What makes wool so desirable?

Hint: "It's the look, feel, and performance."

Wool is a biodegradable and renewable resource produced using methods that are friendly to the environment. It's also naturally durable, flame-retardant and resistant to dirt and crushing. High-quality wool can be dyed to create sophisticated and complex colors and wool simply looks better, longer. Wool ages better than any other fibre for the floor, developing a rich patina and subtle lustre.

Wool carpets and rugs are fire safe

Wool is the choice for areas that demand the most stringent flammability characteristics. The natural structure and make-up of wool makes it naturally flame retardant, difficult to ignite, and wool self-extinguishes. Click here for more infomation and technical details.

Wool absorbs contaminants in the air

Wool rapidly absorbs common contaminants from the air, improving the indoor air quality and helping you breathe easier. Wool will not re-release these contaminants back into the environment, even when heated. These properties are naturally inherent in wool and do not require any additional "treatments". See here for more details.

Wool is Naturally Resilient

Wool is a real stand up fibre. And neither foot traffic, nor the weight of furniture will compromise its crush-proof good looks for years to come.

Each wool fibre has a three-dimensional spiralling crimp that gives it natural elasticity.This elasticity means that a wool fibre can stretch up to 30% more than its original length and then bounce back like a miniature spring.Wool reacts the same way when it's compressed. That's because wool is "born" with resilience. This natural resilience enables wool carpet to withstand all the day-to-day traffic you can give it. And wool carpets recover easily from the unsightly crushing caused by furniture. The resiliency of each wool fibre contributes greatly to the superior appearance retention of wool carpet.

•Top image: Long and beautiful wool of the Himalayan Sheep.
• Second image: Uncarded Himalayan (Tibetan) wool.
• Third image: The highly skilled art of hand spinning.
• Fourth image: Look carefully at the outer layer of a wool fiber.
Stains have a hard time sticking to that armadillo like cuticle.

Tibetan SheepTibetan Wool before carding Hand Spinning YarnWool, upclose and personal

General Guidelines for Rug Care

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  1. To prolong your rug's life, J. ASHER recommends the use of a rug pad.

    We can recommend proper padding options for your particular rug and situation.

  2. Never allow your wall-to-wall carpet company or
    other in-home cleaning services to clean area rugs.

    These types of cleaning services cannot reach dirt embedded in the foundation.

    Professional cleaning should only be done 'off-site' - avoid 'in-house' services.
    The deepest clean can only be accomplished by a trained professional in a controlled environment.
    Nothing can be more damaging to a rug than poor or improper cleaning

  3. Improper drying and over saturation of soap and water
    may cause permanent warping.

    This is another reason why professionals should clean your rug in controlled conditions.

  4. Rotate your rug 180 degrees every 1-2 years.

    Exposing high traffic areas to different parts of a rug guarantees more even wear over time.

  5. Vacuum at least 1 time every 2 weeks.

    Removing excess dirt slows down the aging process.
    Loose dirt embedded in the pile of a rug grinds the fibers creating unnecessary premature wear.
    For hand-tufted rugs, it is advisable that vacuums without 'beater bars' are used,
    as they are less durable than handknotted rugs.

  6. For heavy traffic areas, vacuum the BACK of the rug at least once every 2-3 years.

    By vacuuming the back of the rug, dirt and dust are 'shaken' out of the rug's foundation.
    It will take some time to do this, as it must be done slowly,
    for example a 9x12 rug would require 15-20 minutes.
    Once complete, turn the rug over and vacuum the front and repeat again or until nothing shakes out.

  7. Address stains and spills immediately!

    Lift as much as possible without rubbing.
    For basic food stains etc, club soda or seltzer is a good spot cleaner.
    IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE RUG IS THOROUGHLY DRY before being put back on the floor.

Quick Cleaning Instructions

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  1. Scoop up any solid matter first

    "Make sure to remove the material without rubbing it into the fibers."

  2. Blot up as much liquid as possible using a clean white absorbent towel or sponge.

    "Always work from outside the stain towards the interior to avoid spreading."

  3. Clean with the appropriate treatment from the cleaning guide (See Below).

    "All cleaning agents should be tested on an inconspicuous area of carpet before use.
    Apply the cleaning agent to a clean white cloth - not directly to the carpet.
    Remember that to avoid spreading the stain, start from the outside of the stained area and
    work towards the center. Do not rub or scrub your carpet."

  4. Rinse carefully with cold water using a clean cloth.

    "Cloth is preferable to paper towels, but in an emergency, grab what you can!"

  5. Blot dry with an absorbant towel, or use a cold air fan to complete drying.

    "This can take time, and you may need to repeat this entire process, patience is good."

  6. Click here to learn about the wool cleaning kit that we provide
    in cooperation with the Wools of New Zealand.

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