Most of us have a hectic schedule. When juggling between our personal lives and board meetings, there isn’t much time left for us to maintain our home as we like. The best way to keep it clean is not to bring in all the dirt from the outside. Starting with the floors.
Hardwood floors are the most sought-after because they add character and charm to a home. When people purchase a home they can not wait to rip up the carpet hoping for a hardwood floor. But while hardwood floors may be easy to maintain, they can appear too cold for a space. So, a nice rug here and there can make your floors appear more welcoming and add variety to the space.
Gone are the days of pink flaming or sky-blue carpets, now people are averting their attention to the many natural rugs available. But what makes natural rugs so much better than carpets?
They’re Much Healthier
In recent times more people suffer from seasonal allergies. Sadly those seasonal allergies have become year-round. And your carpet may hold more allergens than you think.
Carpets are known to be bad for people with allergies because they hold dirt and hide little critters we can’t see with the naked eye. Unlike a rug, you can’t lift the carpet to clean it. Yes, there are many carpet cleaning services but those are costly. The carpet you have in your home from the ’70s eventually has to go.
In places that have suffered from flooding the carpet is almost like a sponge. To avoid excessive cleanup in areas prone to flooding, it’s often best to install hardwood floors. Though many prefer a carpet because it helps with insulation, eventually you might need fumigation. Bring out the bugs! Rugs that are properly made and big enough for the room size can easily fix those cold winters.
They Come in a Range of Quality Materials
Unlike carpets, rugs can be made of natural materials and are very easy to clean.
Cowhide
This is a popular material option that can add an outdoorsy feel to any mancave, cabin, or family den. Like all materials we purchase, it’s good to make sure it is responsibly sourced. This means that no animals were harmed for you to get this natural rug. Cowhide rugs can come in colours such as brown white, exotic brown and golden beige.
Unlike synthetic made options, cowhide does not show signs of wear and is known for its durability To maintain cowhide it doesn’t require vacuuming, only a shake outside and they are good as new. There is no need to worry about a smell because they are made to eliminate such.
Jute
Jute rugs are great if you are going for an earthy or more neutral tone in your interior design choices. They come in colours such as light pink, bleached and natural. Jute is great all year round because they hold in insulation well for the winter, while still keeping it cool in the summer.
When it comes to maintenance, remember that jute should not be steam cleaned as this can make it hold mould. It only needs to be vacuumed and spot cleaned with mild detergent. You want to be sure to never submerge it in water.
In addition, due to their often intricate and creative geometric designs jute rugs can even be used as a display of art on your wall. The use of jute is whatever you want it to be.
Wool
Wool rugs come in a variety of colours and designs. You can find them in lovely neutral hues like cream, silver, and mocha and they can hold their colour for many years. They are free of synthetic fibres.
Wool is naturally stain-resistant and fire-retardant. Talk about more bang for your buck. It is great as a hypoallergenic fibre meaning it’s relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. That is contingent upon if you are already allergic to it.
Cleaning your wool rug deep with wool cleaning solvents may only need to be done once a year. You can maintain it by vacuuming and spot cleaning.
They’re Pet-Friendly
Whether your dog or cat is house-trained or not, accidents happen. That said natural floor coverings are the go-to option for animal lovers. They are easy to clean and properly disinfect.
To clean pet pee from cowhide, jut or wool rugs the method is similar. If you want to use a mild detergent made for cleaning natural fibres use a 50/50 white vinegar and water mixture. Never do you want to scrub aggressively, that will just push the stain further into the rug fibres. Dry the area with a hair dryer to prevent staining.
You Can Use Them Outside
One of the best ways to decorate your outdoor area is with a jute rug. Just be sure to take it inside if the weather predicts rain. Your jute rug can easily be paired with wicker of teak furniture.
What Will You Decide?
Jute, cowhide, and wool are just a few of the many natural rugs on the market. By choosing a natural rug you are giving your family a healthier environment to breathe free of chemicals found in most carpets. Pick a rug so your guests don’t shrug but instead, say where did you get that from?
