Alternative Flooring: questions and answers

Should I choose wool or a plant-fibre carpet?

Choose around the room and its care needs. Wool, sisal, jute and seagrass are different materials. Compare the exact carpet’s texture, suitability and cleaning instructions, and think about the likelihood of spills before deciding.

Can I wet-clean or steam-clean sisal?

Do not use a general carpet-cleaning routine on sisal. Alternative’s material-specific care advice should govern the method. Read our sisal cleaning answer and ask for advice before introducing water or steam.

Can every Alternative carpet become a stair runner?

No. The chosen product must be suitable for stairs; binding a carpet does not establish that suitability. Confirm the range, backing, installation method and stair layout. See our runner suitability guide.

Why can a patterned carpet need more material?

The fitter has to position and match the pattern, allow for cutting and plan joins. Room area alone may not account for that layout. Ask for a drawing showing the chosen direction and matching allowance before comparing quotations.

Can I use Alternative Flooring with underfloor heating?

Ask for the exact carpet’s tog, backing and fitting requirements, then include any underlay in the thermal calculation. Obtain the heating supplier’s agreement to the complete system; a wool or natural-fibre label does not establish approval.

What should I keep after fitting?

Keep the invoice, exact range and colour code, installer details and the applicable fitting, care and warranty information. Our fitting and aftercare guide explains how to prepare the record and plan joins.

Would jute suit a busy hallway as well as a quiet bedroom?

Alternative positions jute for dry, low-traffic spaces. For a busy entrance or staircase, shortlist a product with the relevant declared suitability instead. Compare the actual sample's firmness and weave; natural fibres offer different practical starting points.

Manufacturer reference: FAQs.

Can I use Alternative seagrass on stairs or in a damp bathroom?

Alternative says seagrass is unsuitable for stairs and high-moisture areas. Its natural appearance does not establish suitability for those locations. Choose a different, approved product and check the room-specific fitting and care instructions before ordering.

Manufacturer reference: FAQs.

Should I use a rotating vacuum brush on a natural plant-fibre carpet?

Alternative recommends suction-only vacuuming for natural and delicate fibres. Continuous brushing can distort them. Check the selected carpet's product information and vacuum settings before use; instructions for a cut-pile synthetic carpet should not be transferred to sisal or jute.

Manufacturer reference: Product care tips.

Can I clean a wool-and-Tencel or wool-and-sisal blend like ordinary wool carpet?

Alternative directs wool blends with delicate fibres to its delicate-fibre care guidance. Check the full composition before choosing a cleaning product or extraction method. The word 'wool' in a collection description does not establish the correct treatment for every blend.

Manufacturer reference: Product care tips.

Do all Alternative wool carpets have the same moth treatment?

No. Its FAQ identifies Barefoot as an exception without chemical moth-proofing. Confirm the treatment for the selected range and ask how to manage any existing moth problem before fitting. A wool label alone does not answer the treatment question.

Manufacturer reference: FAQs.

What should I decide before pricing a bordered stair runner?

Agree the carpet, finished runner width, border and staircase layout together. Include landings, turns and winders in the measured plan, and check the selected material's stair suitability. A border choice changes the finished proportions, so compare it on a sample or layout before ordering.

Sources and further reading

Guide updated 9 October 2026. Use the instructions supplied for your exact product, finish and intended use.

• Product care
• Installation advice
• Wool Tweed Torridon