectable due to the color reflection becomes distorted and there will appear to be a shaded area in the rug. This condition is not normally detectible prior to a cleaning, but only after the cleaning has occurred.  Prior to the cleaning this condition is hidden due to the uniform distribution of dirt on the rug.  When the dirt has been removed the condition reveals itself.