Viscose fiber can mimic the look of wool, cotton, linen, and silk.
For rugs, it mostly resembles silk. Viscose rugs can be quite soft and comfortable. Plus, they are very versatile.
The downside to viscose rugs is they do tend to shed.
Here is Why Viscose Rugs Shed:
Viscose is a fiber made from chemically processed wood pulp, normally from pine, beech, and eucalyptus. The fibers of viscose rugs go through a lot of chemical processing to produce them, making them weak and brittle. This is why viscose rugs shed and have fiber pulls.
How Much Do Viscose Rugs Shed?
Viscose rugs shed too much to the point of being problematic.
They used to be called disposable rugs because they do not perform well even under normal use or in moderate traffic areas.
When placed in an area that experiences heavy foot traffic, like pets or kids running around the household, viscose rugs will continue shedding.
Do Viscose Rugs Shed More or Less than Other Rugs?
Compared to other rugs, such as those with natural fibers like sisal, cotton, and linen, viscose rugs shed more.
Other rugs would only shed initially and eventually stop, but viscose rugs will shed continually.
Many people mistake aggressively vacuuming their viscose rugs to remove the shedding, but it damages the rug even more. Vacuuming aggressively actually aggravates the shedding because it pulls out the fibers.
However, it is important to note that wool rugs shed more than most types of rugs, including viscose rugs.
Why Do Viscose Rugs Shed so Much?
As previously mentioned, viscose fibers go through a lot of processing to produce the textile used to make the rugs and other household items.
Producing viscose fibers includes dissolving the wood into a pulp solution. Afterward, it is then washed, cleaned, and bleached. Then they are treated again to make the fibers used for textile products.
This makes them so weak that they produce low-quality rugs that are not as durable compared to other rugs.
Do Viscose Rugs Stop Shedding over Time?
With most rugs, the shedding eventually stops as shedding is part of a rug’s natural life cycle.
The shedding can even help soften the rug over time and give them a nice velvety texture.
However, it is different for viscose rugs. Viscose rugs shed so much that they are expected to shed continually. You can vacuum them regularly to decrease or minimize the shedding, but it will never completely stop.
Can you Stop a Viscose Rug from Shedding?
To put it directly, no, there is no way to stop a viscose rug from shedding. The most that you can do to maintain your viscose rug is decrease the shedding.
Here is how you can minimize the shedding of your viscose rug:
Vacuum Regularly but Lightly:
When vacuuming your viscose rug, make sure to do it in a low setting and do it lightly, going with the grain of the pile.
Do not vacuum against the grain. Do not use a heavy beater bar or vacuum on the setting closest to the ground.
Use a High-Quality Rug Pad:
Putting a rug pad under the viscose rug will absorb shock and reduce further damage to the rug. Rug pads can be of any material.
In general, the best rug pads that you can get combine a layer of synthetic felt with natural rubber backing.
This type of rug pad will help prevent damage to your rug while protecting your floor at the same time.
Move the Rug to an Area with Light Foot Traffic:
Heavy foot traffic further aggravates the shedding of rugs in general.
Moving the rug to an area with light foot traffic would help minimize it.
If you have kids or pets in the household, avoid putting the rug on areas where kids or pets tend to run.
Apply a Fiber Protector When the Rug is Brand New:
While a fiber protector will not stop the shedding of your viscose rug, it will boost the rug’s repellency from spills.
Thus it will minimize the need for intensive cleaning, which is known to cause damage and more shedding on viscose rugs.
What Types of Rugs Do Not Shed Much?
Rugs that do not shed a lot are very durable and can last for a long time.
Getting rugs that do not shed much will let you get your money’s worth:
Flat Weave Rugs:
If you want to prioritize little to no shedding when buying rugs, look for a 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.
These rugs have incredibly tight fibers that are less likely to leave rug bunnies underfoot compared to high pile rugs. A flat weave wool rug will be ideal if you want a wool rug since it will shed less even though woolsheds so much.
Cotton Rugs:
Cotton is another type of rug that does not shed a lot.
Cotton can be used for either flatweave rugs or woven rugs. Cotton rugs are soft and add some warmth underfoot, but they do not provide a lot of cushioning.
Cotton rugs are often machine washable, making them simple to clean and maintain. Plus, they are affordable too!
Synthetic Rugs:
Synthetic rugs are also good for buying rugs that do not shed a lot.
Synthetic rugs are so versatile that they come in various colors and patterns. They are more affordable than the natural woven ones.
Synthetic rugs made with polypropylene, acrylic, and polyester have little to no shedding and are very cost-effective. They are very durable and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
These types of rugs have good longevity too.
Final Thoughts:
All the rugs mentioned are good for any house, even those with heavy traffic.
They are especially good if you have kids or pets running around the house.
Rugs can be quite expensive, so it is important to get your money’s worth when buying rugs. Compared to other rugs, viscose rugs are cheap but do remember that affordability has its cons.
Sources:
FAQs – Viscose Rugs Pros And Cons, Cleaning And Everything
Is Viscose a Good Material for Rugs?