Products approved to carry the Wool: Clean Air Certified label are tested by a certified independent laboratory and must pass stringent VOC emission testing for 13 contaminants. In addition, the products are required to meet scientifically established testing standards that verify reductions of VOCs, including formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, in the indoor environment.

Wool: Clean Air Certified is an Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) program managed by Wools of New Zealand.

“Wool has incredible attributes that deserve to be recognized,” says Connie Berry, director of marketing for Karastan. “As the largest manufacturer of wool carpets and rugs in America, we applaud Wools of New Zealand for giving wool a greater voice. Solid scientific backing and high testing standards give the Wool: Clean Air Certified label impressive credibility that we are proud to carry on our products.”

The buildup of indoor air contaminants is a growing concern in residential as well as commercial interiors. Although many materials, including carpet, pass tests for minimum VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, wool goes a giant step further by removing contaminants from the air and improving the health of the indoor environment.

“Wool is proven to significantly reduce indoor air contaminants within seven hours of installation and to keep contaminants out of the air for 30 years,” says Elise Demboski, executive director of North America for Wools of New Zealand. “Unfortunately, this unique attribute is overlooked since wool only represents 2 percent of the market. Through the Wool: Clean Air Certified program, we are bringing wool to the forefront where it will be noticed.”

In addition to meeting the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED point requirements, the certification also meets the standards for California Section 01350 and Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).

Carpets and rugs containing a minimum of 50 percent wool are eligible for Wool: Clean Air certification. Product samples are submitted by platform, which is dependent upon backing and latex type. Every platform is fully retested on an annual basis to maintain the integrity of the Wool: Clean Air certification.

Published on: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 on www.talkfloor.com

Style-focused celebrities look for hard-to-source flooring materials that and may need to be shipped from other countries. Equatorial hardwood floors such as Ebony or Brazilian Mahogany are well known high end floors. Natural stone floors such as Italian marble,  granite or limestone may be chosen for rooms prone to moisture. Handmade one-of-a-kind designer tiles are also options celebrities look for when choosing flooring suitable to their star status. Deep pile expensive handmade natural fiber carpeting is another flooring material used by celebrities.

Eco conscious celebrities look at more sustainable options for the flooring in their homes. They source material that is locally available that can be recycled and from a renewable resource. These celebrities look for rubber, cork or bamboo floors that look exotic yet are well known examples of green flooring materials. Sourcing floors locally is another way to help the environment.  The carpeting used by eco conscious celebrities is usually made from polyester that is spun from recycled PET bottles, or nylon carpeting that is continuously recyclable.

Flooring selected by celebrities varies depending on the style, taste and environmentally responsible attitudes of the individual celebrity!

Godfrey Hirst Carpets USA, a Wools of New Zealand partner, is expanding its line of wool carpets with Santorini, a two-tone tufted loop pile style that carries the Wools of New Zealand brand for assured quality and performance. Introduced at Surfaces 2010, Santorini samples are now shipping to retailers across the country in time for the fall selling season.

A clean and crisp pattern, Santorini is given extra depth, uniqueness and versatility through the use of a solid yarn in combination with a stippled yarn, according Laurie Bray, Marketing Manager for Godfrey Hirst. Ten neutral colorways in earthtone combinations help form the nubby styles of this product offering.

Developed for residential environments, this classic berber is 12’ wide, in a 36 oz. construction that will provide functional luxury and understated fashion on residential floors and stairs.

For Atlanta-based Myers Carpet, Santorini is a welcome addition to its offering of Godfrey Hirst products, according to Chris Fonville. “Godfrey Hirst has been a great supplier for at least ten years,” Fonville says. “Santorini offers us an opportunity to sell our customers a good quality wool carpet in a great looking wool classic berber at a price that will certainly be welcomed by both the consumer and our sales staff.”

Myers Carpet has been in business for 50 years and in Atlanta for 24. Fonville adds, “We consider ourselves to be leaders in the southeast in natural fiber carpet. Branded Wools of New Zealand products give us a story to tell our customers, not only about the quality of the wool but also about the testing that guarantees performance. We explain the difference between Wools of New Zealand branded carpet and unbranded wool carpet. It’s important to us.”

For further information, please contact Godfrey Hirst Carpets at 800-480-7134 or visit their website at: www.godfreyhirstusa.com. If in Canada the website is: www.godfreyhirstcanada.com.

Wools of New Zealand put out a call that was answered by some of its U.S. carpet manufacturer partners to donate wool waste for use in the Gulf coast oil spill clean-up efforts. J. Mish, Woolshire, Woolen Resources and Creative Accents have all shipped wool waste material to Matter of Trust (matteroftrust.org), an organization that is warehousing the fiber and making them into booms.

