Cleaning carpets

I've just received a rather comprehensive answer regarding a comment about carpet cleaning I had posted on a carpet web usergroup, and thought it's worth sharing...

Me: I don't suppose you can expand on your comment...

"As I'm sure you are well aware, there is a VERY right and VERY wrong way
to treat vegetable dyed fine wool rugs! An incorrect approach could be disastrous!"

Here in the Middle East we vacuum carpets, then wash them every few years when they require it, by lightly scrubbing with a wet brush and some soap solution that doesn't have any nasty chemicals in it (some use olive oil soap, some baby shampoo), then rinse with cold water and leave out in the sun to dry. This is what they do in Iran, or some I'm told by all the dealers I buy from.

The cleaning expert: The cleaning methods that you have alluded to (using water and mild soap) are just fine. As long as the color-fastness of the dyes are tested prior to actually washing the rug. The main problem with so many "so called experts" that claim to be able to clean fine rugs is that so many cleaners attempt to use the same types of chemicals and detergents (alkaline chemicals) that they used when cleaning synthetic fibers (such as nylon). This can cause severe damage to wool fibers. Alkaline chemicals should NEVER be used on wool. Nor should any types of stain guards (Tefflon, StainMaster, etc.) ever be used. Wool fibers are permeated with lanolin which is a natural stain guard. No other types of stain guards are necessary.
It is also important that wool rugs not be "overcleaned" as the cleaning process will actually tend to strip away the natural lanolin. This can leave the fibers dried out and brittle.
Finally, it is very important that a wool rug be dried properly. There is certainly no harm in getting a wool rug wet (providing that the dyes are stable and will not bleed). After all, sheep stand out in the rain! But the rug should be dried as much as possible and as quickly as possible. For this it is important that extraction equipment is used along with blowers and dehumidification equipment.
It is not hard to clean wool rugs. But far too often there are carpet cleaning companies that are trying to expand their business and attempt to clean fine wool (and silk) rugs, not realizing that their cleaning methods are actually damaging these rugs! I know this because we VERY OFTEN receive rugs to repair that have been damaged by these self-proclaimed "experts".

Sincerely,
Chris Howell
Color Your Carpet
http://www.colorcarpet.com/
(301) 776-2393