Abode Virtual Design’s Post

Shopping for a rug may sound easy: determine your size and your style, and then start looking through your options! However, once you start looking at materials, you may realize that there is an enormous depth of options. The material that the rug is made from will go a long way in how the rug wears and cleans. In most projects, wool is my go-to material for rugs. When it is sourced and woven in rugs made of reasonable quality, it is incredibly durable. In fact, well fabricated wool rugs can be passed down for generations if they are well cared for. Which brings me to my next benefit of wool: it cleans very well. When you think of where wool comes from and what it does for the animal it covers (keep them warm and dry by repelling water) you understand that those characteristics carry over very well for carpets and floor coverings as well. Repelling water to keep sheep dry means that it will also intrinsically repel stains, dirt and spills. Keep in mind that it doesn’t make it impervious, but it will help with cleanablity. Wool area rugs will be more of an investment piece than manmade materials, but their longevity will make up for that initial investment. Silk rugs are another heirloom quality item. They are more expensive than wool rugs, and a finer item, however they are almost always indicative of a higher construction quality as well. These rugs can absolutely be passed down for years and years as well. Silk has the reputation of being more delicate than wool, and that is true in some ways. The fibers themselves are quite strong, and when they are woven tightly into a rug, they wear incredibly well. Silk is sensitive to sunlight, so that is a concern. Because these rugs are often thinner than their wool counterparts, they are a fabulous option for heated floors. If you’re interested in silk, I highly suggest looking at the resale or vintage market, as you can find great options there. Jute and sisal have a beautiful, natural, casual appeal. As long as the weave is tight, they also can be quite durable and long lasting. If the weave is loose and the fibers are shorter, that is when the fibers can start to fray and the rug can look messy. There are a few cons with rugs of these similar materials - they are scratchy underfoot, both barefoot and in socks, so if you are a “shoes-off” household it may not be the most comfortable. Also, they can be problematic with pet claws. I’m including viscose on this list but its actually a semi-synthetic material, made from tree wood pulp. It has a shiny, silk-like appearance, however it its not great for high-traffic areas and it does not do well around water. You do see rugs made 100% from viscose - those are much more suitable for a bedroom or adult-only study or lounge. Most frequently, it’s seen mixed in with wool to add sheen into the pattern of an area rug. The amount that is mixed in and the pattern will determine how suitable it will be for a higher traffic or high-use area in your home.

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