The world is going green. This is because if we do not think about the future generations, they will never forgive us. In fact, man\’s aim has been replacing all inorganic products like plastic with organic products like paper. Environment friendly products are gaining in popularity because they do not contribute to climate change or global warming; they are capable of re-growth unlike finite resources available on the earth; they help in waste reduction as they can be decomposed easily.
Home decor is another area where man is going green. Right from making use of tree stumps as a stool to use of plants in building walls to use of scrap wood in making tables and even using plant material in making rugs! Rugs were initially made from only natural sources like wool, animal hides, bamboo, cotton etc. With the help of technology, man started making rugs from synthetic material like rayon, nylon, acrylic etc. But synthetic materials are non-biodegradable. Nylon rug manufacture creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Apart from that, their manufacture requires the use of lot of water and energy. The chemicals used in their manufacture such as caustic soda and sulfuric acid also impact the environment negatively.
This has caused an ecological imbalance as well as fear of extinction of some species. In contrast to this, area rugs made from wool, cotton, sisal, jute etc are far better since they are bio-degradable; do not involve the use of chemicals, and plants can be grown in plenty so there is no fear of extinction. Sisal and jute, in particular, have been extensively used in making home rugs. Sisal, extracted from the leaves of an Agave, is the most popular of the plant fibers used for rug making. This plant is now grown all over the world. Sisal has long, fine, stiff fibers that allow it to be made into smooth textured yarn.
Sisal fibers are used in making ropes, twines, cordage, low-cost and specialty paper, dartboards, buffing cloth, filters, geo textiles, mattresses, carpets, handicrafts, wire rope cores, lumbar support belts, rugs, slippers, cloths, and disc buffers. Sisal fibers are anti-static, sound absorbing, flame retardant, durable, and stretchable, non dust attracting, good dye absorbents, and resist deterioration in salt water, all of which make sisal rugs a preferred choice among manufacturers and consumers alike. Fiber is extracted by a process known as decortications, where leaves are crushed and beaten by a rotating wheel set with blunt knives, so that only fibers remain. The fiber is then dried, cleaned by brushing and are then machine combed and sorted depending on the quality.
The jute fiber comes from the stem and outer skin of the plant. The fibers are first extracted by retting. The retting process consists of bundling jute stems together and immersing them in low, running water. After the retting process, stripping begins. In the stripping process, non-fibrous matter is scraped off, then the workers dig in and grab the fibers from within the jute stem. Jute is used in making cloth, sacks, upholstery, carpets, area rugs, imitation silk, bags etc. With jute and sisal home rugs, get ready to decorate your home the natural way! Jute is made from stem fiber plants and is well-suited for making durable yarns and fabrics because of its stability and firmness. It has a nice soft and shiny look when made into rugs. It is also one of the cheapest natural fibers making jute home rugs really affordable. Jute is also recyclable and uses very less pesticides and fertilizers.
Learn more about Sisal Rugs. Stop by Frank Conn\’s site where you can find out all about area rugs and what they can do for you.
Originally, rugs were meant to be used as a decorative covering for the walls. It was a few centuries ago that braided rugs were specifically designed to cover the floors, and since then they have gained prominence in their use as floor coverings. Rugs are now available pertaining to different types and different fabrics. Even the stitching of rugs varies according to its specialty. It is an ancient craft and making rugs requires the use of various techniques. The most famous rugs in old days were the Persian rugs. These were hand-woven and made using natural fibers of wool, silk and cotton. The designs were artistic and intricate. Over the years, there have been many changes in the art and technique of rug making. Machine made rugs have now come to replace the hand-woven ones. However, the classic and traditional types are also available and are very much in demand even today. There is a lot in store and the changes too have not been disappointing. In fact, it has added a lot of variety to braided rugs. Types of Fabric Used For Rug Making Before we discuss the types of fabric used for rug making, let us look at some of the different variants that are available. These are traditional rugs, contemporary rugs, transitional rugs, casual rugs, European rugs, floral print rugs, lodge rugs, kids rugs, animal rugs, holiday rugs, braided rugs, outdoor rugs, specialty rugs, sports rugs, and jute rugs. Now, let us look at the fabrics that are used for rug making. The most commonly used fabrics are silk, cotton and wool. However, some other unusual fabrics include fleece, felt, and denim. In case of braided rugs, two or more colored fabrics are used together to create a design. Braiding techniques use strips of different colored fabrics that are sewn together to create an attractive design. You can also dye the strips according to the colors of your choice. You can also choose to be creative and explore your hidden talent by making a rug at home. It is not difficult and all you have to do is arrange the dyed strips in a square or rectangular shape, and then stitch to hold the strips in place. Price Range Braided rugs are available in a range of prices, depending on the artwork and the sizes. The price range usually starts from 40 dollars and can go up to hundreds of dollars. However, homemade rugs can be cost effective as you can make use of the fabric from your old jeans or maybe an old bed sheet or curtain. Recycling old clothes and materials will also help in conserving the environment. Make an eco-friendly braided rug at home by cutting the material into strips and sewing it into a fancy rug. You can also consider dying the strips with fabric paint to add variety and uniqueness to your rugs. The art of rug-making has been passed on since centuries and is an ancient gift to us. The Iranians crafted rugs in the old days and passed on the tradition. Even after so many years of evolution, braided rugs have not gone out of fashion. They are still in trend and very much in demand.