Rugs come in many different materials such as wool, silk and cotton; but wool is known as one of the most common and luxurious types of material used for rugs.
In this article, we will explore 11 benefits of wool rugs, some of which we guarantee you won’t have considered before.
This is a great place to start when looking at purchasing a new wool rug, so let’s jump right into the list.
1. Cosiness
There is nothing like a wool rug to give a room that cosy feeling.
Wool provides warmth underfoot which pairs especially well with hardwood flooring, not only to protect it from scratches but also to protect your feet from the hardwood when it is cold. This can totally transform a room and works extremely well in colder climates or in the colder months of the year.
2. Water Repellent
This one may come as a surprise, but wool as a material is actually naturally water repellent.
This is because the surface of the fibres contains a waxy layer that is hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. In practical terms, this means wool rugs can withstand small spillages of water by repelling the droplets away.
3. Absorbent
Contrary to the last point, wool is also absorbent whilst being water repellent.
This is a result of the outer layer being hydrophobic whilst the inner part of the fibre is absorbent. In practical terms this means that small spills will be repelled, however, if there is an excess of liquid or it is allowed to sit for a long time then it will absorb the liquid.
This is also good for humid rooms as the wool will absorb some moisture from the air.
4. Environmentally Friendly
Wool is an entirely sustainable and environmentally friendly material, unlike synthetic materials such as polyester.
If you are concerned about the environmental footprint of the rug that you want to buy then wool is a great option.
5. Available in a Wide Variety of Colors
Wool can be easily dyed into just about any color imaginable, which makes a lot of room for creativity within your home.
This is important to consider when designing or contemplating the layout and aesthetic of a particular room. Having access to a wide range of colors can make this process easier and is a sure-fire way to get the design just how you want it.
6. Softness
This one is a bit of a no brainer, but important nonetheless – wool is known for being extremely soft and luxurious.
If you’re looking for a rug that will feel nice just as nice to walk on as it looks then wool is the right way to go. You only have to experience a thick wool rug once to know if it is what you are looking for in a rug.
7. Durability
A lot of natural materials are inherently durable, and wool is no exception to this rule.
Wool is highly durable which makes wool rugs perfect for areas of the home that experience high footfall, such as entryways and kitchens. If you want a rug that will last for years and years then wool makes a great choice.
8. Hides Dirt Well
Another key benefit of wool rugs is how exceptional they are at hiding dirt, even if you choose a light color such as white or cream.
Wool fibres are great at hiding dirt and dust which, as we all know, can build up very quickly in a rug. This does have its drawbacks though, mainly that you may end up not cleaning your rug as often as you should because it will look clean most of the time.
This leads directly on to our next benefit regarding maintenance,
9. Easy To Maintain
Wool rugs are super easy to maintain and only require vacuuming once or twice a week depending on how much footfall they receive. They are also highly stain-resistant, which makes dealing with them a breeze.
The only other thing to consider is to clean up any spills as fast as possible, which you should be doing anyway.
10. Protection
Wool rugs provide great protection to the floor below.
Not only do they absorb spills and catch dust and debris, but they also provide protection from scratches and surface damage that can regularly happen to floors. No matter how hard you try to keep your floor in pristine condition it is only a matter of time before it will get damaged, and having a wool rug in place can help to prevent this.
The cost to repair something like water damage to a floor can be quite high, which is why a wool rug can be seen as an insurance policy.
11. Hypoallergenic
Wool is naturally hypoallergenic by trapping dust within its fibres that can contain a wide variety of materials such as pollen or fungal spores that can trigger allergic reactions.
Final Thoughts
There are loads of benefits of wool rugs and they make a great addition to any home. If you have any other benefits that we’ve missed on this list, then please get in touch to let us know!