Polyester rugs are a type of synthetic material rug. Polyester fibers are manufactured fibers and are categorized as polymers.
Even though they are synthetic material rugs, polyester rugs can mimic the look of wool and cotton. They can be quite comfortable underfoot. They can come in many different colors because they are normally dyed to produce different designs.
They are also easy to clean and maintain.
However, the downside to polyester rugs is that they shed and are known as one of the least resilient types of rugs:
Here is Why Polyester Rugs Shed:
Polyester rugs shed when the fibers are not bound tightly to the backing. Polyester fibers are not the most durable ones around. Area rugs experience lots of foot traffic. The fibers of polyester rugs tend to pull apart from the backing, causing them to shed. They can also be prone to pilling.
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Do Polyester Rugs Shed More or Less than Other Types of Rugs?
Polyester rugs shed a lot to the point of it being problematic. Polyester rugs shed the most compared to other synthetic material rugs, like nylon rugs and polypropylene rugs.
Polyester rugs are the most affordable compared to the other synthetic material rug types.
Compared to natural material rugs, polyester rugs still shed more. Most natural material rugs like jute and sisal shed, but only when new. The shedding usually stops after a couple of months, unlike polyester rugs that shed continuously.
Wool rugs probably shed as much as polyester rugs. However, wool rugs can be hand-woven, making them more durable than polyester rugs.
Because polyester rugs shed so much and do not last very long, many people have recommended them only if you are looking for rugs for short-term use.
How Do you Prevent Polyester Rugs from Shedding?
Shedding is very normal for polyester rugs. Therefore there is no perfect way to stop it from shedding completely. However, you can still minimize it.
Here is what you can do to lessen the occurrence of shedding for polyester rugs:
Be Careful About Where to Place the Rug:
If you can, place the rug in a low-traffic area.
Polyester rugs tend to shed more when they experience high foot traffic, especially when you have many household members or pets in the house.
Or better yet, place the polyester rug underneath furniture like a coffee table or dresser where it will not experience any foot traffic.
Use a Rug Pad:
Put a rug pad underneath the rug. This will minimize the rug’s impact and prevent any damage to the pile.
A good rug pad will prevent the rug from slipping and help make your rug last longer.
Vacuum the Rug:
Lightly vacuum the polyester rug, going with the grain of the pile and never against it.
Do this regularly to minimize shedding. Never use the heavy-beater bar as this might cause damage to the rug. Use the lowest setting.
How Often Should you Vacuum Polyester Rugs to Avoid Shedding?
Vacuuming your polyester rug regularly will help avoid or minimize shedding.
As a rule of thumb, rugs should be vacuumed at least once a week to keep them clean.
For polyester rugs, it is recommended to vacuum them multiple times a week. Twice or thrice a week is good to lessen the occurrence of shedding.
What Causes a Rug to Shed?
Shedding is a very common occurrence for most rugs, but this can vary depending on what material or fabric the rug is made of.
Shedding occurs when there are loose fibers. It means that some of the fibers are not tightly bound to the rug’s backing or when the fibers are not too tightly woven with each other.
It also happens when there is a lot of activity or foot traffic in the household.
People walk on the rug. Some pets run over the rug. The rug fibers tend to come loose as a part of normal wear and tear.
Do Polyester Rugs Stop Shedding Eventually?
Many rugs like linen, jute, and wool eventually stop shedding.
Shedding is part of their natural life cycle, especially when they are new, and then it would stop after a few months.
For polyester rugs, it is a different case. Polyester rugs keep shedding continuously—this is why they are considered one of the least resilient and durable rugs out there.
Even after months of use, polyester rugs will continue to shed.
What Types of Rugs Shed the Least?
Most types of rugs tend to shed. The severity of shedding varies and mostly depends on how it was made.
In general, machine-made rugs tend to be shed more frequently. These are rugs made out of synthetic textiles such as acrylic or nylon and, of course, polyester.
Flat Weave Rugs:
If you want to prioritize little to no shedding when shopping for rugs, get one rug with a flat or woven weave.
Flatweave rugs are made by weaving vertical yarns through horizontal yarns. Most flatweave rugs are reversible because they are not woven into a backing. So the back side is pretty much the mirror image of the front.
These rugs have incredibly tight fibers. A flat weave wool rug will be ideal if you want a wool rug since it will shed less even though wool sheds so much.
Cotton Rugs:
Cotton is another type of rug that does not shed much.
Cotton fibers can be used for either flatweave rugs or woven rugs, and they can be dyed to create many different designs and patterns.
Cotton rugs are soft. They add some warmth to any space. But unlike other types of rugs, they do not provide a lot of foot cushioning.
Cotton rugs are often machine washable, making them simple to clean and maintain. It is one of the good things about cotton rugs. They are also quite affordable. The only downside to cotton rugs is that they do not last very long.
Polypropylene Rugs:
Like polyester, polypropylene rugs are synthetic material rugs. They also mimic the look of wool rugs to add warmth to any space.
Unlike polyester rugs, polypropylene rugs have little to no shedding. They are very durable and can be used both indoors and outdoors.They are even made for high-traffic areas, and they can withstand outdoor elements.
Of course, it follows that they cost more than polyester rugs because polypropylene rugs can last for a very long time.
Nylon Rugs:
Nylon rugs are made of fibers that are considered thermoplastic with a silk-like finish. They are synthetic and machine-made.
Just like polypropylene rugs, nylon rugs have very little shedding. They do well in areas with high foot traffic.
They are great for outdoor use because they are durable and can withstand any weather or outdoor condition.
If budget is more your priority, polyester rugs would be a good choice. They can come in beautiful designs that add some decor to your space. Just make sure to put them in light traffic areas to last longer.
However, if you have the money to splurge on a rug, it is better to get one that would not shed and last very long. The best option would be a hand-woven wool rug.
Hand-woven rugs are durable because the yarns are tightly bound to each other instead of backing. And while the wool rug would shed initially, it eventually stops.
Sources:
Polyester Rugs: Everything You Need To Know