Synthetic vs. Natural Rugs: The Unspoken Downsides No One Mentions

Have you ever heard your parents or grandparents talking about the old days and saying, “The product quality was far better when they were growing up”? Well, that’s nothing but true. Before industrialization and commercialization, the world moved at a slow pace. Earlier everything was natural and man-made. Ever since the machines took over, not only the processes of manufacturing but also the materials used are synthetic. Agreed that these products are effective and efficient in terms of cost and quality but in the long run, there are some disadvantages. 

Synthetic vs. Natural Rugs: The Unspoken Downsides No One Mentions

Empty spaces in your home are a canvas, you are an artist and the decor accents are the shades in your palette. Initially hearing the word ‘synthetic’ while purchasing a decor accent for your home can be a turn-off. Your mind would automatically start thinking that it's fake and not worth the cost. Though, it might not fall in the natural category but it is equivalent. 

For example, let’s talk about rugs. Before the rug industry started to modernize, only natural materials were used to craft carpets. Some of the popular natural materials are wool, cotton, jute, silk, etc. Each of them with its own unique quality. Rugs have always been on the expensive side of the shopping aisle because of their natural materials and humane craftsmanship. However, when these are crafted using machines with synthetic fibers, the result is not only fine but also cost-effective and affordable. 

Every coin has 2 sides, both natural rugs and synthetic rugs have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s dive into them and have a better look.

Natural Materials-

These are fibers sourced directly from nature.

Speaking of advantages, wool for instance has the ability to resist fire and absorb heat, silk comes with an extremely soft texture and sheen, jute makes a rug breathable and cotton adds to the comfort with its softness.

However, the absorbent nature of natural fibers retains moisture, affecting the life of the rug. While sourcing, natural fibers are expensive and come with a high maintenance cost. Further, they can entrap pollen and other allergens which may affect your health. 

Synthetic fibers-

These are man-made fibers. They do not occur naturally and require human interference for their production. Polyester, viscose, nylon, acrylic, etc are a few of them. Unless you are an expert, differentiating a rug made using wool and silk and viscose and polyester is impossible. This is because synthetic fibers are designed to visually replicate the quality of natural fibers. Polyester has wool's durability and viscose has silk’s sheen. This is one of the prime reasons why synthetic rugs are becoming popular. 

Despite their cost-effectiveness and similarities, synthetic rugs have a few more downsides that are not discussed. 

1.       Environmental toll- Manufacturing synthetic fibers take a lot of toll on the environment. These are made using petroleum, thus increasing carbon emissions. Decomposing them is a task, a simple synthetic rug can take centuries to decompose.

2.       Shorter lifespan- While synthetic materials can replicate the qualities of natural materials, they cannot replicate their authenticity. Natural materials can last generations if taken care of properly. Synthetic materials after a while can start to wear off even after proper care.

3.       The appearance- Irrespective of the similarities, a synthetic material-made carpet can never have the authenticity and the depth that a natural material hand-knotted carpet has. 

Before you decide on the rug you wish to purchase, make sure to analyze the pros and cons of both types of materials. Both have benefits and disadvantages. Though we use recycled polyester and viscose in our rugs (which are manufactured sustainably), we recommend going for rugs made using natural materials. While nothing beats something in its natural form, a rug is a one-time investment, so make sure to choose wisely. 

With an array of natural and artificial fibers available, carpets can be woven to suit a variety of functional and aesthetic needs. If you’re interested in exploring our collections to find a carpet that is distinctly yours, visit us online at https://www.obeetee.in/ or in-store at our flagship locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune.