How would you feel to have chemical-free area rugs in your home?
It may be a great addition in terms of design and of making your home safer for you and your loved ones.
What does it mean for an area rug to be chemical-free?
It can refer to two things. First, it refers to the rug itself, the material is made of, the dyes used (if any), and if it’s treated with certain chemicals.
Secondly, it can refer to how the area rug is cleaned; whether chemical-free cleaning products are used or not.
I will take each of them and detail them.
Going for chemical-free area rugs can have some great benefits.
Benefits of having chemical-free area rugs
No hidden chemicals in your area rug
When they enter your home, you may think area rugs don’t actually contain chemicals.
Of course, it’s not like buying a cleaning solution. You can actually see the chemicals by reading the ingredients list.
The chemicals from area rugs may be hidden in the material, the pesticides and insecticides used to treat it, the dyes used to color it, and the adhesives used to make it.
They may be dangerous for your health and you may want a healthier alternative.
Chemical-free area rugs can be a better option and you may want to consider them if you have small children and pets.
Bamboo rugs
Another great option are bamboo rugs.
Imagine a normal rug, but made entirely of bamboo. They can be really chic and are also eco-friendly.
Learn more about them and about bamboo rug over carpet.
Can complement your home
If you want to add some color or a new element to your home, chemical-free area rugs can be a great choice.
You have a wide variety of products to choose from and that will fit your interior design.
What chemicals can rugs contain?
Synthetic materials
Synthetic materials are used to make area rugs. Polypropylene and nylon are two common examples. Synthetic rubber can also be used to produce area rugs.
The problem with these materials, especially the first two is they are plastic materials made of petroleum.
The plastic industry is one of the greatest pollutants. Every plastic product and material contributes to it.
Chemical-free area rugs are usually made of natural materials such as cotton, wool, bamboo, or seagrass.
Dyes
The colors you see in area rugs can be obtained using dyes which may be dangerous or even toxic.
Some producers may use stronger dyes to treat rugs with.
Glues & adhesives
In order to put all the pieces together, producers may use glues and adhesives.
These products are very likely to contain formaldehyde and other chemicals.
Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical used to produce toilet paper, paper towels, and even keratin hair treatments.
If you’re interested in this topic, learn more about formaldehyde-free toilet paper.
Pesticides & insecticides
Pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides are solutions used to treat materials for area rugs.
What you need to keep in mind is that synthetic and natural materials can be treated with these solutions.
In order to avoid them, you may have to do a little research about the manufacturing company.
Look for information about the company and product reviews.
Chemicals used in rug and carpet cleaners
I’ve mentioned earlier carpet cleaners.
These products play a great role in the safety of your area rug.
They are the same as any cleaning product. If it contains harsh chemicals, it may pose a threat to your health and safety.
Here are a few examples of chemicals you may want to avoid.
Perchloroethylene
Perchloreothylene is found in products used for dry cleaning.
The problem with this chemical is that it has been linked to central nervous system problems, liver and kidney damage, in case of long-term exposure.
Short-term exposure may cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and sweating.
Ammonium hydroxide
Ammonium hydroxide has been linked to skin irritations and burns (when exposed directly to the skin), as well as breathing problems.
Fragrances
Fragrances are another common ingredient used in carpet and area rugs cleaners and shampoos.
They give products their nice smell. The problem is fragrances are endocrine disruptors, meaning they can mimic human hormones and send false signals to the body.
How to make your own carpet cleaner
In order to take care of your chemical-free area rugs, you need to use the proper cleaning products.
There are two big ways of cleaning your area rugs: buy chemical-free cleaning products or make your own.
You will need:
- white vinegar
- baking soda
Mix the two and apply the paste on the stain with a small brush. The quantity of the ingredients depends on the stain size.
Let it sit and then vacuum it. You can use a hypoallergenic vacuum cleaner.
If you’re looking at a strong stain (e.g. wine stain), use hydrogen peroxide. Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed.