| We hope by explaining the difference between the | | | | colours. Although resistant to fading, intense sunlight |
| main fibres used in rug making, it will help you to | | | | can degrade the surface of the pile. Given all the |
| choose the right fibre for you and your home. The | | | | above Polyprop in various forms is still sold widely, it |
| quality of the fibre used in a rug will determine how the | | | | does not shed fibres, is easy to clean and relatively |
| rug will perform, how long it will last and how much the | | | | inexpensive in comparison to the better quality |
| final rug will cost. It is important to understand that all | | | | polyamides and wool fibres. |
| fibres are available in various qualities and | | | | Rayon - Viscose |
| constructions. You cannot assume that a silk rug is | | | | The oldest of all the manmade fibres Rayon is made |
| better than a wool rug or that a wool rug is better than | | | | from cellulose found in the walls of plant cells. Also |
| polyprop rug, it depends on the quality of the fibre, how | | | | known as Artsilk, the fibre is soft and has a high lustre |
| the rug is made, the density of the pile (How close the | | | | and sheen. Widely used in Hand tufted rugs as |
| tufts are together). Where the rug will be used, how | | | | highlighting or to accent a design, more recently |
| the rug will be maintained and last but not least how | | | | viscose has been used in Shaggy rugs and blended |
| much you want to spend. | | | | with other fibres in machine made wilton qualities. The |
| Wool | | | | fibre has good appearance retention against soiling, |
| Wool can be hand spun or machine spun, after | | | | staining and is fade resistant to sunlight. The fibre has a |
| spinning the wool is usually plyed in the opposite | | | | tendancy to matt or flatten in traffic areas and |
| direction, the more turns in the yarn the stronger the | | | | performs better when blended with other fibres. |
| finished yarn and the more resistant to wear. Hand | | | | Silk |
| knotted Oriental rugs can be naturally dyed using plant | | | | Silk is derived from the silkworm and is used |
| and mineral dyestuffs, Chrome dyed using synthetic | | | | extensively in high quality Oriental hand knotted rugs |
| dyes or a mixture of the two. Hand tufted and | | | | and carpets. The fibre has excellent tensile strength |
| machine made rugs are dyed using synthetic chrome | | | | but does not perform well in high traffic areas, where it |
| dyes. Although quality can vary greatly wool is still the | | | | will mat, crush and wear. These rugs are better used |
| most luxurious of all the rug fibres. Some initial shedding | | | | in areas of light traffic (shoes off) or as wall hangings. |
| will occur on new rugs, some of these loose fibres will | | | | The fibre is well suited as a highlight or accent in wool |
| be from the final shearing process used during making. | | | | rugs and performs better in this format. The most |
| This will usually subside given proper and regular | | | | expensive of all the fibres used in rugmaking, these |
| maintenance. Shaggy rugs are usually felted yarns and | | | | rugs need to be cared for like the works of art which |
| can shed continuously in high traffic areas and although | | | | they are. Specialist cleaning is required for all stains. |
| this will subside eventually, this can take a long period | | | | Jute - Sisal |
| of time. High quality wool is still the fibre of choice for | | | | Jute is the softest of all the plant fibres, these rugs and |
| the rug connoisseur and along with silk the only fibre | | | | carpets should only be used in light traffic areas. Sisal |
| that will retain and increase in value with time. The | | | | is more forgiving than Jute or Coir and will perform |
| ultimate natural and green fibre, wool is inherently anti | | | | better in traffic areas. Expect slubs, lines and |
| static, fire retardant and has excellent appearance | | | | inconsistent colours, it all adds to the charm of the fibre. |
| retention properties. | | | | Jute fibres react badly to moisture and stains can be |
| Acrylic | | | | hard to clean as over wetting (even clear water) can |
| Acrylic fibres are made from polymers and are widely | | | | cause staining. Biodegradable and very green, these |
| used in Hand - tufted rugs, Acrylic has the softest | | | | rugs and a true rustic and organic feel to any room. |
| handle out of all the manmade fibres. The better | | | | Staining can be a problem with all the Natural Fibres, |
| qualities look and feel very close to wool. The fibre | | | | specialist stain protection treatments can be applied |
| dyes well, has good appearance retention properties | | | | used in conjunction with the manufacturers |
| and is more resistant to fading than wool. The fibre | | | | recommended cleaning products. |
| can have a tendency to bobble or pill in high traffic | | | | Polyamide - Nylon |
| areas, but the fibre offers excellent value for money. | | | | Polyamide, more commonly referred to as Nylon is the |
| Polypropylene | | | | most durable of all the fibres used in carpet production. |
| Polypropylene is made from petroleum based | | | | Although not widely used in rug making, the fibre is still |
| products,it is inherently stain resistant to most stains | | | | available in broadloom carpets. There are two basic |
| and can withstand very harsh chemicals, even chlorine | | | | types of Nylon, Nylon type 6 and Nylon type 6.6. The |
| bleach. Due to the nature of the fibre, certain oil based | | | | fibre can be solution dyed ( as polyprop ) for better |
| chemicals (including the oils from your skin) can fix itself | | | | stain resistance or hank dyed as wool. It is the best of |
| to the fibre and cannot be removed. On light colours | | | | all the manmade fibres for appearance retention and |
| this will be seen as soiling in the traffic areas, spots | | | | best recovery properties in heavy traffic areas. |
| reappearing after cleaning and yellowing. Due to the | | | | Nylon (Polyamide) has fell out of favour in domestic |
| fibres low melting point, abrasive wear and friction on | | | | homes in the UK, but is still widely used in the contract |
| the pile surface can cause irreversible flattening and | | | | and commercial sector all over the World. |
| matting. This is less obvious on mid tones and darker | | | | |