Sheeps Wool and Rug Cleaning in SW Florida
Most hand-knotted Turkish, Oriental, Persian, Sarouk, Kilim, Afghan, and other area rugs are made from wool. Wool is naturally fire-resistant, durable, wrinkle, and soil-resistant, and is the fiber of choice for some of the world’s most beautiful area rugs.
Where does wool come from?
Wool is a natural fiber grown by sheep that covers most of their body. The fleece protects sheep from the weather, keeping them warm during winter and cool during the hot summer.
Woolgrowers genuinely care for their animals and the environment and are committed to doing what is best for their animals and the land. A key responsibility in caring for healthy and happy sheep involves shearing their fleece. Shearing is necessary for the welfare of sheep and if it is not done, the fleece can become overgrown and impact the animals.
What is shearing
Shearing is the process of removing the fleece, which is just like getting a haircut as the wool grows right back. It is for this reason that wool is truly renewable. Typically, shearers are highly trained in the specific practice of shearing sheep. They do so with electric shears and are able to remove the fleece in one piece. Sheep shearing is considered such a specialized skill that there are even competitions to find the best shearer each year.
Though sheep’s wool is typically collected in the spring and fall, it is the spring shearing season that tends to demonstrate the highest quality, with the absolute finest grades coming from a sheep’s neck and being referred to as kurk (or kork) wool. Today, while much of what is being used to make Oriental rugs are sourced locally from herds near areas of manufacture, the high demand for rugs often necessitates the importation of Merino wool from New Zealand.
Once the wool has been collected, it must be cleaned, graded, twisted, dyed, and then placed in the skilled and loving hands of a weaver where the end result will be a beautiful hand-woven rug. A quality hand-knotted 8X10 are rug can take over a year to weave.
Wool and silk area rugs deserve a professional hand washing
Oriental Rug Salon is a full-service Oriental and Persian rug cleaning, repair, and appraisal company serving all of Lee, Charlotte, and Collier County Florida. Our cleaning efforts are performed by hand and our efforts are in strict adherence with the New Zealand Wool Institute.
Oriental Rug Salon is an Approved WoolSafe Service Provider. We are certified with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the International Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI).
Who you choose to care for your cherished wool or silk area rugs matters. Oriental Rug Salon is the “cleaner of choice” for many of our areas leading interior designers, area rug retailers, rug collectors, restoration and insurance companies, and clients desirous of a quality, safe cleaning.
For more information about Oriental Rug Salon and the services we offer, please visit us online at www.OrientalRugSalon.com or “call us on the carpet” any time at 239-424-8171.
You can also visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/OrientalRugSalon
