Wool carpets are great to use and have a widespread history as well. Almost 8000 years ago, people learnt the art of shearing goats and sheep and creating wool and fantastic weaving techniques. Soon, people realized the need for insulation and warmth and that's how carpets came into existence eventually. Wool carpets are the best products to be used for keeping your homes warm. This indeed has become a timeless product, as every household needs a carpet to enhance the décor and they preferably demand carpets made from 100% wool. Though these carpets, made from the most natural sources of fiber, are expensive, yet people prefer using these carpets for various reasons.
These wool carpets as well as the wool rugs have innumerable incarnation as well. You would find traditional carpets of Persian or oriental styles that are made up of 100% woolen fibers and you would be offered a wide range of colors and hues to suit your taste and the walls of your home. Wool carpets are also used for wall-to-wall carpeting.
You would also come across wool carpets in blends; such carpets are made from natural and synthetic fibers to enhance the look. These are less expensive as compared to the original wool carpets. But there are some people who prefer not to use these blended carpets as it seems to reduce the numerous benefits of the carpets made from 100% wool.
The synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon came into existence during the middle of the 20th century. As the price of these materials was comparatively lesser than wool, the carpets made form these synthetic fibers captured the market of the wool carpet. The synthetic carpets were not only cheap; but could also be used for making tufted carpets and rugs. But the wool carpets still existed due to its glamour and richness and decorated many households.
People still choose wool carpets to the synthetic ones because they want to avoid the synthetic fibers used. As the synthetic carpets are created with the use of certain chemicals, there have been some issues of concern regarding the chemicals. It is often believed that these carpets tend to release the chemicals continuously and it gets mixed to the air which we breathe. Arguments also state that these synthetic carpets contribute in making the household toxic and polluted and must be strictly avoided.
As this is a serious concern, there has been a constant growth in demand for wool carpets that uses natural fiber. However, there are some wool carpets that are often treated with chemicals for stain resistance. But the natural carpets do not receive any such treatments.
Wool carpets have several benefits as well. These carpets do not house dust mites and is not a pollutant as such. Wool fibers have their own natural property for resisting stain and are known as lanolin. Wool carpets are biodegradable as well and are made from renewable resources; it is often regarded as "green carpeting".
There are innumerable benefits of using wool carpets; it is not only beneficial for the dwelling, but for the environment as well. Wool is a natural product which is renewable as well. If you buy woolen carpets, it would accelerate the production of wool, which would in turn be beneficial for the local farmers.
Wool carpet can actually retain its appearance for a longer period of time, unlike other carpets as it has proper bounce and bulk that can very well withstand the pressure exerted and the repeated footfall as well. Wool carpets are naturally resilient. Scientists have also acknowledged this fact and have further added that as such hair of wool has three-dimensional spiraling crimp, which acts almost like that of miniature spring. These springs can increase the elasticity of each fiber and can enable the hair to bounce back after repeated pressure. This is a unique feature of wool carpets and gives it an extra edge over the synthetic ones.
Wool carpets also have natural abilities to resist stains as the fibers are covered by thin membrane, which acts like as repellant and help in preventing the penetration of water into the woolen fiber. This is another contributing factor that enables these wool carpets to retain its appearance.
Wool also has natural dirt resisting properties, which is unique. If wool carpets are to be observed under a microscope, it can be seen that the surface of the fiber is made from overlapping scales that represents a roof structure. These scales can help in trapping all the dirt and soil at the very top, quite close to the carpet's surface. It can then be removed quickly and very easily with the help of a vacuum cleaner.
Wool carpets are flame-retardants as well and it is one of the natural properties of wool. As wool fibers contain protein and moisture in abundance, it can actually act as a self-extinguishable product.
Apart from all these benefits, wool carpets can provide several health benefits to us as well:
* Wool carpets are non-toxic. They are non-allergic as well, but some people are allergic to wool by nature, they cannot use the same.
* Wool doesn't support the growth of bacteria.
* As wool contains moisture in abundance, it minimizes static electricity and reduced the risk of certain shocks as well.
* Wool carpets also act as purifiers and can prevent the contamination caused due to nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and sulfur oxide. It helps in trapping these contaminants in the fiber.
* Wool carpets have too many air pockets and the credit for this goes to the shape of the carpets. This enables the carpets to provide proper insulation to the room and can also regulate the temperature in the room.
All these factors actually prove that wool carpets are the best till date and will always be. It not only complements the decor of your home, but also helps in maintaining some of the essential properties that a healthy dwelling must have. It is environment friendly, health friendly and can be used for every household. Cleaning these carpets is even easier and can be done at home itself.
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