If I’m being honest, the first reason I chose to use wool for my punch needle rugs was because it was the easiest to punch through the foundation fabric! But as I read more, learned more and used it more, I realized there were so many benefits to using wool that I wasn’t aware of. This isn’t a comprehensive list but let me give you my favorite reasons I love using wool for my rugs, purses and coasters.
Wool is very durable
Wool fibers can be stretched up to 30% when dry and 50% when wet and it will still bounce back to its original shape when the stress is released. For rugs, this means that they can be placed in high traffic areas of your home and withstand all the foot traffic without falling apart or looking matted down.
Wool can absorb and repel water
Wool has a natural oil on it called lanolin which will protect the fibers from light moisture. If more liquid falls on it, the rug can easily absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp. This is great if you want to put a rug next to the sink and it’s also a benefit for the wool coasters when the drinks you place on them have condensation.
Wool is easy to clean
As a natural sealant, lanolin traps dirt and stains at the surface of the rug, saving your wool fibers from any harmful damage. Plus, wool is anti-static which keeps it from attracting dirt and dust. So when a rug in your home has had a lot of foot traffic, start with just shaking it out. You may be able to prolong washing it.
Wool is biodegradable
Wool is a natural and renewable resource that is biodegradable. When wool breaks down, it releases elements such as nitrogen, sulphur and magnesium back into the soil, fertilizing the plants around. With our landfills reaching capacity, choosing to use natural fibers vs synthetics is important because it’s helping our planet.
To sum all of this up, wool rugs are as durable as they are beautiful! They will hold up in front of doors where there’s lots of foot traffic. They will also do well by the sink where it may get wet from time to time. And if you have a fire place, a wool rug would work great in front of it because it’s flame resistant.
Cleaning wool rugs seems to be a daunting task for some. But these are easier to clean than you think. If it looks dirty, start with shaking it out. Spot clean for small areas. And if it needs more, then put it in a tub of water with a gentle soap, agitate the water and rug, let it drain, rinse and repeat until the soap is gone. OR purchase a product called Eucalan which is a soap that doesn’t need to be rinsed out.
Hope this information is useful!
