WOOL – it’s one of the most sought-after materials for home décor or commercial use – whether used for rugs, carpets, upholstery or accessories, the subtle beauty of wool’s luster and how it absorbs and displays dye colors is comparable to none other.

Accordingly, the care and maintenance for wool is critical in a rug, carpet or upholstery.  Why?  Wool determines the appearance as well as resiliency and the ability of the pile to withstand abrasion throughout the life of a rug.

Industry Partnerships

For over 15 years, the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) in partnership with the Wools of New Zealand (WONZ), have trained rug specialists in the nuances and subtleties of cleaning wool – whether wall-to-wall carpeting, specialty rugs, or wool upholstery.

Restoration Industry Association is an international trade association representing companies and individual professionals who specialize in the “contents” restoration and cleaning fields. Wools of New Zealand is a leader in the marketing of New Zealand sheep wool, with offices worldwide.

Qualified Wool Care Specialist Training Program

RIA, in cooperation with Wools of New Zealand, developed a specialty training program which gave cleaning and restoration professionals in-depth knowledge of wool, fiber structure, types of weaves and durability, along with extensive instructions on how to clean wool and products affected from mildew, insects, and a myriad of stains.

Professionals take a final exam which tests their knowledge, and those who achieve the passing score receive the designation of “RIA Qualified Wool Care Specialist” and their Certificate of Course Completion.  These newly minted Wool Care Specialists become part of a worldwide referral network through the WONZ website, www.woolsnz.com.

To insure the beauty of your wool items, take care to ensure they are cleaned by the professionals, a Qualified Wool Care Specialist.

Referral and Information Contacts

Consumers: To obtain a listing of RIA’s Qualified Wool Care Specialists Click Here. 

Industry Professionals: To obtain information on becoming an RIA Qualified Wool Care Specialist, email CHereth@RestorationIndustry.org