Seagrass rugs are natural fiber rugs made from seagrass, which is a flowering plant that thrives in marine environments in the Asia-Pacific region.
These plants are native to this region.
Seagrass rugs have almost the same look and texture as other natural fiber rugs like jute rugs and sisal rugs, but they are more affordable. And because they are tightly woven, they are less plush compared to these other rugs.
Because of how seagrass rugs are made, they have very little to no shedding.
Here is how much seagrass rugs shed:
How much seagrass rugs shed mostly depends on how they are made. Most seagrass rugs are tightly woven like flat-weave rugs, so they do not shed at all. But there are some seagrass rugs that are a bit more loosely made. These can have a bit of shedding, but it is typically rare.
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Do Seagrass Rugs Shed More or Less than Other Types of Rugs?
Comparing them with other types of rugs, seagrass rugs shed a lot less. In fact, most seagrass rugs do not shed at all. This is because the fibers of seagrass rugs are very sturdy and resilient. They do not fall apart easily, even during manufacturing.
Additionally, seagrass rugs are so tightly woven.
The fibers are knotted and securely bound to each other. They typically look and feel like flat-weave rugs.
How Do you Prevent Seagrass Rugs from Shedding?
Since seagrass rugs have very little to no shedding, you do not need to take extra measures to prevent them from shedding. But just like all other rugs, they still need some care and attention to keep them looking great.
Here are some things you can do to maintain your seagrass rug.
Vacuum the rug regularly.
Regular vacuuming is the best way to clean your seagrass rug and keep it looking fresh. Vacuuming helps remove any loose dirt and debris from the rug. Regular vacuuming also generally helps prevent shedding for all types of rugs. For seagrass rugs, at least once a week should be enough.
When vacuuming, do not use the beater bar as it can damage the rug.
Make sure to go in different directions when vacuuming the rug, and make a few passes over the area to make sure that it has been thoroughly vacuumed.
Place a rug pad underneath.
Placing a rug pad underneath your seagrass rug also helps prevent it from shedding. Rug pads minimize the impact caused by foot traffic on your rug, and they would help prevent the fibers from wearing out easily.
Rug pads are recommended for all rugs as they add extra protection, especially if you will be placing the rug in high-traffic areas or if you have pets or kids in the house.
Spray the rug with a rug protector.
While this step is not necessary, it is always good to add another layer of protection to your rug. A rug protector spray would help keep the fibers intact, plus they can help your rug resist stains and dirt.
If you choose to do this, make sure to get a rug protector spray that is safe for natural fiber rugs.
How Often Should you Vacuum Seagrass Rugs to Avoid Shedding?
To prevent seagrass rugs from shedding, you only need to vacuum at least once or twice a week. Seagrass rugs shed very little, and most of them do not shed at all. So they are quite low maintenance compared to other natural fiber rugs.
When vacuuming your seagrass rug, just remember to do so in a low setting.
Also, avoid using the heavy beater bar as doing so can actually cause the rug to shed. It may even damage your rug.
What Causes a Rug to Shed?
Shedding is a very common occurrence for most rugs, but how much a rug sheds depends on the material it is made of.
One of the main causes of shedding is loose fibers.
This is very common among synthetic fiber rugs. When the fibers are not bound tightly to the backing of the rug, it tends to shed a lot.
This is why hand-knotted rugs have very little shedding. The fibers of hand-knotted rugs are bound to each other, instead of being glued or woven to a backing.
Fibers also become loose through normal wear and tear.
Rugs typically wear out faster when placed in high-traffic areas, or if you have pets or children running around the house. So if you own a rug that is prone to shedding, avoid placing it in high-traffic areas.
Shedding also occurs when the rug is brand new. This is a normal occurrence for natural fibers rugs like jute and sisal.
When short fibers are spun with longer fibers to make the yarn, these short fibers eventually come loose. Or sometimes, there are tiny bits of fiber that stick to the rug while it is being manufactured.
These are the common causes of shedding for brand new natural fiber rugs.
However, you do not have to be concerned about this because the shedding eventually stops for natural fiber rugs.
It stops after several weeks, but it could stop sooner if you vacuum the rug regularly. When the shedding stops, your natural fiber rug will be much softer than it was when it was still new.
Do Seagrass Rugs Stop Shedding Eventually?
Seagrass rugs do not normally shed. However in a rare occurrence that your brand new seagrass rug starts to shed, do not worry. The shedding will eventually stop.
This shedding is just caused by little bits of fiber that stick to the rug while it was being made. The rug would shed as the fibers fall off.
When this happens, just give your rug a little shake outdoors and vacuum it once a week. Give it two to three weeks, and your seagrass rug will stop shedding.
Seagrass rugs may not be as popular as other types of rugs, but they are slowly becoming in demand in the rug market.
Seagrass rugs may be cheaper but they look really nice and they add a bit of texture to your room. And yes, they rarely shed. So if you are looking for a good natural fiber that is affordable and still looks great, we would definitely recommend getting a seagrass rug.
Sources:
Seagrass Rugs – Everything You Need To Know