The Different Types of Material Used to Make Rugs and How to Care for Them
Rugs are a fantastic way to add comfort, warmth, and style to your home. Not only do they add visual interest and color, but they also help insulate your floors which helps prevent dust and dirt from building up. Numerous types of material can be used in rug making, meaning they come in almost every texture and color imaginable.
The most popular types of material for rugs are wool, jute, sisal, bamboo, linen, cotton and silk. Here are some simple tips for washing and caring for your rugs so you can get the most out of them for years to come.
Different Types of Rug Material
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers are durable, easy to clean and come in various colors and textures. They’re also inexpensive compared to natural fibers like wool or silk. Synthetic fibers are often blended with other materials, like cotton or wool to improve their durability, strength, and appearance.
Synthetic fiber rugs may be the best choice if you have pets or small children in your home. The synthetic fiber won’t harbor allergens as some other rug materials can, and it will be easier to clean up after spills or accidents happen on your rug. You can even machine wash synthetic fiber rugs if necessary.
Bamboo Silk
Bamboo Silk is a natural fiber that is made from the bamboo plant. It is a sustainable, eco-friendly, and renewable resource. Bamboo silk has many benefits: the rug texture is soft, durable, and comfortable underfoot.
Bamboo silk rugs are an excellent choice for your home. They are available in various sizes, colors, and styles. They come handmade and can be used in any house room, including bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, hallways, or entrances to your home. Some of these rugs have designs on them, while others are plain colors with no designs on them at all.
Jute
Jute is a natural fiber that has been used for thousands of years. It is one of the most sustainable fibers because it can be grown without pesticides or fertilizers and grows back quickly when harvested.
Jute is easy on the feet and won’t scratch your floors like other options. Jute also doesn’t hold onto dust like some other fibers, so you don’t have to worry about vacuuming your rug often.
The best features of jute rugs include:
Durability – Jute rugs are strong and durable enough to last for decades in high-traffic areas. They’re also easy to clean, thanks to their porous nature, so spills aren’t an issue unless they’re large enough to overwhelm the material’s ability to soak them up (which shouldn’t happen often).
Absorbency – Jute absorbs liquids well, making them great for kitchens or bathrooms where spills are common. You may need more than one rug if you have a larger space or multiple entrances where people come in and out with wet shoes.
Wool
Wool is a great choice for rugs because it’s natural and is used to make durable soft rugs. It’s made from sheep’s hair. The wool fibers are twisted together with other materials to create a stronger rug that is more durable than a pure wool rug. Wool is also naturally fire-resistant and water-resistant, making it an ideal material for outdoor and indoor rugs. Wool can take a beating and still look good after years of use.
Leather
Leather rugs are great for every room. They add a touch of elegance to the decor and contrast nicely with other materials. Leather rugs are also very durable and easy to maintain. You can easily vacuum or sweep them, but you should avoid washing them in water. Leather is one of the most popular materials used for making rugs. It has been around for centuries and is still used today because it’s so versatile.
How to Take Care of Your Rug
Vacuum regularly
When vacuuming rugs, it’s important to use the right attachment for the job. Use a crevice tool or upholstery brush attachment for deep cleaning where dirt and dust may have accumulated in the corners of your rug. A beater bar is another option for picking up large particles of dirt and debris from your carpet. A rotating brush bar best cleans flat surfaces such as hardwood floors, linoleum or tile floors, and other smooth surfaces.
Vacuuming rugs helps prevent wear and tear on them by removing dirt, dust, and debris that can cause permanent damage to the fibers over time. Vacuuming also helps prevent stains from setting in.
Remove any spills from your rug immediately
Remove any spills from your rug immediately. Blot up the liquid with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. Do not rub or brush the stain, as this will cause more damage to the fibers. If the stain persists, mix one teaspoon of mild detergent with two cups of warm water, and using a sponge, blot gently onto the spot until it is removed. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and allow to air dry completely before walking on it again.
Clean the back of rugs occasionally
The backside of the rug can get dirty and need cleaning as well. If you have a rug with a latex backing, this is easy to do. Simply vacuum the backside of your carpet regularly with a vacuum attachment designed for upholstery. If your rug has a jute backing or other natural fibers, it’s important not to use harsh chemicals on them because they can damage the material over time.
Rotate your rugs frequently
Rotating your rug will help to keep it in good condition. Rugs can accumulate dirt and grime in the corners and along the sides, so rotating the rug will help prevent this. You should rotate your rug every three months or whenever it is necessary. It is also helpful to move rugs around the house. This will give them a variety in wear. Some spots can have heavy traffic and wear them thin, or be in a particularly sunny spot where the fabric can fade.
Use a rotary brush
Another important thing to do while cleaning a rug is to use a rotary brush and a vacuum cleaner for deep cleaning. This process helps remove all kinds of stains that may be present on your rugs and makes them look new again.
Keep the rugs out of direct sunlight
Sunlight can damage the fibers in your rug. It will fade its color over time, so you will have to replace it sooner than expected. In addition, direct sunlight can cause rugs made from wool or silk to become brittle and break easily. If there is no other option but to keep your rug indoors near a window, make sure that you turn it over every once in a while, so that it doesn’t fade too quickly on one side. If you have a spot that is very sunny, consider getting a lighter colored rug to hide the fade.
Shake out your outdoor rugs
For your outdoor rugs to last as long as possible, you should make sure that you’re shaking them regularly. This will help prevent dirt from collecting on the surface of the rug, which can cause stains over time if not cleaned regularly. You should try to shake out your outdoor rugs once every couple of weeks at least, if not more often, depending on how much traffic they get in your home.
Deep Cleaning
You do not have to deep clean your rug too often, but if you want it to look new again, you should do this at least once a year. Use a vacuum with a rotating brush attachment to deep clean your rug or hire a rug cleaning service to do it for you. You should also use cool water when cleaning because hot water can damage the rug’s fibers.
Use rug protectors under your furniture
A rug pad or protector is a thin layer of foam or rubber that you place under your rugs to help protect them from wear and tear. It will also reduce the noise of footsteps on hardwood floors and keep rugs in place. If you have pets or kids running around, it can prevent them from damaging the rug.
A good-quality rug pad will be made of foam or rubber and have non-slip backing to stay firmly on top of your flooring. It will also have a high-density construction so that it doesn’t sag under the weight of your furniture or heavy foot traffic. It would be best if you looked for one that has been tested by an independent lab and has received a seal of approval as being safe for use with all types of floors, including wood laminate, tile, and vinyl planking.
Conclusion
When purchasing a rug, it’s important to understand where the material came from and how well it will hold up over time. Each material holds its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Still, they have one thing in common: they should each hold up well to regular cleaning. Take into consideration how much traffic and sunlight is in the spot where you want to place a rug and be sure to choose your material accordingly.