Which Sustainable Natural Rug Fiber is Right for You?
Wool, Jute or Bamboo
While size, style and color are definitely important when choosing an area rug, there are other important factors to take into consideration. To pick the perfect area rug fiber, you must also know about its performance, maintenance requirements, and how it will work in your space and with your lifestyle.
This is especially true if you're intentionally designing a space and want to use a handmade natural fiber area rug.
All of the rug fibers used to create Natural Rug Co. rugs are naturally sustainable, beautiful, and organically textured. And, each has its own set of distinct characteristics.
To help guide you to the right natural fiber choice for a rug for your home, here is a comparison of the distinct performance profiles and maintenance requirements of wool, jute and bamboo, along with some practical design insights.
Wool Area Rugs: Classic, Timeless
Performance
Known as the gold standard of natural fibers, wool is naturally resilient, stain-resistant, water-repellent, fire-resistant and hypoallergenic, and provides luxurious underfoot comfort.
In addition, wool has the ability to bounce back from furniture indentations better than most fibers, making it a smart choice for high-traffic areas of your home.
Maintenance
Wool naturally sheds, and a natural wool area rug should be vacuumed weekly to remove the shedded fibers and any dirt. It's also natural for wool rugs to shed more heavily at first, and for shedding to lessen over time.
Any stains and spills on a wool rug may be spot cleaned with a mixture of water and mild soap. Over time, a wool may need to be deep cleaned or professionally cleaned, as needed.
Natural Rug Co. Design Insight
If you're looking for a rug that will look beautiful and perform beautifully for years, look no further than wool. Wool is the workhorse of natural fibers - providing elegance, forgiveness, and plush underfoot comfort. Perfect for the high-traffic areas of your home.
Jute Area Rugs: Ultimately Organic
Performance
A jute rug naturally has a beautiful and distinctive chunky weave and an earthy, organic texture that instantly adds warmth to a space.
What many people don't realize is that jute is also surprisingly soft underfoot - especially when compared to sisal.
In addition, jute is anti-static, noise-insulating and fire- and moth-resistant, and some jute rugs are even reversible.
While natural jute fibers are strong and hard-wearing, jute area rugs are not quite as resilient as wool rugs. For maximum durability and resilience, be sure to choose a tightly woven jute rug rather than a looser weave.
Maintenance
A jute rug may be vacuumed with suction only. A beater bar or brush can damage jute fibers..
You can spot clean a jute rug using a mild soap and water solution. Testing in a small, inconspicuous spot first is recommended.
Liquid spills on a jute rug should be Immediately blotted with a clean, undyed cloth, and then spot cleaned. Solid spills can be scraped off with the dull edge of a knife and then spot cleaned.
It's important to note that a jute rug should not be exposed to high moisture or harsh chemicals, and a rug pad is recommended to prolong its life.
Natural Rug Co. Design Insight
A jute area rug makes the ultimate organic statement and instantly elevates and adds warmth to a space. And, while jute fibers are chunky and strong, a jute rug does require some basic care and protection to maintain its natural beauty.
Bamboo Area Rugs: Modern, Eco-Friendly
Performance
Bamboo area rugs have a distinct lustrous sheen and are silky and smooth underfoot.
Bamboo fibers are highly durable and sustainable and have a host of eco-friendly benefits. In addition, they're fire-resistant, static-resistant, pest- and mold-resistant, and they hold fewer allergens than other fibers,.
Bamboo area rugs do need to be protected from moisture and are prone to fading from prolonged direct sunlight. They may be used outdoors, but only in covered, low-humidity spaces.
Maintenance
Bamboo area rugs are extremely easy to clean. Simply wipe with a clean, damp cloth or gentle cleanser, and shake out as needed.
To protect a bamboo rug from scratching, casters are recommended for the feet of any furniture that sit on it.
To ensure even fading, regularly rotate a bamboo area rug that's exposed to prolonged sunlight.
Natural Rug Co. Designer Insight
A bamboo area rug makes a unique statement and is elegant and eco-friendly. It may be used as an elevated accent in a main living space or to anchor a small, low-traffic seating area.
A bamboo rug is not ideal for high-traffic areas or homes with pets.
A Note About Blended Natural Fiber Rugs
Natural Rug Co. offers a selection of rugs that are fiber blends made with combinations of wool and jute, as well as cotton and silk.
Cotton is lightweight and easy to clean, and silk adds a luxurious rich shimmer, while being more delicate. A natural fiber blend rug offers the benefits of both (and in some cases, all three) fibers.
Final Thoughts
When selecting a sustainable, handmade natural fiber area rug, it's important to take into consideration your space and how it's used, the traffic it gets, and your lifestyle. Keeping these factors in mind, you can enjoy a handmade natural fiber area rug in nearly every space in your home.