How to clean a wool carpet?

A month ago, I had Stanley Steemer come in and clean all the carpets and upholstered furniture in BBB's home. This included wall-to-wall in the bedrooms and wool area rugs in the living room and dining room and foyer. They used their regular steaming process and temperatures for the wall-to-wall but said they had to use something different for the wool rugs. It appeared to be all the same to me as I watched the work in process. I think the biggest difference was in the technique. On the wall-to-wall they used the steamer head to scrub back and forth on the rugs as it sucked out all the dirt. On the wool rugs, they did something more of a blotting technique, placing and lifting the steamer head rather than scrubbing.

Here's instructions from another cleaner for doing it at home:

http://www.aspencarpetdesigns.com/care.htm

And another general how-to:

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/37619

Thanks, useful observations..

back in what I used to call north north, I used a dog comber on the rugs, then vacuumed, then took them out to the clothesline and whapped them with something heavy like a good rake., prongs facing out. I might have even hosed them, depending on their original value (not much, use the hose). But that was in an area with the usual temp somewhere around sixty.
Whew.. bunch of effort but it generally worked.

Here in New Mexico, I am watching the rugs get less bright and thinking about working up some kind of outside beam or cable where I can place them for.... whacking after vacuuming, or whacking between vacuums.

I have a steamer, or had (did I put that in the Goodwill or the Vets yellow bag?) I suppose I should try it.

I'm wary of using any steam or water. I would prefer that the rug be taken out to be cleaned. the floor underneath is finished hardwood and I'm as afraid of hurting that as I am of ruining the rug. I remember that my mom had a wool area rug professionally steam cleaned and it ended up all ripply in the end. Don't want that.

I'm wondering if a dry cleaner would be able to do it?

I've seen a local oriental rug dealer who advertises cleaning services as well... maybe look that up? (Oriental rug cleaning in your area... they're usually wool.)

Dunno, I'm too cheap to answer.

I do think my northern california answer was problematic. I would only do the rug cleaning thing in times of - for the area - less dampness. For whatever it's worth, I've never had moldy rugs.

I've no links to show you, swimpy, but seem to remember that cool water was ok on wool rugs, given that they 'drain'. In the cities I've lived in there are rug cleaners. Go talk to them.

Meantime, I have a bunch of great rugs. Need to acclimate myself to ebay.

I worked for 20 years as The manager of various drycleaning outlets.
A lot depends on the style and makeup of the rug. I've cleaned many wool rugs but some i could not as the backing was not suitable. Your best bet is to take it to you local cleaner and ask for advice.

Sorry that I haven't responded. Thanks for all of the advice. I'm going to make some calls and see what i can come up with. there are a couple of companies that clean oriental rugs, so I'll see what they say.

Thanks again, all.

Specialty rug cleaning company really is best, especially as there will usually be good insurance coverage if it doesn't work out to your satisfaction. If you mess it up yourself, or by taking it to a dry cleaner, usually not such good coverage options.

I knew a lady who was in the car detailing business. She got a dirty rug from her sister who was about to dump it. She t0ok it, sprayed degreaser and detergent on it and used the pressure washer to wash off the dirt. She then hung it and dried it by a fence. Later, it looked like new. Her sister was p_ssed off.

Good story, talk! I don't think my rug is that kind of dirty, though.

Good point, Beth. You're such a wise insurance woman