Buying a Rug Guide

What you need to Know before you buy a: Bamboo Silk , Rayon, Art Silk Rug, etc

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Rayon, faux silk, bamboo silk, art (short for ‘artificial’) silk, modal, lyocell, luxcelle, tencel, evlan,- the list goes on. The most common name for the fibre we find in rugs is VISCOSE, but it may be referred to by any one of the above.

Because these are incredibly weak fibres, these rugs shed easily, matte easily, and get a shaggier look over time as the nap of the fibres gets more and more distorted from walking on it, cleaning it, and just simply using it.

Do You Like Yellow?

Because the cellulose used in making the rayon fibres in a viscose rug naturally turn yellow when wet, it’s no surprise that spills on viscose rugs create yellow spots. Even a plain water spill can make a yellowish patch on a viscose rug that looks like a pet urine stain. Rug filaments also tend to yellow after cleaning. Every effort is made to reduce yellowing but cannot guarantee the result.

Bamboo silk is a type of natural viscose. Cellulose is extracted from the plant and formed into a sticky paste. After extraction, the cellulose is then left to dry. Once dried, it is expelled to a become a soft silky fibre.

How Long Will It Last?

Moisture is a fierce enemy of viscose rugs, as the rayon fibres lose 50 percent of their strength when they come in contact with liquids. A rug made entirely of viscose is known as a “disposable rug” and is not made to last very long under normal foot traffic. These rugs deteriorate quickly from being walked on, mopped up with spills or brushed. The fragile rayon filaments bend and break, causing the rug to literally fall apart. If you want to keep a viscose rug for a lengthy time period, use it as a decorative wall hanging.

Viscose rugs are attractive but not long-lasting. A hand-woven rug made from natural fibres is an enduring treasure that displays the craftsmanship of the weaver. Viscose rugs, however, do not fall into this category. A viscose rug is manufactured from man-made rayon filaments, which don’t hold up well to foot traffic.

Melbourne Rug Wash is accredited to the Carpet Cleaning institute so feel free to call us on your next purchase or call the institute on 02 43222652 regarding concerns and do your homework before purchasing your next rug.