Soft, colorful, and stylish, wool rugs from Natural Area Rugs are the perfect addition to any room. Our selection of ready-to-ship viscose area rugs are guaranteed to look great for years to come.
Contemporary rugs can bring life to any room and help tie all your furnishings and decorations together. Modern styles can incorporate a variety of colors and patterns, including tying in stylistic designs typically found in oriental rugs. There are many different types of materials that can be used to make rugs, including both natural and synthetic materials. One popular synthetic material often used for contemporary rugs is viscose. Understanding how these rugs are made and how they hold up compared to other popular materials can help you decide if a viscose rug is the right choice for your home.
Viscose is a manufactured material that is often marketed as silk when used to make contemporary rugs. However, while silk is a natural material that is collected from the cocoons of a caterpillar sometimes referred to as a silkworm, viscose is produced by treating cellulose with carbon disulfide and sodium hydroxide. Other names often used for this material is rayon, art silk, or bamboo silk.
Like any material, there are both advantages and disadvantages of viscose rugs. One reason this material is popular is that it has a very similar appearance and texture as silk without the high price tag. These rugs are very soft to the touch and can be dyed any color, making it easy to find a design that can match any décor. The material is resistant to fading and can be placed in sunlight but not exposed to water.
If you’re looking for contemporary rugs that can withstand a lot of foot traffic, then you might want to consider a different material. Viscose rugs are very delicate and prone to shedding. They can be walked on about 70 times before becoming visibly bent, and they can easily become yellow or discolored due to stains or excess moisture in the room. This material is not ideal for areas that children and pets will frequently walk and play on.
Special care needs to be taken when cleaning viscose rugs. It’s best to keep this type of rug in areas that won’t get too dirty so that they only require minimal cleaning. This material is very sensitive to water, so never steam clean viscose or try to remove stains with large amounts of water.
Since viscose is so difficult to clean and maintain, it is often recommended that you seek help from an experienced rug cleaner for the best results. You can potentially ruin these contemporary rugs with improper cleaning.
The best way to remove dirt or dust from the surface of the rug is by using a carpet sweeper to brush off any debris. Avoid using a vacuum if possible, as heat can cause the fiber to shrink. If you do need to vacuum your rug, make sure to use the lowest setting possible and disengage the beater bars.
If you spill any liquids on a viscose rug, blot out as much as the liquid as possible. Determine which way the weave runs and blot in that direction to avoid causing strands to come loose. Choose a cloth that is a light color since dark or bold colors can potentially bleed onto the rug. Place the cloth over the spill and place a heavy object on it to apply pressure. Let the towel sit for at least 24 hours and don’t remove the towel or object for any reason.
If the spill remains, use a cleaning solution of vinegar or dish soap with cold water. Never pour water on to the rug. Instead, use a spray bottle to apply the solution and then use a cloth to blot out the liquid. You can also spray on fabric softener to the area to help the fibers remain soft and luxurious. Grab a hairdryer and work on drying the area using the lowest, cool setting. Once dry, use a napping brush to help fluff the strands back into their original position. If any staining remains after this process, the next step is to get professional help.
While some people choose viscose rugs due to their elegance and silk-like texture, this type of contemporary rug is not best for everyone. There are many other great materials for area rugs, including natural fiber rugs. Although a more expensive option, wool rugs are very popular due to their extreme durability, softness, attractive appearance, and versatility. Not all wool rugs are made of equal quality, but some might argue that this is the best material for an area rug.
Before buying a viscose rug, consider where you want the area rug to be used and how likely it is to get dirty or damaged. There are plenty of more durable materials if you need a rug that is easier to clean and maintain.