natural fiber rugs

What Are Natural Fiber Rugs?

Natural Fiber Rugs

A lot of people nowadays like being closer to nature and hence want to use more natural products for that very essence. Making use of natural fiber floor covering is one of them. 

Nature herself has given such fine materials that ever since the early-men time it is used with some modern crafting elements.

Some of nature’s finest gifts in the form of natural fibers are jute, bamboo, coir, hemp, sisal, seagrass, mountain grass etc. Each of the fibers is unique, and of course, they are very affordable too.

This article covers some of the benefits of natural fiber rugs, and what makes them the most popular even in this modern time.

Advantages Of Natural Fiber Area Rugs

Natural rugs are the smart choice to make these days. We all know the condition of the environment, so it wiser to invest in products, the materials of which are environment-friendly. Suppose you are looking for a new floor covering for your interior design. In that case, we recommend that you choose natural rugs as they do not harm the environment and are a safer option for you and your family.

Know some of the benefits of natural fiber area rugs:

  • The first and foremost benefit of natural rugs is that they are made from 100% renewable resources, meaning that the fibers can replenish without too much pressure on the environment. Therefore, the natural fibers are sustainable, ecological, and some are also biodegradable.
  • Natural rugs do not emit dangerous chemical fumes like manufactured materials. A new carpet may have a specific odor when first laid, but that’s just the natural scent of the material which usually goes off within a few hours.

  • Natural fiber rugs are perfect for those with pets or kids at home as they last long and can endure heavy wear in high foot traffic places.

  • One vital significance of the natural rugs is that they are antistatic, fire-resistant, and naturally, absorb sound due to the natural molecular structure of the fibers.

  • Natural material rugs are stain-resistant and easy to take care but do remember that extensive disclosure to wetness can harm many natural fibers.

  • The natural fiber rug does not only come in traditional forms; instead, they come in blend with other fabric as well. The modern natural rugs have more attractive textures, colors, and patterns.

Natural Fiber Rugs That Are Soft

Wool, bamboo-silk and cotton are some of the softest natural fibers used for making area rugs, carpets and mats.

By texture, some natural fibers such as jute, seagrass and sisal, are generally not soft; instead, they are rough and stiff when compared to some wool and cotton.

There are ways to soften the fiber that are not so soft by blending with other soft fabrics. For example, sisal wool mix (40% sisal, 60% wool) turn out to become a soft and smoother new and excellent fiber and durable as well.

Top 7 Popular Types Of Natural Fiber Rugs

1. WOOL

Wool rugs are the most demeaned rug for the tons of benefits they have. Woolen carpets and rugs are highly durable. They are the best choice for high-foot traffic areas due to the natural resilience of the fiber. Wool has an unnoticeable natural oil/wax property that helps protect from stains and enhance the sheen of the rug. Rugs made from wool is also known to promote the air quality of the house by sucking unhealthy particles from the air.

2. BAMBOO

A bamboo rug is one of the most potent natural rug options. It is one of nature’s many-in-one materials and benefits in plenty of ways. People in Asian countries have used bamboo rugs for centuries due to the natural availability of the fiber, environment friendly and its aesthetic charm.

Within the bamboo, there are the bamboo-silk fiber rugs that are an excellent alternative to real silk rugs.

3. JUTE

Jute natural fiber rugs are no new; they are amongst the oldest types of flooring. Jute is a plant that grows mainly in hot and humid places. It is soft natural carpet material and generally has a good sheen.

Jute mats have so many features that traditional rugs dont have. When it comes to how much they cost, you will be very surprised to find the difference between jute rugs and others. They are rough on touch with a wood texture. To get the rug softer, these natural fibers are also blended with some synthetic modifications.

Natural fibers like jute are rough and tough, and the floor coverings made out of them are very strong. Besides being super durable, you will not face any problems like torn fabrics or faded colors. Unlike other natural fabric rugs, jute fabric does not easily lose strength with time, nor does it break off after a short while.

Jute flooring does well even in heavy foot traffic, this is why jute mats are used in the inside front doors as welcome rugs where everyone rubs their feet. As for the shape and size, they carry most shapes and sizes you can think of. However, the cheaper variants of these rugs have no colorful patterns.

Advantages Of Jute Fiber Rugs

Home decorators and householders favor using jute rugs as they have some very good advantages over other fiber made rugs.

  • Jute area rugs are very affordable. It is very much possible with these fibe rugs to recycle them later.
  • Apart from the low cost, jute rugs are also largely environmentally friendly. They are fully biodegradable and recyclable. So you don’t have to bother about hurting the environment.
  • In addition, the plants do not require harmful fertilizers or pesticides while cultivating them. So by using jute rugs you are actually helping the environment.

4. SISAL Natural Fiber Rugs

Sisal comes from the cactus plants. Sisal fibers have a dense texture and are incredibly durable. Once spun into sisal yarn, they get woven into the sisal rugs and mats.

Carpets from natural fibers are increasingly well-known with home decorators and owners, primarily for their value, beauty, and environmental friendliness. One great advantage of these sisal made rugs is that one can use them indoors and also outdoors.

