The invention of rugs was a marvelous gift that can be traced back 5,000 years ago. The tribal people of the nomadic age used to hand-weave the rugs using the fur of animals. The primary objective was to protect themselves against the adverse weather.
The modern version of rugs is traced from China, where people used various fabrics to make rugs with different designs. Gradually, people started using various fabrics, majorly wool, to develop these pieces. They used jute, cotton, wool, leather, and acrylic fibers.
Acrylic rugs, however, grew as the most famous variety of rugs in the market. They proved as one of the cheapest yet strong varieties of rugs.
What Is an Acrylic Rug?
The acrylic rug is a type of small coverup for the floor made up of synthetic fabric. Acrylic rugs are rich and smooth, equivalent to the texture of woolen rugs. There are artificial fabrics often mixed with natural fabrics to enhance the strength of the quality of the rugs.
Are Acrylic Rugs Good?
Although there are several acrylic rugs’ pros and cons to be considered, they are the best alternative to any natural fabric rug. However, acrylic rugs are better than natural fabric rugs in several ways.
Acrylic rugs are cost-effective and require less maintenance. It is floaty, smooth, and snuggly. It can be dyed into any color. The acrylic fabric has a great immersion and releasing capacity. This means that the fabric can easily absorb water and can easily drain itself. Thus, it’s an airy fabric.
Acrylic rugs can adapt to any condition; they do not shrink and are irrepressible, and maintains their shape.
The fabric is “flexible” in the sense that it can be modified to provide a texture of wool, cotton, or any other mixed fabric.
Acrylic rugs are used on the floor and go through a rough experience. Therefore, the acrylic fabric is the best as it is quite sturdy. It remains unaffected by sunlight, oils, insects, or chemicals.
How Can You Tell the Quality of a Rug?
An ideal acrylic rug must be cost-effective. It should not cost more than 5 dollars per square foot.
The number of knots in a rug varies from 25 to 1,000 knots per square inch. If the knots are below 80, it is accepted as an inferior or shaggy rug. A good quality rug is produced with the maximum number of knots and intricate designs. An average quality rug can have a knot density of around 120-350 knots per square inch or less.
The rugs that have knots of more than 350 are superior.
The density of knots assures the lifespan of the rugs. Since it is used in a rough way where people rub their feet daily, it is important to buy a rug with a high density of knots so that the yarns remain in place and do not get separated.
If you get the information mentioned above about your rugs, the quality is assured.
Are Acrylic Rugs Toxic?
While there are many acrylic rugs pros and cons, one thing that we are sure is that they are not toxic. They comprise majorly of nylon, acrylic, polypropylene, or polyester. These materials are non-biodegradable materials that are not sustainable.
Also, the use of chemicals while dying the fabrics adds to the toxins’ quantity in the rugs. Producers often use toxic synthetic rubber and chemical adhesives that make it more noxious.
How Do You Clean an Acrylic Rug?
Your rug can get dirty through prolonged exposure to dirt or some spillage like vine, sauce, gravy, or any other wet item. To clean the rugs in both situations, you can vacuum clean, or wash them.
To clean it with a vacuum cleaner, you can hang the rug on a sturdy rope and clean it from one corner to another.
If you want to wash it, you either wash it manually or use a washing machine’s assistance. But, to wash it in the machine, you need to take some special care. You must make sure that you do not use any other clothes to wash while washing an acrylic rug.
This might result in the loss of threads or the breaking of knots. You can put a gentle detergent in the washing machine and rub a mild detergent concentrate on the stained area.
To wash it manually, you can do the same and rub it with a gentle brush to avoid any harm to the knots of the rug. You should always remember that rugs are tough but not as sturdy as a carpet, so be gentle while washing them.
Why Are Acrylic and Polyester Mixed to Make Rugs?
To strengthen the quality of rugs, acrylic and polyester are often mixed with natural fabrics. This avoids the chances of getting a frizzy texture of the fibers that degenerate the quality of rugs. These synthetic fabrics are sturdier than any other fabrics and don’t weaken easily. It also lessens the cost of the rug.
How Long Should Rugs Last?
The longevity of a rug depends on several factors like traffic, the material of the carpet, and its “audience.” The audience here refers to the people who will use the carpet.
If many feet land on the rug daily, it will automatically worsen the lifespan of the rug. It is necessary to manage and fix the carpet with an anti-slip Velcro to fix the rug to the ground. This will prevent the loss of yarn in the carpet.
The material used to make the rug plays the most important role. Whether natural or human-made, the material must be sturdy and have resistance against heat, UV rays, and moisture.
Also, the rug might lose its quality if the “audience” mishandles it. In other words, if the carpet accommodates children or pets, it may lessen its quality. The sharp claws spilled food, and messy hands might stain the rug and force you to wash it frequently. Washing it frequently will result in the loss of yarns and make it weak.
However, on average, a rug might last from 4 years to 20 years, which depends on how you maintain it.
