How to Clean a Dirty Lanolin Floor

Wool rugs are treated with lanolin to soften the rug.

Lanolin is an oil that is extracted from wool. Lanolin is used in ointments, cosmetics and as a treatment for flooring. Lanolin can be used on hardwood floors as a lubricant to prevent the wood from drying out, which would cause it to crack or peel. Lanolin is also used on wool fibers, such as wool rugs or carpet, to help condition or soften the wool. Regardless of whether you have hardwood or wool lanolin-treated flooring, it is important to clean and care for the flooring properly.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Hose
• Bucket
• White vinegar, liquid dish soap, mild laundry detergent or mild wool-safe carpet cleaner
• Sponge or cloth
• Towels
• Lanolin
• Broom
• Mop
• Lint-free cloth

Instructions

Wool Rugs

1. Vacuum the rug to remove as much dirt and dust as possible. Alternatively, shake the rug outside to remove any dust and dirt.

2. Lay the rug on a smooth, flat outdoor surface, such as a patio. Spray the carpet with a hose.

3. Mix cool water with a wool-safe cleaner in a bucket. Mix either equal parts water and white vinegar, 1 cup of mild laundry detergent per gallon of water, 2 tbsp. of liquid dishwashing soap per gallon of water, or a capful of mild, wool-safe carpet cleaner per 1/2 gallon of water. Stir to make sure the cleaning agent is mixed into the water.

4. Dip a clean sponge or cloth into the mixture. Rub the mixture onto the carpet. Continue rubbing the mixture into the entire carpet. Allow the mixture to work into the carpet by letting it sit for 15 minutes.

5. Rinse the carpet by spraying the mixture away with a hose.

6. Lay dry, clean towels on top of the carpet to soak up any excess moisture.

7. Place the carpet back in the house when it has fully dried. Run the vacuum over the carpet to fluff the carpet fibers back up.

8. Rub lanolin into the wool carpet, if desired.

Hardwood Floors

1. Sweep the hardwood floors to remove any dirt or dust.

2. Fill a bucket with equal parts vinegar and warm water.

3. Dip a mop into the mixture. Ring the mop to remove excess water. Mop the floors.

4. Dry the floors with a towel to remove excess moisture and prevent water spots.

5. Place lanolin on a lint-free cloth if more lanolin is needed. Rub the cloth into the hardwood floor to coat the floor. Continue this process until the floor is coated.

References

• WorldNet Search: Lanolin
• FloorBiz: Lanolin and Wool Rugs
• American Chronicle: How-To Clean a Wool Rug
• Wood Floor Doctor: Learn the Best Methods to Hardwood Floor Cleaning