Something I found fascinating was that the yarn was prepared in three different ways. For a heather or berber style, the wool is dyed under pressure, in the bales.
To create the yarn, the different colour wools are measured by weight before being processed into prepared yarn. The other two processes dye the ready spun yarn itself.
For some carpets, hanks of yarn are immersed into vats of dye solution, dried and then transferred onto bobbins, ready for the carpet weaving process. The third method is to spin the wool directly onto the bobbins and to then immerse into a pressurised vat of dye.
Because of the very high standards of yarn required by Axminster Carpets, there is a considerable amount of “waste” wool produced. To enhance their eco-friendly approach to their business, Axminster Carpets decided to put this “waste” to good use.
About three years ago, they started to manufacture their own, wool-felt underlay. They also added a rubber-crumb layer, which is obtained from old car tyres!.
After the tours, we were all treated to a superb buffet lunch, complete with desserts and extra generous portions of Clotted Devon Cream, and seconds were compulsory!
Once again, the NCCA, in partnership with our host Axminster Carpets, has expanded our knowledge and understanding about some of the very products we are called upon to clean ie. wool carpets. Knowledge is a very powerful asset to our businesses.
National Carpet Cleaners Association
marketing@alchempro.com
