More and more homeowners around the world are starting to choose more eco-friendly options in all aspects of their home decor, right from the types of paints used on the interior walls, for the fabrics used in window treatments, upholstery and rugs.
Carpet from renewable plant fibers today are among the most popular flooring. The selection includes carpets of sisal, bamboo, algae, mountain grass, jute and coir. Unlike depletable synthetic resources, they are all considered “sustainable” resources, which means that they will increase quickly after they are collected.
All natural fiber mats have certain characteristics that can affect where you use them. First, all floor mats made from plant fibers absorb water easily and are best placed in areas where they are least spilled. The only exception may be algae carpets, which are collected from sea swamps - this makes the fiber more resistant to stains.
Natural fiber mats are a very preferred option for people with allergies and chemical sensitivities, unlike synthetic fiber carpets, which are often enriched or diluted with chemicals that cause allergies.
For several reasons, bamboo is one of the most frequently used renewable resources these days. This symbol of long life is actually woody grass. What else, since anyone who has a piece of bamboo in their yard can testify, bamboo grows faster than any other woody plant on the ground. Interestingly, there are even types of bamboo that grow so fast that you can really see their growth!
Many eco-friendly decorators view bamboo as an earth-friendly end product, and they use almost everything from wallcoverings to floor mats. Bamboo rugs can be found in every size and shape and can add different sizes to a room, depending on your choice. Red bamboo rugs can add color to a room, as well as a bamboo rug bounded by cotton cloth of any color or design.
Finally, there is natural fiber, which is not derived from the plant, but is still considered renewable and environmentally friendly: wool. Warm, soft and durable carpets have been made from sheep's wool for centuries. Some of the world's best Persian, Chinese and Indian carpets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars are made of wool and are often transmitted as heirlooms. Wool is biodegradable, like plant fiber, and has the added advantage of being used in a humid climate or indoor areas with high humidity. Moreover, the wool is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, inhibits the growth of bacteria and acts as a natural air filter to trap internal contaminants in its fibers. How much more comfortable would it be to use an earthen mat?
