The Truth About Synthetic Vs. Natural Rugs By Alycia Shapiro At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

There has been much reported about the possible side effects of a poorly made synthetic rug. So much so, that over the past several years, people have been afraid to purchase inexpensive synthetic rugs. Today, that fear is without much merit. Synthetic rugs are still a popular choice. They are safe, affordable, and long lasting.
The Top Five Popular Rug Materials

1. The Synthetic Rug: The value of a rug has a much to do with the rug materials used in making it. If you want a rug that will last a long time, not just any rug will do. Your classroom needs a sturdy, safe rug. Man-made material like viscose, rayon, nylon, or acrylic, today, are made safely without the glues, epoxies and petroleum products that once plagued some of the poorer made polypropylene/olefin blends. And most of the newer poly-olefin blends are using completely safe adhesives, stitches and if at all less harsh petroleum components. The low cost, strength, and durability still make the synthetic rug the choice in nearly half of all rug purchases in America.

2. Wool is high quality and very widely purchased. Most wool comes from sheep, goats, llamas or alpaca. All animal and plant fibers (natural rugs) like wool and cotton are extremely resilient material. Yes, wool has greater durability than synthetic material. No rug retains color better than wool; no rug resists fire, water, stains and mites better. Many feel nothing beats a wool rug.

3. Cotton is durable and strong. Cotton has the most choices for color. Sometimes cotton is mixed into a wool rug to make it softer. Rugs with cotton-wool blend have a soft feel. When children take off their shoes or lean their elbow on the rug to watch a video or play a learning game, this softer surface is a great comfort. Cotton-wool rugs cost less than all-wool rugs and wear out a little sooner.

4. Sisal Rugs are wild rugs. They come from the leaves Agavaceae plants. Agave is the most popular of the plant fibers used for rug making. Sisal is smooth to the touch and never creates static. Sisal has high ratings for sound absorption and fire resistance. Sisal lasts longer than cotton, not as long as wool.

5. Bamboo is a woody material that is used mostly in Japan. Bamboo is durable and can hold up under heavy use, like wool. Some swear it’s the best choice for high-traffic areas. Bamboo is a rug that offers the highest quality at a lowest price. Bamboo has yet to catch-on in America.
The Best of the Rest

Here is a quick list of lesser-known and less popular rugs. They usually are too expensive or wear-out too quickly for classroom use. But your special needs may merit giving on of them a chance.

1. Silk is a high quality rug. You have heard of Persian and Oriental rugs. Silk is added to them, increasing luster. Silk is the most expensive of all rugs; they are high-maintenance and difficult to clean.

2. Viscose is a wood pulp fiber. It flattens easily and has a relatively short lifespan in high traffic.

3. Hemp Rugs come from the coconut industry (husks of the fruit post-harvest) or from the hemp plant. They are very comfortable, on par with cotton. Hemp creates no static, repels any liquid, and is the strongest of all natural fibers, so strong it used to be harvested to make rope. Because of its arguable association with a certain plant, understandably hemp has not been widely purchased for classroom use.

4. Jute is very soft, made for bedrooms and private libraries, but will wear-out fast in areas of heavy use. Jute makes a good prayer rug, not great for classroom use.

5. Paper Rugs are strong and comfortable, but thin and short-lived.

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