“Wool is a highly efficient oil adsorbent (meaning the oil clings to the many tiny scales on every strand),” says Elise Demboski, executive director of Wools of New Zealand in North America. “It is natural, biodegradable, hydrophobic, buoyant and has large retaining capacity. This makes it much more effective for use in booms then typical polypropylene fillers,”

Wool has been called on before for this same purpose. As reported by BBC News,

New Zealand sent wool booms to the Persian Gulf during the first Iraq war in 1991. The wool booms successfully helped clean up the million tons of oil released by retreating Iraqi soldiers.

“I applaud our partners for donating their wool waste, which is typically sold or used to make recycled cushion,” shares Demboski. “Instead, they are shipping the wool, at their own expense, to warehouses in the Gulf of Mexico. The wool is joined by thousands of pounds of hair, fleece and feathers that will be turned into 25 miles of boom.

Wools of New Zealand partners are happy to help. “We didn’t think about it twice,” says Don Karlin, vice president of sales and marketing for J. Mish. “When Elise contacted us, we were able to ship 3,000 pounds of wool waste to the warehouse. This is a devastating situation and we want to help anyway we can.”

According to Lisa Gautier, president of Matter of Trust, the warehouses are now full and donations are being held until further notice. Matter of Trust volunteers are busy making booms that are being deployed in Florida and Alabama. Wools of New Zealand partners have been put on a call list and are standing by ready to help when there is a need for more wool.

Before the end of WWII, wool carpet production by Alexander Smith & Sons of Yonkers, New York reached 26,000 square yards of woven wool carpet per day. Wool has been the fiber of choice for garments and carpets since 4,000 BC! However, when nylon was introduced during WWII, it quickly replaced wool as the dominant fiber choice for carpet. Wool now accounts for only a small amount of carpet produced worldwide, though it is still known and desired for its richness, safety and beauty.

As a carpet fiber, wool has much to like, starting with its exceptional ability to hide soil. Even when soiled, wool carpets respond easily to most standard commercial cleaning methods. When constructed properly and maintained reasonably, wool carpets will never “ugly out,” (like nylon or polyester) giving you a true wear life of up to 20 years or more! Another factor influencing wool’s beauty is its affinity for dyes, allowing for deeper, richer and more luxurious colors. Finally, wool carpet is safe; it is non-flammable (self extinguishing) and non allergenic.

The biggest negative for wool carpets is the cost, with installed prices starting around $4 per square foot. One other concern is that it may be more susceptible to staining elements like red wine or fruit drinks – simply because of its great affinity for dyes, which give you the vibrant colors you want. Nonetheless, if you have the budget and can protect against the stain agents, wool is still the most luxurious of carpets and will give you a very long wear life!

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Not sure? Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. Carpet and Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846.

Nail Polish Remover - Two types of nail polish removers are available. One type contains acetone, a dry cleaning solvent. Use the same precautions as with other dry cleaning solutions. The second type contains amyl acetate, which is used in many paint, oil, and grease (POG) removers. Many POG removers leave residues that may cause rapid soiling. When using a POG remover, always rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent. (See Residue Precautions.)

Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. Carpet and  Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846

Shaw Industries showed off its 19-month-old carpet-to-energy facility Tuesday as the carpet maker prepares to add an even larger carpet-powered boiler at another Dalton plant by September.

“Carpet has about the same Btu content as coal,” said Gary Nichols, corporate energy manager for Shaw Industries. “When I found out about all of the carpet that was being landfilled, I couldn’t believe we were putting all that energy back in the ground. That’s how this plant got started.”

More than 20 million pounds of shredded carpet left over from Shaw’s production plants is mixed with wood flour from other Shaw facilities. Together they produce a gas that can be burned to make steam used to dye new carpets at Shaw’s Plant 80 in Dalton.

By September, Shaw plans another type of carpet-to-energy facility at Plant 81, also in Dalton, capable of turning 76 million pounds of reclaimed carpet a year into steam and electricity.

The plants require special equipment to limit particulate emissions, but the process is relatively clean and green, Mr. Nichols said.

More than 5 billion pounds of consumer carpet still is buried in landfills every year, “so there is plenty of fuel,” he said.

Shaw has invested more than $10 million in Plant 80 to save more than $1 million on its natural gas bill during good years, he said.

“But with gas prices and production levels down, we’re more or less breaking even now,” Mr. Nichols said.

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said Shaw’s carpet reuse program “is the type of innovative, private-sector solutions” America needs for its energy future.

Staff photo by Matt Fields-Johnson/Chattanooga Times Free Press
Gary Nichols, coporate energy manager for Shaw Carpet, explains to U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, Rep, Ga., how the new energy recycling facility in Dalton Ga., will turn carpet selvedge into an energy producing gas to help eliminate waste.

