The natural benefits of New Zealand wool help make wool carpets keep their good looks longer.

• The naturally scaly surface of wool fibre makes it soil resistant. Soil will be held high in the carpet pile, so it can easily be removed by vacuuming.
• Wool has natural elasticity, so it stands up to everyday wear and tear and resists unsightly crushing from furniture.
• Wool fibre's natural coating prevents penetration by water-based liquids. This is especially beneficial, because around 80% of household spills are water-based.

Combined with an effective maintenance plan, these natural benefits will make it easy to look after your wool carpets. All you have to do is follow the three simple steps set out below. You will be delighted with how your carpet looks year after year. Furthermore, you will relax in the knowledge your carpet is always hygienically clean.



STEP 1: VACUUMING
When it comes to keeping your carpet looking good and hygienically clean, you can never over vacuum. As a rule, vacuum at least once a week, more often in heavy traffic areas. Be thorough- vacuum under furniture, behind curtains and where your carpet meets the wall.

Quick tips:

• Be sure your vacuum cleaner is suitable for your type of carpet. A vacuum with a rotating brush is best for low cut pile carpets, but turn the brush off, or change the head for loop pile or berber carpet to prevent excess fluffing.
• If you vacuum has a bag, empty it regularly to ensure your vacuum doesn't lose suction.

STEP 2: CLEAN SPILLS IMMEDIATELY
Stains can easily be prevented by ACTING QUICKLY when spills occur. Even when time is not on your side, follow this simple removal process, use the correct cleaning agent, and you'll be delighted with the difference you can make.

SCOOP up solids before cleaning.	BLOT out as much liquid as possible using a clean white absorbent towel or sponge.	CLEAN with the correct cleaning agent. Apply the cleaning agent on to clean towel - not directly on your carpet.
RINSE with cold or lukewarm water.	BLOT DRY with an absorbent towel, or use a cold air fan to complete drying.

DO NOT RUB OR SCRUB YOUR WOOL CARPET AS THIS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT PILE DISTORTION.

Cleaning Guide
(Begin with Step One and proceed to Step Two or Three if necessary.)	Type of treatment
Stain   Step One   Step Two   Step Three  Alcoholic beverages 1 2   Bleach 1 13   Blood 1 2   Butter 4 2   Candle Wax 10 4   Chewing Gum 5 4   Chocolate 4 2   Coffee 1 2 6 Colas & soft drinks 1 2   Cooking oil 4 2   Cream 2 4   Egg 2 13   Faeces 2 3 13 Floor wax 4 2   Fruit juice 1 2   Furniture polish 4 2   Gravy & sauces 7 2   Ink (ballpoint pen) 9 2   Ink (felt tip pen) 4 2   Lipstick 4 2   Milk 2 4   Mustard 2     Nail Polish 8 4   Oil & grease 4 2   Paint (Oil based) 12 4   Paint (acrylic) 1 2   Rust 6 13   Salad dressing 2 4   Shoe Polish 4 2   Soot 11 4   Tar 12 4   Tea 1 2 6 Tomato sauce 7 2   Urine (fresh) 1 2 3 Urine (old stain) 13     Vomit 2 3 6 Wine 1 2 6 Unknown material 4 2	Cold water. One teaspoon of wool detergent (for example, Softly) with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water. Clear household disinfectant. Dry cleaning solvent such as White Spirits or Murlex (Available from hardware stores). Use only on dry carpet. Chill with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick or scrape off gum. Mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Warm water. Nail polish remover (should not contain lanolin). Surgical alcohol. Place absorbent paper over wax and apply hot iron to paper. Wax will melt and be absorbed by the paper. Vacuum clean. Mineral turpentine. Seek assistance from a preofessional carept clearner.

STEP 3: PROFESSIONAL CLEANING
Professional cleaning once every one to two years will do wonders to revitalise your carpet and keep it hygienically clean. It is an essential step in looking after your carpet and a significant factor in ensuring your carpet lasts longer.

The 2 most important things to remember when organising professional cleaning are:

1. Don't wait until your carpets look dirty before professional cleaning. By then, it could be too late.
2. Only use a qualified professional.

Carpet cleaning is a science requiring skills and expertise that can only be obtained through formal training. Untrained operators may do your carpet more harm than good.

To help, Wools of New Zealand have established a network of Approved Wools of New Zealand WoolCare Technicians, the most highly trained and qualified carpet cleaning technicians in Australia. Membership is by invitation only to ensure the very best level of service.

Read all about Wools of New Zealand WoolCare Technicians here.

Contact Wools of New Zealand on info.nz@woolsnz.com for more information.

Or, if you are in New Zealand, The Carpet Cleaning Institute of New Zealand Incorporated will be able to give you the contact details for your closest, most qualified carpet cleaning technician. Simply call 0800 422 269.