Suffolk Carpet Care

The effect of shrinkage in a carpet is actually a appearance of fibres swelling.

We are often asked if wool shrinks in carpets when they are cleaned. The process of manufacturing a wool fleece from a sheep goes through a very extensive cleaning cycle far greater, deeper and more intense than what we can do once it has been made into a carpet.

The wool is cleaned and dyed using masses of water and heat during the first processes of scouring the wool, blending it, spinning it into a yarn and dyeing it. Once the fibre has then been woven or tufted into a carpet, the wool will not shrink.

The effect of shrinkage normally occurs on woven carpets that have a layer of jute woven as a part of its construction. If water is penetrated into the wool, and deep into the jute, the jute swells meaning the fibres woven over and under it have further to travel. This means that the fibres pull in and away from the edges of the walls or joins.

Shrinkage of carpets during DIY cleaning or most professionals is very common. In the industry only 5% of the trade are qualified and these professionals can pick out potential shrinkage risks and tailor processes to avoid this from happening.

We check these carpets installations prior to cleaning as carpet fitting often has not been carried out to British Standards to support the tension of a woven carpet.

If you would like to discuss or find out more information about carpet shrinkage, please get in touch with our technical expert Rob Reeve.