Wool

Source

Wool is the fiber taken from domesticated sheep. It varies from very fine, to very coarse; it will also vary in length. Generally shorter staple wools will be found in lesser expensive rugs with the longer staples found in the higher quality rugs. Wool may be dyed to any color making it a great match for intensely colored area rugs.

Advantages

When looking at advantages for area rugs we normally look toward the durability and possible longevity of the rugs.  Wool is a resilient fiber due to its overlapping scale, giving it a long life and resistance to crushing.  It takes dyes beautifully and is used in just about every type of rug. A good quality, well kept wool rug can last for generations.

Disadvantages

Due to the fact that wool is a natural fiber it does take a bit more maintenance and care then some synthetics.  It is important that wool rugs are treated for moth resistance.  When wool is wet it tends to emit a distinctive animal smell, as well as some people are allergic to it.  Wool is susceptible to fuzzing and pilling, although both can be easily maintained.  Wool is also the most costly of area rug fibers.

Maintenance

Wool should be vacuumed regularly and spots cleaned immediately.  Wool takes a long time to dry, but can be wet cleaned.  Professional dry-cleaning methods are recommended.  Also you will want to avoid scrubbing brushes that could untwist the pile or cause pilling.

Nylon

Source

A manufactured synthetic based on the raw materials phenol, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.  Nylon is heated into a solution and then extruded into long threads.  These threads can be texturized and cut to different lengths to provide for the different textures found in nylon rugs.

Advantages

Nylon is a flexible fiber that is used in any number of different rug styles.  This fiber is strong, durable, resilient, and abrasion resistant.  Nylon has great color retention properties hides dirt and has excellent bulk.  You will experience a limited amount of fuzzing and pilling, it is non-allergenic as well as mildew and insect resistant.

Disadvantages

Some nylons are prone to static electricity.  You might also find that nylon can have an unpleasant sheen and not be as soft to the touch as some other fibers.

Maintenance

Nylon cleans exceptionally well, vacuuming regularly and spot cleaning when necessary will keep nylon rugs looking new for years. Steam, wet, dry, and chemical cleaning processes are effective.  Some accent rugs can be machine washed.

Polypropylene

Source

Also known as Olefin, these fibers are made of ethylene or propane gas constituted into a synthetic, long chain polymer.

Advantages

Olefin is lightweight, durable, strong, and inexpensive.  The fibers are resistant to fuzzing, pilling, and abrasion.  Polypropylene is used for both interior rugs as well as outdoor rugs.  Offered at some of the lowest prices polypropylene rugs are a great option for many.

Disadvantages

Polypropylene is less soft to the touch then some other fibers that are available.  The fibers must be treated for resistance to sunlight fading and deterioration.  Olefin has a tendency to crush, pill, and stain, and is considered less durable then nylon.

Maintenance

Basic maintenance requires regular vacuuming and spot cleaning as needed.  They clean well and are unaffected by moisture, acids, and most chemicals.

Polyester

Source

Polyester is a synthetic long chain polymer that is derived from a reaction between dicarboxylic acid and dihydric alcohol.

Advantages

Polyesters take and hold dyes extremely well.  It has a close resemblance to wool due to its ability to take dyes.  Polyester is also very soft to the touch.  It is a durable fiber that will resist fuzzing and pilling.  It is mildew and moth resistant as well as non-allergenic and nonabsorbent.

Disadvantages

Polyester tends to crush easily, and must be heat set to maintain the yarn twist.  Heat-set polyesters would be a good choice for residential areas.  They tend to lack warmth and hold in oil-based stains.

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