Natural Types of Rugs and How to Use Them
What is a natural rug? A natural rug is one that is made from any one of a variety of natural materials. This can include materials from silk to jute. The latest wave in area rug fashion, though, is to go green. To think ecologically savvy.
A key component of thinking ecologically is to choose rugs made from materials that rapidly renew themselves. For those wanting traditional carpets, this is best accomplished through wool and bamboo area rugs.
Wool
Sheep are constantly re-growing their wool coats. There is no shortage of sheep and the shearing of the wool is humane and even necessary to the animal. Wool rugs last a very long time and have a nice feel to them. You can get wool rugs in all your favorite designs, from oriental to modern. You will find that the wool rugs cost a bit more than the many synthetics on the market, but will keep as a family heirloom.
Bamboo
Bamboo is another rapidly renewing product. The longest growing period to harvest bamboo is just under nine months and the bamboo plant is quite prolific. Soft bamboo rugs are a recent development to the market in mass quantities. Bamboo area rugs are constructed out of micro fibers and have an incredibly and surprisingly soft hand. You will still have a harder time finding these on the market, but they are out there hiding in the specialty stores.
You can also find bamboo rugs that are not woven into soft thread first. They are merely cut into strips and woven into mats. These are more common to find and the material is more durable than hardwood flooring. They give a distinct Asian or modern touch to any room.
Jute
Jute area rugs are another plant fiber that is woven into threads to create rugs. The difference between jute and bamboo is that you will find that the jute rugs have a rougher touch. Because of this, they are commonly used as doormats, but as of lately, have become more suitable for other areas of the home. You can find them now in flat or loop construction, some even with printed designs or dyed a variety of natural colors. While I would not recommend placing a jute rug in a room you plan on lying frequently on the area rug, jute makes a great addition inside the home.
Seagrass
Seagrass area rugs, due to its durability and affordability, have become one of the most popular rugs constructed from plant fibers. This rug material has a natural stain resistance and repels liquids. Due to the natural resistance to liquids, seagrass area rugs come in natural form only but can tout to being hyper allergenic for all those sensitive to the indoor environment.
Sisal
The sisal rugs on the market today are easy to clean and durable similar to the jute rug. These are great in entries as walk off mats as they do not show grime easily, and when it is time for cleaning, a simple vacuum will clean a sisal rug better than your wall-to-wall carpeting. For harder stains, just take it out side and beat it, scrub with a mild detergent, and hang it out to bake in the sun till dry.
Natural rugs have become an integral part in the Greening of any home. For all natural fiber rugs, do ensure that when they are wet that they are dried completely so that the do not mildew, smell, or adapt a light water stain.
What is a natural rug? A natural rug is one that is made from any one of a variety of natural materials. This can include materials from silk to jute. The latest wave in area rug fashion, though, is to go green. To think ecologically savvy.A key component of thinking ecologically is to choose rugs made from materials that rapidly renew themselves. For those wanting traditional carpets, this is best accomplished through wool and bamboo area rugs.
Wool
Sheep are constantly re-growing their wool coats. There is no shortage of sheep and the shearing of the wool is humane and even necessary to the animal. Wool rugs last a very long time and have a nice feel to them. You can get wool rugs in all your favorite designs, from oriental to modern. You will find that the wool rugs cost a bit more than the many synthetics on the market, but will keep as a family heirloom.
Bamboo
Bamboo is another rapidly renewing product. The longest growing period to harvest bamboo is just under nine months and the bamboo plant is quite prolific. Soft bamboo rugs are a recent development to the market in mass quantities. Bamboo area rugs are constructed out of micro fibers and have an incredibly and surprisingly soft hand. You will still have a harder time finding these on the market, but they are out there hiding in the specialty stores.
You can also find bamboo rugs that are not woven into soft thread first. They are merely cut into strips and woven into mats. These are more common to find and the material is more durable than hardwood flooring. They give a distinct Asian or modern touch to any room.
Jute
Jute area rugs are another plant fiber that is woven into threads to create rugs. The difference between jute and bamboo is that you will find that the jute rugs have a rougher touch. Because of this, they are commonly used as doormats, but as of lately, have become more suitable for other areas of the home. You can find them now in flat or loop construction, some even with printed designs or dyed a variety of natural colors. While I would not recommend placing a jute rug in a room you plan on lying frequently on the area rug, jute makes a great addition inside the home.
Seagrass
Seagrass area rugs, due to its durability and affordability, have become one of the most popular rugs constructed from plant fibers. This rug material has a natural stain resistance and repels liquids. Due to the natural resistance to liquids, seagrass area rugs come in natural form only but can tout to being hyper allergenic for all those sensitive to the indoor environment.
Sisal
The sisal rugs on the market today are easy to clean and durable similar to the jute rug. These are great in entries as walk off mats as they do not show grime easily, and when it is time for cleaning, a simple vacuum will clean a sisal rug better than your wall-to-wall carpeting. For harder stains, just take it out side and beat it, scrub with a mild detergent, and hang it out to bake in the sun till dry.
Natural rugs have become an integral part in the Greening of any home. For all natural fiber rugs, do ensure that when they are wet that they are dried completely so that the do not mildew, smell, or adapt a light water stain.
