Rug Fibers Explained

We hope by explaining the difference between the main fibers used in rug making, it will help you to choose the right fiber for you and your home. The quality of the fiber used in a rug will determine how the rug will perform, how long it will last and how much the final rug will cost. It is important to understand that all fibers are available in various qualities and constructions. You cannot assume that a silk rug is better than a wool rug or that a wool rug is better than polyprop rug, it depends on the quality of the fiber, how the rug is made, the density of the pile (How close the tufts are together). Where the rug will be used, how the rug will be maintained and last but not least how much you want to spend.

Wool

Wool can be hand spun or machine spun, after spinning the wool is usually plyed in the opposite direction, the more turns in the yarn the stronger the finished yarn and the more resistant to wear. Hand knotted Oriental rugs can be naturally dyed using plant and mineral dyestuffs, Chrome dyed using synthetic dyes or a mixture of the two. Hand tufted and machine made rugs are dyed using synthetic chrome dyes. Although quality can vary greatly wool is still the most luxurious of all the rug fibers. Some initial shedding will occur on new rugs, some of these loose fibers will be from the final shearing process used during making. This will usually subside given proper and regular maintenance. Shaggy rugs are usually felted yarns and can shed continuously in high traffic areas and although this will subside eventually, this can take a long period of time. High quality wool is still the fiber of choice for the rug connoisseur and along with silk the only fiber that will retain and increase in value with time. The ultimate natural and green fiber, wool is inherently anti static, fire retardant and has excellent appearance retention properties.

Acrylic

Acrylic fibers are made from polymers and are widely used in Hand – tufted rugs, Acrylic has the softest handle out of all the manmade fibers. The better qualities look and feel very close to wool. The fiber dyes well, has good appearance retention properties and is more resistant to fading than wool. The fiber can have a tendency to bobble or pill in high traffic areas, but the fiber offers excellent value for money.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is made from petroleum based products,it is inherently stain resistant to most stains and can withstand very harsh chemicals, even chlorine bleach. Due to the nature of the fiber, certain oil based chemicals (including the oils from your skin) can fix itself to the fiber and cannot be removed. On light colours this will be seen as soiling in the traffic areas, spots reappearing after cleaning and yellowing. Due to the fibers low melting point, abrasive wear and friction on the pile surface can cause irreversible flattening and matting. This is less obvious on mid tones and darker colours. Although resistant to fading, intense sunlight can degrade the surface of the pile. Given all the above Polyprop in various forms is still sold widely, it does not shed fibers, is easy to clean and relatively inexpensive in comparison to the better quality polyamides and wool fibers.

Rayon – Viscose

The oldest of all the manmade fibers Rayon is made from cellulose found in the walls of plant cells. Also known as Artsilk, the fiber is soft and has a high lustre and sheen. Widely used in Hand tufted rugs as highlighting or to accent a design, more recently viscose has been used in Shaggy rugs and blended with other fibers in machine made wilton qualities. The fiber has good appearance retention against soiling, staining and is fade resistant to sunlight. The fiber has a tendancy to matt or flatten in traffic areas and performs better when blended with other fibers.

Silk

Silk is derived from the silkworm and is used extensively in high quality Oriental hand knotted rugs and carpets. The fiber has excellent tensile strength but does not perform well in high traffic areas, where it will mat, crush and wear. These rugs are better used in areas of light traffic (shoes off) or as wall hangings. The fiber is well suited as a highlight or accent in wool rugs and performs better in this format. The most expensive of all the fibers used in rugmaking, these rugs need to be cared for like the works of art which they are. Specialist cleaning is required for all stains.

Jute – Sisal

Jute is the softest of all the plant fibers, these rugs and carpets should only be used in light traffic areas. Sisal is more forgiving than Jute or Coir and will perform better in traffic areas. Expect slubs, lines and inconsistent colours, it all adds to the charm of the fiber. Jute fibers react badly to moisture and stains can be hard to clean as over wetting (even clear water) can cause staining. Biodegradable and very green, these rugs and a true rustic and organic feel to any room. Staining can be a problem with all the Natural Fibers, specialist stain protection treatments can be applied used in conjunction with the manufacturers recommended cleaning products.

Polyamide – Nylon

Polyamide, more commonly referred to as Nylon is the most durable of all the fibers used in carpet production. Although not widely used in rug making, the fiber is still available in broadloom carpets. There are two basic types of Nylon, Nylon type 6 and Nylon type 6.6. The fiber can be solution dyed ( as polyprop ) for better stain resistance or hank dyed as wool. It is the best of all the manmade fibers for appearance retention and best recovery properties in heavy traffic areas.

Nylon (Polyamide) has fell out of favour in domestic homes in the UK, but is still widely used in the contract and commercial sector all over the World.