Organic Rugs Vs. Non-Organic Rugs – What’s the Difference?

Plenty of companies have been going the extra mile to be completely transparent about what goes into the making of their rugs. Along with that, “organic” has become so much more than a buzz word.

More and more people have become conscious of the chemicals that they’re consuming in their day to day lives, and rug manufacturers have picked up on that, creating a movement toward natural, toxin-free products and processes.

What Makes a Rug Toxic?

In order to understand what makes a rug organic, you have to first know what makes a rug non-organic.

The toxicity of a rug is determined by the types of materials that go into the making of it, as well as the products used in the process of putting it together.

If you are taking a holistic approach to decorating your home, you will want to avoid rugs that contain materials like polypropylene (aka olefin or polyolefin), nylon, and polyester. Synthetic materials aren’t necessarily harmful, but the chemicals used to process them can transfer to the skin, depending on how the rug was produced.

Speaking of chemicals, anything that is treated to be flame-retardant, moth-repellent, or stain and water-repellent runs the risk of being very toxic. Anything used to repel insects is classified as a pesticide, which is incredibly dangerous to bring into your home. Stain and water-repellent treatments also contain perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, that have been known to enter the bloodstream and have been found in human breast milk.

When exploring the physical composition of any rug that you intend to bring into your home, keep in mind that the synthetic rubber backing on all slide-proof rugs can contain endocrine-disrupting ingredients and that the formaldehyde used in the adhesive to attach is a probable carcinogen known to cause ear, nose, and throat irritation.

How to Choose an Organic Rug

Now that you know what not to buy, it’s time to take a look at what you should be prioritizing when choosing an organic rug that’s both safe and beautiful.

Your first step will be to look at rugs with a natural composition. Natural fibers like cotton, wool, jute, and sisal are your best bet, but you might want to dig a little deeper and find out how they are sourced as well.

If they aren’t properly sourced, even natural materials can be problematic. Sustainably sourced materials will be free of pesticides and other chemicals, while others may not be.

Look for rugs that haven’t been surface treated in order to keep the toxicity levels in your home on the low end, and check for low-impact dyes. Many rug manufacturers use toxic, high-impact dyes to add vibrant, eye-catching hues to their fibers.

Keep a particularly close eye on wool rugs. While these are a beautiful, natural option, wool’s natural resistance to stains also makes it difficult to color naturally. Be sure to check out manufacturers that use vegetable dyes on their rugs and you should be in the clear.

Organic Rug Cleaning

Once you have brought the perfect, toxin-free, organic rug into your home, you will need to put some work into keeping it that way.

In order to maintain your rug’s pristine condition and avoid piling or excessive wear, start by turning off the brush roll on your vacuum. For the most part, the “hardwood” setting is all you will need to keep your rugs dirt and debris free. Having your guests remove their shoes at your front door will serve double duty by helping to keep environmental toxins from coming into your home and reduce the amount of dirt being tracked onto your beautiful organic rugs.

Regular cleanings will compensate for not having your rugs moth and insect treated. Stock up on some natural, chemical-free cleaners and aim to clean your high-traffic rugs every three to six months. To ensure that you get the most life out of your rugs, hire a professional cleaner that specializes in organic rug cleaning to give them a deep-dive twice a year.

Lingering questions about organic rugs or the organic rug cleaning service offered by Saatchi Rug Gallery? We are happy to answer any question that you have, give us a call today. 516-510-9188