Are you a wool rug enthusiast? If so, the following information is for you. We’ve compiled four things that you absolutely need to know about wool rugs before making your purchase.
1. Wool is a natural fiber
Wool fibers are hollow, which makes them incredibly strong and resilient. They also have a waxy coating that gives them water-resistant properties. There are many hand-knotted wool rugs also now available.
What this means for your wool rug: You can easily clean spills from your wool rug with a damp cloth or paper towel. It’s even okay to spot clean it with a bit of vinegar. Wool is also naturally fire-resistant, and it will self-extinguish if you happen to catch your wool rug on fire. Wool will not melt or drip like petroleum-based synthetic fabrics do when exposed to heat, which makes wool rugs safe around candles, lamps, or space heaters. It doesn’t burn easily, but it can burn.
2. Wool is a renewable resource
Wool only takes the energy from plants that would have naturally fallen from the earth, anyway, making it a renewable source of fiber and a sustainable choice for your home.
What this means for your wool rug: As long as sheep populations remain steady, wool will always be a sustainable fiber. New wool can be harvested from sheep without hurting the animal or the environment, and this has been proven to improve the condition of the grasslands where many of our sheep live.
3. Wool is naturally flame retardant
Wool is an inherently fire-resistant material that is only made flammable by the addition of certain chemicals in the manufacturing process. Even a singed wool fiber does not burn easily, and when it does finally catch fire if given time to cool, it self-extinguishes naturally.
What this means for your wool rug: Wool is an inherently flame-retardant material, so you don’t have to worry about open candles or fires on your wool rug as long as it stays dry.
4. Wool resists dust mites and bacteria
Dust mite allergy is one of the most common allergies in the world, affecting about 10% of people in America alone. Dust mites live in warm, moist environments, so your bedding, upholstery, and carpet are all big contributors to dust mite buildup.
What this means for your wool rug: Wool rugs naturally resist dust mites and bacteria, which is a great benefit for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. You can easily spot clean any spills or stains on your wool rug and keep the rest of your home looking great at the same time. With all of the benefits that natural wool rugs have to offer, it’s no wonder that people are turning to them for help.
All in all, we hope this article has helped you better understand the benefits of wool rugs and how they can improve your home. If you’ve been thinking about getting a new rug or if you want to switch out some old ones, now is the time!