“As a businessman, I recognize if you can take something you used to throw away and turn into a source of energy, steam or electricity, then you’ve got a real winner,” he said.

Shaw officials say they remain committed to reusing more carpet and reducing company wastes. The company has set a corporate goal of reducing its energy consumption by 25 percent and increasing alternative energy sources by 10 percent by 2017, using 2007 levels as a baseline.

“It’s really through innovation and reaching out through environmental solutions that we continue to move this company and industry forward,” said Hal Long, executive vice president for Shaw Industries.

Shaw Industries showed off its 19-month-old carpet-to-energy facility Tuesday as the carpet maker prepares to add an even larger carpet-powered boiler at another Dalton plant by September.

“Carpet has about the same Btu content as coal,” said Gary Nichols, corporate energy manager for Shaw Industries. “When I found out about all of the carpet that was being landfilled, I couldn’t believe we were putting all that energy back in the ground. That’s how this plant got started.”

More than 20 million pounds of shredded carpet left over from Shaw’s production plants is mixed with wood flour from other Shaw facilities. Together they produce a gas that can be burned to make steam used to dye new carpets at Shaw’s Plant 80 in Dalton.

By September, Shaw plans another type of carpet-to-energy facility at Plant 81, also in Dalton, capable of turning 76 million pounds of reclaimed carpet a year into steam and electricity.

The plants require special equipment to limit particulate emissions, but the process is relatively clean and green, Mr. Nichols said.

More than 5 billion pounds of consumer carpet still is buried in landfills every year, “so there is plenty of fuel,” he said.

Shaw has invested more than $10 million in Plant 80 to save more than $1 million on its natural gas bill during good years, he said.

“But with gas prices and production levels down, we’re more or less breaking even now,” Mr. Nichols said.

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said Shaw’s carpet reuse program “is the type of innovative, private-sector solutions” America needs for its energy future.

Staff photo by Matt Fields-Johnson/Chattanooga Times Free Press
Gary Nichols, coporate energy manager for Shaw Carpet, explains to U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, Rep, Ga., how the new energy recycling facility in Dalton Ga., will turn carpet selvedge into an energy producing gas to help eliminate waste.

“As a businessman, I recognize if you can take something you used to throw away and turn into a source of energy, steam or electricity, then you’ve got a real winner,” he said.

Shaw officials say they remain committed to reusing more carpet and reducing company wastes. The company has set a corporate goal of reducing its energy consumption by 25 percent and increasing alternative energy sources by 10 percent by 2017, using 2007 levels as a baseline.

“It’s really through innovation and reaching out through environmental solutions that we continue to move this company and industry forward,” said Hal Long, executive vice president for Shaw Industries.

When selecting a carpet it is important to factor in the type of activities that will occur in the room. For a room with heavy traffic and children activities you may consider installing the following styles of carpet:

1) Textured Carpets are very popular styles for families because they are great for all areas of the home. These are cut pile carpet with alternating twists of yarn that create a two-tone appearance. Its textured surface is great at hiding footprints, track marks and vacuum marks.

2) Frieze Carpets are extremely durable and ideal for active areas in your home. The frieze style is also a cut pile with a very high twist level. This means that each strand of yarn is twisted so tightly that it actually curls over at the end. The feature creates a textured and durable surface that will minimize the need for carpet repair.

3) Looped or Berber Carpets are durable due to the fact that the yarn tips are not cut. This makes them ideal for hiding footprints but may not be the best selection if your children play with toys on the carpet because they have a tendency to snag. But, for high traffic areas this carpet is a must have, especially nylon threaded Berber.

Style is not the only element to take into consideration when purchasing a carpet for an active family. You’re will want to select a color that minimizes the appearance of dirt. Having kids you are going to want to the darkest color possible, in order to cover up stains and dirt tracks. At the same time no one really wants a black carpet and you still want something that matches the other elements of your home, so here’s a little trick to help in deciding what color will minimize your necessity for professional carpet cleaning.  Get a sampling of carpet swatches and compare them to any existing dirt tracks you have in your house. Once you have a match you should go a shade darker and then you’ll have the optimum color for your home and budget.

Finally, consider soil resistance and cushioning. Many carpets have stain resistance built right in, but that does not mean they are soil resistant. To protect your carpet, you will want to look for carpet brands like Stainmaster, Anso, Wear Dated or Shaw’s R2X which are specially designed to resist soil mark.

Not only will your family track dirt through the house but there will probably be a spill or two. You can protect against spills on your carpet with a high quality cushioning and a spill barrier. This will prevent any spills from seeping through to the padding and protect your home from mildew and mold.

Author:

Sam Presnell, Owner, The Rug Gallery

About the Author:

Sam Presnell, Owner of The Rug Gallery, a Cincinnati-based company that sells and maintenances rugs for clients.