Ten reasons your next rug should be wool

Furnishing or redecorating your living space brings with it a multitude of options and choices, but it’s easy to forget what’s right under your feet – or what will be. The right rug brings an entire room together and sets whatever tone you choose. So it’s important to put plenty of thought into the style, the color, and also the material.

Unless you surround your rug with red velvet ropes and a “do not walk” sign, it’s going to take more punishment than almost anything else in the room. Because of that, the right rug material can determine whether that design and color is going to stay beautiful for years to come.

When people talk about the best area rug fabrics, invariably the discussion turns to wool. But the question often comes up: are the benefits of wool rugs really worth the additional investment over a less expensive synthetic material?

Choosing a wool rug is an investment

Since the beginning of rug-making, weavers have prized wool threads, and they have become the most regarded material for use in hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs, aside from ultra-rich silk rugs. Wool has been used in the finest Persian rugs, and still is today. But with the advent of power-loomed rugs made from less-expensive synthetics, home decorators now have lots of options, and may focus more of their budget on furniture and artwork. Decorators on a budget are more likely to see wool rugs as a “luxury.”

But when you look at your rug as an investment — something you can enjoy for decades with proper care — the value of wool starts to become clearer. In many cases, a handmade wool rug actually appreciates in value over time!

Wool is naturally stain-resistant and cleanable

That’s due to the natural coating of lanolin, which keeps stains and dirt from penetrating fibers.

Wool pile is resilient

The natural “crimp” in each wool fiber allows a wool rug to resist the compression of daily use, so you have fewer issues with furniture indentation than with other fabrics.

Wool is a hypoallergenic fiber

The pockets in wool fiber help it absorb dust. It also resists dust mites, mildew and bacteria growth, and even absorbs many airborne contaminants.

Wool is naturally flame-resistant

It catches fire at higher temperatures than other fabrics, and it will actually extinguish itself once the source of the fire is taken away. That makes wool fiber a must in many settings with tight safety regulations.

Wool helps keep your room warm

Wool is an excellent insulator and helps moderate temperature and humidity in the home by absorbing and releasing moisture as needed.

Wool looks clean, even when it isn’t

Wool fabric actually hides most dust due to tiny pockets in its fibers, rather than allowing it to sit on the surface of the rug. As a result, it doesn’t need to be cleaned as often as other rug fabrics.

Wool stays dry

Wool is naturally water resistant, and can absorb water spills and still feel dry to the touch.

Wool holds color beautifully

Because it soaks up liquid so well, wool can absorb more dye than many other threads, which makes for more brilliant colors that last over time, as can be seen in so many luminous, museum-quality rugs that are hundreds of years old.

Wool is environmentally friendly

Wool is a renewable, biodegradable product. Carpeting and rugs make up an estimated 2 percent of the landfill in the U.S., so utilizing a safe fiber can make a real impact. Not only do wool rugs tend to last longer, they’re also safer for the environment if they are thrown out.

And finally, the most obvious reason:

Wool simply feels great

For centuries, wool has been the choice to add warmth, comfort, and soft luxurious textures into homes around the world. It continues to be a natural choice for lasting beauty, comfort, and durability – and still the most cost-effective choice over the long-term than any other fiber.

Wool rugs come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and styles.