Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Natural Fiber Rugs

Many people feel that a bare floor is much more elegant than a floor with carpeting or floor rugs. Houses decorated with natural fiber rugs have a warm open air attached to them. Natural fibers used in rug making include among others Sisal, Seagrass, Coir, Jute, Hemp, Bamboo, and Conifer.

You can obtain natural fiber floor rugs in almost any size or shape. They also come in variety of edge bindings such as serge, wide canvas, extra wide cotton, and micro fiber. Most of the natural fiber rugs have the same natural shades as the fiber used. However the variety of natural shades is huge. In addition one can obtain them in artificial colors too if one so prefers.

A plant called Agave Sisalana grows in several tropical countries with hot humid climates such as Brazil, Philippines, Kenya and Tanzania, as well as in Central American and Caribbean countries. Fiber obtained from plant’s leaves which grow to about four feet long, is used to make twine and rope in addition to rugs. This plant is sometimes called Sisal Hemp but it is not hemp. Sisal rugs are not suitable for wet areas. They also stain easily. However there are protective coatings that can be applied to prevent stains on these rugs.

Natural fibers used for these kinds of area rugs are extracted from plant reeds that grow in saltwater marshes in Asia and Europe. Seagrass used to make floor rugs is not the same as seaweed which are algae, not plants. Seagrass rugs are water resistant and inexpensive, a useful combination when it comes to floor rugs.

Bark of plants belonging to genus Corchorus which grows in the hot moist river valleys in East India are used to make jute. This fiber is also used to make gunny and burlap sacks, twine, rope, as well as carpet and linoleum backing. It is resistant to molds and water, but tends to fade in direct sunlight.

Hemp fiber is stout and durable. Hemp fiber rugs tend to be tough but they soften with use over time.

Coconut husk are used to make coir fiber. Ropes made of coir are tough and resistant to decay. So are the Coir floor rugs.

A feature common for all natural fiber rugs is that they can be easily cleaned using a vacuum cleaner. Natural Fiber rugs with strong backing will last five to fifteen years if properly taken care of.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
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