A Bit About Beautiful, Sustainable Rag Rugs

The history of the rag - or chindi - rug is colorful (pun intended).

According to some sources, rag rugs made their debut in the late 1700s to early 1800s in Swedish estates and manors. As that story goes, all cloth at the time was laboriously handmade, and therefore precious. That being the case, people held onto and repaired any textile until it was literally worn to shreds.

Therefore, despite its pedestrian name, when the rag rug was first introduced in wealthy Swedish homes, it was a symbol of status, as it was indulgent to lay valuable textiles on the floor, and even more so to walk on them. 

From there, the rag rug made it's way into less wealthy Swedish households, and by the 1880's rag rugs were found in nearly every home in Sweden. 

More commonly known is that chindi rag rugs were born in India where leftover scraps of fabric were used as a sustainable, eco-friendly solution for waste. In Indian households, old clothing was cut up and scraps were sewn together to create colorful, durable rugs. 

Overtime, rural Indian women began crafting rag rugs to generate income for their families, and the rugs were eventually introduced into urban areas as well. 

Other historical accounts of the rag rug has it originating in Scandinavia, and even on the frontiers of North America using methods introduced by immigrants. 

No matter which of these stories is correct - or perhaps they all are - chindi rag rugs are beautiful, colorful, durable, and sustainable. 

At Natural Rug Co., we're proud to offer traditional chindi rag rugs from artisans in India, handcrafted from primarily recycled cotton.  They are both reversible and washable, making them a great option for high-traffic areas. 

Also form India, we have a beautiful collection of Bohemian handmade recycled cotton and jute area rugs. The rugs in this collection come in different sizes and shapes and each is slightly unique. 

And from artisans from the Anji Mountains in China, we have the Kerala upcycled denim and jute area rug, which is  beautifully hand-braided and comes in three sizes. Similarly, from artisans in India, we have the Bell Bottom Blues area rug, a traditional rectangular piece, which is also crafted from upcycled denim and jute and which is handloom woven and available in three sizes. 

We invite you to explore the colorful world of eco-friendly chindi rag rugs. There may be one that is perfect for a spot in your home.