What You Need to Know About Fancy Area Rug Fibers! – Prescott AZ
I’m sure you’re all familiar with area rugs made from wool and silk as well as synthetic fibers like olefin and polypropylene, but what about the other “fancy fibers” out there? I’m Ruthie with Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care and I thought I would talk today a little about the various other area rug fibers that are available. Are they a good idea? Are they a smart choice for your home? Read on!
First, let’s talk about faux silk fibers. The most common faux silk fibers are mercerized cotton and viscose. Mercerized cotton is a cotton yarn that has been through chemical processes to increase the luster of the yarn. This is sometimes mistaken for silk because of both the softness of the fiber and the sheen these fibers have.
Viscose used to be called just “artificial silk” back in the 1920s, but it is actually a rayon fiber. Today, some manufacturers blend viscose with a low-end silk so they can put “made with silk” on the label. For the consumer (and even the salesperson) that doesn’t realize what viscose really is, this can be confusing!
Unique designer rugs are also abundant and can be made from a variety of things. I’ve even seen designer rugs made from strips of leather all woven together! There are some designer shag rugs that can be a problem as well. From clumps of wool to fibers so thick and plush they grab and hold onto every little thing, shags are a beast in themselves.
The biggest problem for rugs that have “fancy” fibers? The manufacturers don’t always take into consideration how these fibers will wear over time. Something else they don’t seem to really think about is how these area rugs will have to be cleaned at some point. Rugs made out of strips of leather can be extremely difficult to have cleaned professionally and replacement is usually a better option because of how much work needs to go into cleaning it.
Low-performance fibers like viscose and mercerized cotton show wear faster and can flatten out like pancakes. They also seem to pick up soil like crazy and it shows. Not only that, but these fibers often love holding onto spots and stains and have trouble releasing them, which can be bad news when it comes to having those spots cleaned and removed.
My advice is this – take care when you purchase a rug manufactured with a “fancy fiber.” Do your research! At Arizona Oriental, we always want our clients to make informed decisions about everything involving their area rugs. Give us a call today if you have any questions you would like answered!
Till next time, enjoy your beautiful art for your floor and remember a clean rug is a rug that can last you a lifetime!
Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care serves Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona and much of the Northern Arizona areas. We meet the highest standards in professional cleaning of area rugs with rug wash specialists having earned the highest training which includes certification as WOOLSAFE FIBRE CARE SPECIALISTS through the WOOLSAFE ORGANISATION. Such extraordinary certification ensures the area rugs of our client’s receive the utmost in care.
Call us for additional information on fancy area rug fibers and your free quote for professional cleaning at 928-445-1718, visit our website at www.ArizonaOriental.com, or stop by Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at our rug washing facility at 565 EZ Street, Prescott, AZ 86301 (pick-up and delivery also available). (05-10-17)
