Natural Fiber Rugs Versus Synthetic Fiber Rugs

Rug materials are divided into two groups when it comes to picking a rug: natural and synthetic fibers. What is the difference between carpets made of synthetic and natural fibers? We’ll go through the differences between natural and synthetic carpets, as well as the materials used in each, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.

WHAT ARE NATURAL FIBERS?

Wool, silk, and cotton are among the natural fibers used in area rugs, as are jute, sisal, and sea grass. All of these elements are gathered, processed into fibers, and woven into rugs from the natural world—whether through plants or animals.

ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL FIBER RUGS

Natural fiber rugs & carpets, on the whole, are more durable than synthetic versions. This is one of the main reasons why they are so popular; they last far longer than the usual synthetic rug. They’re also more eco-friendly (owing to their lower carbon footprint) and most of them being organic in nature are naturally non-toxic. This characteristic is especially crucial if you have small children or pets at home, as certain synthetic area rugs contain chemical dyes and can emit potentially hazardous VOCs.

DIS-ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL FIBER RUGS

Have you ever wondered why rugs are so expensive? These fibers require more effort to prepare for weaving into rugs, and as a result of the time-consuming procedure, they are more expensive. Wool and silk, in particular, will be on the more expensive side of the range. If you’re on a tight budget, natural fiber carpets may be out of the question. Jute, seagrass, and sisal rugs, on the other hand, tend to sell for less money because of the easy availability of these fibers.

SOME VERY COMMONLY USED NATURAL FIBERS IN RUG MAKING

Wool
One of our favorite rug materials is wool! Wool carpets are sturdy, stain-resistant, naturally antibacterial, soft, and oh-so-versatile, to name a few benefits. They’re also inherently non-toxic, as we indicated (as long as the wool is certified organic). Wool is one of the most classy rug materials existing. However, because wool area rugs are so sturdy and long-lasting, if you can stretch your budget for one of these lovelies, it will more than pay for itself over the years you own it and can pass it down to the generations! Most machine knotted rugs are also crafted in Wool.

Cotton
Rugs & Carpets are made from the same material as your favorite t-shirt! Cotton is extremely soft and fluffy, making it an ideal choice for your floors. Cotton rugs, like clothing, are easy to launder, making them ideal for homes with children and dogs. Cotton, on the other hand, isn’t as long-lasting as other natural fibers, so these rugs aren’t suitable for high-traffic areas, and you won’t be capable to pass them down to your grand-children. If you want a genuinely non-toxic rug, double-check that the cotton is certified organic, just like you would with wool.

Jute
Jute rug designs feature a lot of texture, and jute is one of the softer natural fiber rug options. Jute rugs have a chunkier texture due to the way they are weaved, which adds a lot of visual appeal to any room. Jute comes in a light brown tint (similar to burlap), but it can be dyed in a variety of colours. However, jute can shed, so avoid vacuuming these babies with the roller brush! If you are planning to shop for designer carpets in India, you may definitely find some good options in Jute as well.

Sisal
Sisal rugs are extremely long-lasting. We’re discussing a substance that’s used in the production of ropes! It can withstand a lot of abuse, in other words. However, sisal rugs aren’t as soft underfoot as other natural fibers, and they’re more absorbent (hello, difficult-to-remove stains)—so keep that in mind when looking for sisal rugs!

Sea Grass
Seagrass carpets are also more durable and softer underfoot than sisal, with the added benefit of being water-resistant due to the non-porous strands. As a result, these are ideal for use in dining areas or family areas where spills are more likely. However, because they are non-absorbent and do not accept colours effectively, they have a smaller colour spectrum of natural hues.

SYNTHETIC FIBER RUGS
Synthetic fiber carpets are made of synthetic fibers, as the name implies. These fibers are created using a machine and a variety of petroleum-based chemical compounds. To put it another way, these aren’t natural fibers. However, this does not imply that they are intrinsically terrible! The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of synthetic fiber carpets.

ADVANTAGES OF SYNTHETIC RUGS

The cost of synthetic fiber area rugs is one of its great qualities. You can get a lot of carpets for a relatively little price. Many synthetic fiber rugs are also made in a way that makes them mold and mildew resistant, as well as stain resistant. This makes them a little easier to care for, and who couldn’t use a little more of that in their lives? A good chunk of both Handmade & machine made rugs in India are done using synthetic fibers.

DIS-ADVANTAGES OF SYNTHETIC RUGS
Synthetic fiber carpets are simply not as long-lasting as natural fiber carpets. So, while they are less expensive, you may wind up spending more money in the long run to replace your rug.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in some synthetic fiber rugs, which can leak potentially dangerous substances into the atmosphere. Consider letting a polyester rug remain unrolled for a day or two before bringing it into your home, as polyester is the material most likely to contain VOCs. This will allow it to “off-gas” some of the chemicals (as well as the strong odor) before you welcome it into your home.

SOME MOST COMMON SYNTHETIC FIBERS USED IN RUG MAKING

PET or Polyethylene Terephthalate
PET or polyethylene terephthalate, is the same as polyester, though the rug material may be labeled with either of these designations. PET is created from recycled plastic bottles, making it somewhat more environmentally friendly than other synthetic fiber rugs because it helps to keep plastic bottles out of landfills. PET is a favorite of ours because it’s the easiest synthetic fiber to clean, and it’s the material that many of our indoor/outdoor rugs & carpets are made up of. PET has a similar appearance to wool because of the way it does weave, and it’s also quite soft underfoot. Polyester rugs are the most likely to contain VOCs, as well as being more prone to fading and cleaning than other synthetic fibers. This is due to the fact that they’re made of petroleum-based compounds, which cause the fibers to repel water and cling to filth.

Polypropylene
Because of the way the fibers are weaved, polypropylene carpets are one of the greatest synthetic dupes for wool. These rugs & carptes are soft and durable, as well as inexpensive. Some polypropylene rugs, on the other hand, are treated with chemicals to make them stain-resistant, which can be a worry for individuals who want to reduce the amount of chemicals in their home.

Nylon
Nylon is long-lasting, stain-resistant, and inexpensive—all excellent features for a rug! The resilience of this material makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic locations. Because of how nylon carpets are created, some of them have a chemical odor when they first arrive, so make sure your room is well-ventilated. So if you are planning to buy carpets & durries online at low prices, Nylon can be a good option for you.

HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN NATURE FIBER RUG & SYNTHETIC FIBER RUG

• Do you need a rug for a high-traffic area? Choose a low-pile wool rug or a rug made of PET yarn, sturdy sisal or sea grass.
• If you’re looking for vibrant colours and detailed designs, you’ve come to the perfect place. PET, polypropylene, and silk are all good options and AzaraHome is a great choice for the best colourful rugs collections.
• Do you have a limited budget? Any synthetic-fiber rug will suffice. You can also get some beautiful sea grass, sisal, and jute alternatives at a reasonable price. If you wish to balance your budget between the material & the construction technique, you may go in for machine knotted rugs.
• Are you looking for a rug that will last a lifetime? Wool is the material of choice.
• Are you looking for a rug that is suitable for kids or pets? Wool, sea grass, or PET are all good options.

And if you are still left with some confusion, our experts at AzaraHome ever ready to help you out and if you are planning to buy rugs & carpets online, than you are at the right place.