Natural Fiber Area Rugs: Jute, Sisal, Bamboo and Seagrass

Traditionally, sisal has been the leading material for agricultural twine (binder twine and baler twine) because of its strength, durability, ability to stretch, affinity for certain dyestuffs, and resistance to deterioration in saltwater.

Other products developed from sisal fiber include spa products, cat scratching posts, lumbar support belts, rugs, slippers, cloths, and disc buffers. Sisal wall covering meets the abrasion and tearing resistance standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials and of the National Fire Protection Association.

Despite the yarn durability sisal is known for, slight matting of sisal carpeting may occur in high-traffic areas. Sisal carpet does not build up static nor does it trap dust, so vacuuming is the only maintenance required. High-spill areas should be treated with a fiber sealer and for spot removal, a drycleaning powder is recommended.

Depending on climatic conditions, sisal will absorb air humidity or release it, causing expansion or contraction. Sisal is not recommended for areas that receive wet spills or rain or snow. Sisal is used by itself in carpets or in blends with wool and acrylic for a softer hand.

Source

Sienna Sisal Rug - Tan, Non-slip Natural Latex Backing
9 Sizes Available!

Jute is one of the cheapest natural fibers and is second only to cotton in amount produced and variety of uses.

Jute floor coverings consist of woven and tufted and piled carpets. Jute mats and mattings with 5 / 6 mts width and of continuous length are easily being woven in Southern parts of India, in solid and fancy shades, and in different weaves like Boucle, Panama, Herringbone, etc.

Jute mats and area rugs are made both through powerloom and handloom. The traditional Satranji mat is becoming very popular in home décor.

Jute has many advantages as a home textile, either replacing cotton or blending with it. It is a strong, durable, color- and light-fast fiber. Its UV protection, sound and heat insulation, low thermal conduction and anti-static properties make it a wise choice in home décor. Also, fabrics made of jute fibres are carbon-dioxide neutral and naturally decomposable.

Moreover, jute can be grown in 4-6 months with a huge amount of cellulose being produced from the jute hurd (inner woody core of the jute stem) that can meet most of the wood needs of the world. Jute is the major crop among others that is able to protect deforestation by industrialization.

Thus, jute is the most environment-friendly fiber starting from the seed to expired fiber, as the expired fibers can be recycled more than once.

Source

Solid Jute Area Rug      Extra Weave Olives Printed Jute Rug

Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on Earth; it has been measured surging skyward as fast as 47.6 inches in a 24-hour period and can also reach maximal growth rate exceeding 39 inches per hour for short periods of time. Unlike trees, all bamboos grow to full height and girth in a single growing season of 3-4 months.

This quick regrowth makes bamboo an excellent choice for area rugs, as it has minimal impact on the environment and very little in the way of natural resources is used in its cultivation, and the host plant is not destroyed.

Bamboo rugs are typically neutral in color and similar in appearance to hardwood flooring. Color can be introduced by the addition of cotton banding that is typically seen around the edges of bamboo area rugs.

Caring for your bamboo rugs is much the same as for hardwood. While bamboo is a naturally porous material, some rugs are treated with a protective clear coat which allows for washing and waxing. Untreated bamboo rugs are simply vacuumed and spot treated with a mild soap and water.

Anji Mountain Bamboo Rug
7 Foot Round

These unusual marine flowering plants are called seagrasses because the leaves are long and narrow and are very often green, and because the plants often grow in large "meadows" which look like grassland.

Because these plants must photosynthesize, they are limited to growing submerged, and most occur in shallow and sheltered coastal waters anchored in sand or mud bottoms. They undergo pollination while submerged and complete their entire life cycle underwater. There are about sixty species worldwide.

Used in natural fiber rugs, seagrass has a naturally smooth texture and sheen, as it has a non-porous surface. They're fairly low maintenance and stain resistant, and can be easily brushed off to remove any dirt. However, they're not recommended for humid or moist conditions, as they are susceptible to mold and mildew.

Most seagrass rugs are left unbleached and undyed, but cotton may be incorporated into the seagrass to add shading, strength or a new dimension to the design.

Coastal Seagrass Rug - Black, Non-slip Natural Latex Backing - 3 Sizes Available