Why Rugs Shed and How to Prevent It
First, the bad news: yes, all rugs will shed eventually. It’s a natural consequence of the materials used to make them and how those materials are woven together.
Now, the good news: the nicer your rug, the less it will shed. That means by investing in a high-quality, hand-woven rug - like the kind of hand-knotted Sisal rugs we make - you can enjoy your rug far longer without worrying about shedding and reduce the amount of shedding you’ll have to deal with overall.
In fact, by understanding why shedding happens and how it works, you can take even more steps to prevent it for as long as possible. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your high-quality rug whole:
Why do rugs shed?
Artisans make rugs by weaving long fibers together into knots as tightly as possible. Over time and use, however, a rug’s weaving will begin to loosen and unravel. As this happens, small fibers may come out of the weave or “shed” onto the rug’s surface.
Different rugs shed at different rates. Generally speaking, the higher the quality of the rug’s fibers and the more tightly woven the rug itself, the longer it will resist shedding. This means hand-knotted, natural fiber rugs usually last longer than machine-woven rugs made with cheaper materials.
Rugs also start to shed and fray faster when they’re subjected to heavy foot traffic. Pounding pressure can force apart the knots holding the rug together, forcing loose fibers out of place and onto the surface. If you want to avoid shedding for as long as possible, make sure any rugs you place in heavily trafficked areas are especially durable.
Do sisal rugs shed?
Yes. All plant fibers shed to some degree, including sisal. As the most durable plant fiber rugs are made of, however, sisal rugs shed significantly less than rugs made of other plant fibers like jute. This can make them a great choice for avoiding shedding as long as possible.
What should I do if my rug is shedding?
Shedding isn’t necessarily a sign that your rug is in poor condition, especially if it’s relatively new.
When artisans first weave natural rugs, for example, tiny excess fibers may split off and bury themselves in the rug during the process. These loose fibers work their way out of a rug early in its lifespan, which means natural rugs (especially rugs woven from wool) shed more when you start using them than they might later.
If your new rug sheds excessively, consider hanging it up and lightly beating it with a carpet beater. This will help force the loose, unwoven threads out of the rug. Don’t worry about loosening the weave of the rug itself in the process; high-quality rugs made of natural threads like wool and sisal can take what you can dish out.
If your rug starts shedding after years of hard use, you may have begun to wear it out. But that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to its shedding! Carefully clean and vacuum your shedding rug to pull the loose fabric out of the knots and away from the woven structure itself. Make sure you don’t use a beater bar on your rug while you vacuum, or you could wind up loosening the rug’s weave.
How can I prevent shedding?
There are several easy ways you can minimize how much any of your rugs shed. First, consider investing in rug backings, especially for any rugs in high-traffic areas. Rug backing absorbs the impact of foot traffic and helps keep the rug’s weaving tighter for longer. They can also help keep visitors from slipping on your rug and tearing it.
You should also lightly clean and vacuum your rugs regularly. As dirt and other debris accumulates inside a rug, it can eventually sink into the weaving and knotting, forcing the rug apart faster. Simply vacuuming over the surface of your rug lightly but thoroughly should help prevent this kind of damage, as you’ll gently lift debris through the weave and out.
Keep in mind that natural rugs like wool and sisal do absorb moisture far more readily than synthetic fibers. As these rugs become saturated, their bindings loosen and they fray over time. If your natural rugs start to feel damp and shed quickly, consider moving them or dehumidifying the area.
Though all rugs shed to one degree or another, investing in high-quality, hand-woven rugs like the ones at Sisal Rugs Direct is the best way to make rug shedding as small a part of your life as possible.
When you’re ready to find a rug that’s right for you, start designing it to your exact specifications using our online rug customizer.
