Shedding is common in rugs, especially those made from natural fibers. Most rugs shed at one point during their life cycle, wherein some would eventually stop shedding, while the others would shed continuously to become problematic.
Most natural fiber rugs tend to shed a lot, especially when they are brand new, but a couple of natural fiber rugs shed very little or at least less than the others.
Here Are the Natural Fiber Rugs that Shed the Least:
Seagrass rugs, sisal rugs, and silk rugs shed the least. They are also known to be the toughest ones. Seagrass rugs have very little shedding to none, while sisal rugs have very little shedding even when they are brand new. Silk rugs may be prone to damage, but authentic ones do not shed.
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Do All Types Of Natural Fiber Rugs Shed?
Every type of natural fiber rug is different from the others as each type is made or sourced from a different material. Some natural fibers are stronger and more resilient than others.
That being said, not all types of natural fiber rugs shed.
Here are the types of natural fiber rugs that do shed:
- Wool Rugs – These rugs shed excessively, especially when they are brand new. Wool rugs are high-quality rugs that are very popular, but the biggest downside to them is that they shed a lot.
- Jute Rugs – These rugs closely resemble sisal rugs, but their fibers lack the toughness and resilience of sisal fibers. Jute rugs tend to shed a lot when brand new, but it eventually stops after a month or two.
- Hemp Rugs – These rugs are also very prone to shedding. Hemp rugs shed a lot to the point of being problematic.
And these are the rugs that do not shed at all or have very little shedding.
Seagrass Rugs
Seagrass rugs are natural fiber rugs made from seagrass, a flowering plant native to the Southeast Asian region, specifically in marine environments.
These rugs are known to have very little to no shedding at all. Seagrass rugs are tightly woven, just like flat-weave rugs, so most of them do not shed at all.
Some seagrass rugs shed a little, but this is because some loose fibers are stuck to them. These loose fibers come off when you unwrap the rug from its packaging and unroll it. But this is typically rare.
Seagrass rugs are your best bet if you want an affordable natural fiber rug that feels soft and comfortable underfoot, with almost no shedding.
Sisal Rugs
Sisal rugs are made from the sisal plant’s fibers, the agave plant. This plant is native to Mexico, Brazil, and Africa.
Sisal rugs are one of the toughest rugs, with the most resilient fibers. Because of this, sisal rugs shed very little.
Most sisal rugs are shed in the first couple of weeks when they are brand new. This shedding is caused by loose fibers sticking to the rug, which come off when the rug is unwrapped from its packaging. After a few weeks, sisal rugs would stop shedding.
The downside to sisal rugs is that they have a coarse texture, which is not comfortable underfoot. Still, sisal rugs are tough and good quality, with very little shedding, and can last for decades.
Silk Rugs
Silk rugs are natural rugs made from fibers derived from the cocoons of silkworms.
Silk fibers are very elegant, but they can be very expensive. This is why silk rugs are not that common.
Some rug makers combine silk fibers with wool fibers to make elegant rugs slightly more affordable than those made of pure silk.
Silk rugs do not shed at all. This is because they are typically woven flat and made of low piles.
However, these rugs are very delicate and prone to damage. This is why they are unsuitable for moderate-to-high foot traffic areas. They are only good as decorative or accent rugs.
Do Natural Fiber Rugs Shed More Than Other Types Of Rugs?
Compared to other types of rugs, natural fiber rugs shed more.
Almost all natural fiber rugs shed at one point in their life cycle, whereas synthetic fiber rugs generally shed less.
However, this does not mean that natural fiber rugs are not durable. The amount of shedding does not indicate a rug’s durability and expected life span.
Natural fiber rugs are the most durable ones, and they are known to last very long. Some can last for more than a decade, some for a few decades, and some for generations.
Synthetic rugs shed less, but they are known to last for only 5 to 10 years at best. Most synthetic rugs wear out fast and fall apart after 5 years, and you would have no choice but to replace them.
Plus, the shedding of natural fibers rugs will eventually stop after a couple of months, leaving you with a softer rug with no fiber pulls.
Can You Avoid Shedding Completely With Natural Fiber Rugs?
Shedding is normal for these rugs. That being said, you cannot completely avoid shedding with natural fiber rugs.
It is a part of their life cycle and is not permanent.
For most natural fiber rugs, the shedding is temporary and would last for only a few weeks. For some rugs, it would last for a few months at worst. But it will eventually stop.
Plus, the shedding does not affect the rug’s quality or durability. It can even leave your rug feeling softer as the loose fibers come off.
How Quickly Do Natural Fiber Rugs Start To Shed?
Natural fiber rugs start to shed as soon as you unwrap them and use them.Â
When you get a brand new rug, and you unwrap it from its packaging, it can immediately start shedding as the loose fibers sticking to the rug are released.
You will see little bits of fiber coming off as you unroll the rug, which is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
The shedding will stop for most natural fiber rugs in a few weeks.
Wool rugs will continuously shed for a couple more months, which is also normal for these rugs. As the months pass, you will notice that your wool rug sheds less and less until it eventually stops shedding.
Do Natural Fiber Rugs Shed More When New?
Many new rug owners have complained that their brand new rug is shedding, unaware that this is a normal occurrence for natural fiber rugs.
Natural fiber rugs shed more when they are new. This is normal and part of the rug’s life cycle.
Depending on the type of natural fiber rug, these rugs would stop shedding after a few weeks or months.
How To Stop Natural Fiber Rug From Shedding?
Shedding is a normal occurrence for natural fiber rugs, and it should not be a major concern for any rug owners as it eventually stops.
There is no perfect way to stop a natural fiber rug from shedding. However, you can minimize it.
Here is how:
Place the Rug in a Low-Traffic Area:
This is not required, but ideally, if you want to minimize the shedding in your rug, then it is recommended to place it in a low-traffic area of the house.
If the type of natural fiber rug you have is prone to shedding, like jute or hemp, then place it in an area of the house with low foot traffic. These rugs will shed more if you place them in high-traffic areas.
If the rug has typically strong and resilient fibers, like seagrass and sisal, then you can place them in high-traffic areas.
These rugs hold up well in areas with high foot traffic.
Vacuum the Rug Regularly:
All rugs need to be vacuumed regularly.
Vacuuming helps minimize the shedding and removes any loose fibers clinging to the rug.
Vacuuming also helps clean these rugs by removing dirt, dust, and debris. While some rugs need to be vacuumed twice a week, some only need to be vacuumed once weekly.
Remember to do so gently when vacuuming natural fiber rugs using the lowest setting. Also, avoid using the heavy beater bar, so you do not damage the rug.
Place a Rug Pad Underneath:
While rug pads are not necessary, they are still good.
A good-quality rug pad can help minimize the shedding on your rug. This is because rug pads absorb some of the impacts on the rug when walking on it.
Whether or not your rug already has a backing material, placing a rug pad underneath it is always a good idea. Rug pads add an extra layer of protection for your rug to last longer.
Apply a Rug Protector Spray:
This is another optional step, but it can help prevent your rug from shedding or at least minimize it.
Fabric protector sprays are designed to strengthen the surface of the rug. These sprays are safe and will not affect the rug’s texture or color.
A rug protector spray can help cut down the shedding on your rug while protecting it from stains.
Just make sure to buy one suitable for the type of natural fiber your rug is made of. Spray sprays are specifically designed for wool rugs; some are made just for plant fiber rugs.
While it is very common for natural fiber rugs to shed, it does not mean that you should not buy them. Shedding is a normal occurrence for these rugs, and it eventually stops.
However, if shedding is a big deal for you, then your best bet for an area rug made from natural fibers would be seagrass or sisal rugs.
Sources:
Natural Fiber Rugs – A Guide To Your New Favorite Rugs