Sisal as a rug is ideal for placing in a dining room, patio, living room, porch, and even your cabin. Sisal area rugs are pet-friendly, strong, durable fibers with natural beauty.

Sisal is a natural fiber that comes from a plant called Agave Sisalana, and it stands out above the rest in the carpet world. The thick fibers give rug strength and rigidity. It is an ideal fiber for making rugs, mats, mattresses, etc.

In addition to sisal being environmentally friendly, sisal mats and carpets can generally be used both inside and outside your home, provided you take care of them.

Like any rug, make sure that it does not absorb water or high humidity; mildew and mold can form on the rug if placed in too much moisture in an area. The excellent part about sisal rugs is that they are low maintenance – just vacuuming. Clean them regularly to keep sisal fiber’s quality. As now you know, sisal will not perform very well when placed in a highly humid area, making the fibers swell. So it is best to keep your sisal rug indoors.

5. COTTON

Cotton rugs are bulgy and very soft on the feet and come in an endless variety of colors. They are easy to clean, durable, and perfect for any area. Click here to learn how to clean cotton rugs.

6. SEAGRASS

Seagrass natural fiber rugs are from reed-like grasses, woven in a variety of patterns. They are soft to the touch, have a slight natural sheen and are extremely stain resistant. Seagrass rugs are very long-lasting, easy to maintain and ideal for high traffic areas. Click to know more about sisal vs seagrass carpet.

What is Seagrass?

Seagrass is a swamp grass grown in paddy fields where flooding of seawater is required during the growth cycle. Seagrass reeds by texture are non-porous, stiff, and are dense.

After harvesting, the long canes are dried and spun into threads. These yarns then get woven into a variety of patterns which produce a smooth weave with a durable finish. Seagrass does not get color dying, and they carry their natural color.

The natural color of seagrass is a greenish sage tinge that turns brown as it gets older. Depending on harvest conditions, they can also carry a hay odor that wears off over time. Due to the texture and color variations of the fabric, no two seaweed mats are alike.

Benefits Of Seagrass Rugs And Mats

Seagrass floor coverings are available plenty in nature and so they are very economical rug types for a tight budget with versatility. Seagrass natural fiber rugs very well endure heavy foot traffic, last long, easy to clean, stain-resistant and strong too. The color of the seagrass is as such that they can hide dirt within them very well.

Do not seagrass rugs for outdoors; they go perfectly very well with using indoors, including the kitchens, basements, bathrooms, or any humid area as they are susceptible to mildew and mildew. Since seagrass rug fibers have a smooth surface and are non-porous, they are comparatively non-absorbent as well. They have a hard and rougher surface compared to other fibers like cotton or wool. Above all, they are stain-resistant, and it is easier to remove 

In case having kids or pets in the house, then a seagrass or sisal rug is the just the right rug type for you. Seagrass rugs can last 5-15 years depending on the place of its usage, exposure to humidity, amount of traffic, spills and stains.

7. COIR

If you are looking for eco-friendly alternative flooring, coir natural fiber rugs are a great option—these rugs are made from durable material extracted from coconut shells. When compared to other natural fiber area rugs like seagrass and sisal, coir is relatively rare. You will find coir mats are mainly in the southern part of India and Sri Lanka, where coconut plantations are carried out on a large scale.

The environment in these places provides the most suitable coconut growth conditions and a continuous coconut supply for carpets and tapestries. Although not as in demand as other natural fiber rugs, coir rugs are also in great need of durability and moisture resistance.

Making Of Natural Coir Rugs

Coconut fiber is a fiber made from the outer shells of the coconut. Ripe, ready-to-shell coconuts are harvested and soaked in water for a while. It reacts with water, helping the strands to loosen and separate from each other. Once separated, it gets spun into threads. Manufacturers will then weave the strands in different patterns and turn them into coconut rugs.

Benefits Of Using Coir Fiber Rugs

Coir is a natural fiber, so using coir as a rug in the home has many advantages.

  • On the one hand, it is very durable and will last for many years. It is the ideal floor covering for heavy traffic areas, especially as welcome doormats. Coconut fibers are very rough and stiff and will not show any wear or tear signs, even in heavy traffic.
  • Second, since this happens naturally, no chemicals or pesticides are used to produce these rugs. Coir mats are ideal for households where one or more members suffer from allergies or asthma. It’s tough fibers resist mildew and mold even if exposed for long hours to water and humidity.
  • It is effortless to clean; all you have to do is vacuum it up, and it will be like new again. When there is a water spill, all you need to do is wipe it using a dry cloth.
  • And lastly, it is made of durable materials, so it does not harm the environment. Coconut is a by-product of the coconut fruit, so there is minimal environmental impact it will produce.

Cons

  • It has a very rough texture, which makes it unpleasant on the skin; this is why coir rugs are best for doormats.
  • If you buy dyed coconut coir, you can’t expect it to last because the chemicals in the dyes weaken your strands.