What is a handtufted carpet?

 

 

• Handtufted carpets look and wear much like a handknotted carpet. Unlike a handknotted carpet, a tufted carpet is created without tying knots.
• These handtufted carpets are made with a tool called a "tufting gun." Loops of wool are pushed through a backing cloth that has been imprinted with the overall design. When the carpet maker is through with this process another foundation, called a scrim or secondary backing is applied with latex glue.
• The next step is to shear the carpet so that all of the loops on the top of the carpet are cut, which in turn creates the pile.
• Handtufted carpets can withstand high traffic, and will begin to wear out after 12 to 20 years of use depending on proper usage and care. High traffic areas include hallways, family room and entryway. Medium traffic areas include the dining room and home office. Low traffic areas include bedrooms and formal living room.

How to take care of a handtufted carpet?

Proper care and cleaning will prolong the beauty of your handtufted wool carpet and will provide more years of use.
• Hot water extraction machines are not recommended.
• Clean spills and spots immediately.
• Never rub a spill; always blot to prevent fraying of the carpet yarns.
• Any stray fibres from vacuuming should be cut-even with the carpet's surface, never pulled.

Initial care:

Vacuum both the top and bottom sides of your carpet. Use a carpet pad specific to the type of surface on which you will be placing your carpet. This will help protect your floor or wall-to-wall carpeting and will extend the life of your carpet.

Weekly:

Vacuum the top side. Handmade carpets will have some natural shedding of excess fibres. Embossed (carved) carpets will have more excess fibres. Do not use a beater bar vacuum. Set the head of the vacuum at the highest setting so you will not be 'pulling' out any fibres. Blot spills and stains immediately.

Annually:

Vacuum both top and bottom sides of your carpet. Rotate carpets to ensure even wear and prevent fading. Replace worn carpet pads.

Long-term:

Use services of a professional cleaner every 3-5 years.