Wool vs polypropylene rug
I'm back with another rug question.
By way of background, I finally pulled up all my flor carpet tiles and took them outside to clean. I used carpet cleaner on some and dish soap and water on others and they still look grimy to me.
I also think they have a faint odor. Slightly musty, perhaps from taking a while to dry. But I prevailed on my neighbor for an opinion and she thinks it's a faint dog odor. She says the house does not smell like dog, just the flor tiles. Dog doesn't actually spend all that much time on the rug, but I can see how the rug would hold the smell the most as he is not allowed on the furniture.
So next step is to replace with a new rug. I know we want something a little darker in color and with pattern this time.
But I'm trying to narrow down my search to wool or polypropylene. We are looking at spending under $1000, preferably closer to $500. I know this is a very tight budget for a big rug--bare minimum 8 x 10, 9x 12 would be better.
In this price range wool rugs seem to all be hand tufted, which I understand often sheds quite a lot for a long time period?
I understand both materials are reasonably cleanable? That's a high priority. Is one better than the other for not holding odors? I really don't want my rug smelling like dog. I did vacuum and spot clean the flor tiles regularly but obviously that wasn't enough. I can add spreading and vacuuming up baking soda to my regular care for the rug, but I'd still like to go with a material that is less likely to hold odors.
Thank you for any help comparing the materials!
edited to add an old picture of the flor tiles in the room:
Comments (24)
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polypropylene rug 'disaster'
Comments (3)Sorry, I think in the US you call a "rug" what we in Australia would call a carpet. What I am talking about is a large rug or mat about 10 ft by 6 ft that goes on top of the carpet. I washed it by putting it on the patio then using a hose and washing liquid then hosing down to rinse.I then draped it over the washing line ( hills hoist type) until most of the excess water had dropped out then laid flat on the lawn to dry off. It dried quite quickly and seemed fine until I brought it in and replaced it on the living room floor. Then it became apparent that it was no longer "square" - it seemed to be sort of warped or buckled. The texture, colours etc seemed fine though. It is a fairly common type rug and I am pretty sure it is acrylic or polypropylene type fibre that is a cheap version of the proper wool oriental type rugs. I can re-stretch it back to shape by hand to get out the buckles (which I do a hundred times a day because it annoys me so but then a little later it creeps back to the original buckles. I have concrete base floors throughout - if I had wooden floorboards under the carpet I would be tempted to just nail the jolly thing down !...See MorePolypropylene Rug... Can I hose it down? or am I dreaming?
Comments (16)About a year ago, I spent over $1000 having about 10 area rugs of different sizes professionally cleaned. When they were returned, I thought they didn't smell clean and their equipment left the pile looking pulled and worn. I mentioned it but the company said that's the way it is. When my dog chose a corner of one of the rugs (made out of 100% olefin) to do his business on, I decided I was not spending any more money. So, took it outside on large slightly sloping clean patio (equivalent to driveways mentioned by other people here) and hosed it like crazy until the water was clear. Then, used some Dawn dishwashing detergent diluted in bucket of water and a broom on backside. Hosed again until clean water again. Carpet was extremely heavy. We struggled to drape it over some patio chairs. Figured we would drag it out to dispose of on bulk garbage day. But, surprisingly, within about 24 hours it was almost dry and there was no smell! $300 rug saved!...See MoreWool carpeting vs. high end nylon
Comments (14)My husband has been installing carpet for 38 years. For as long as I can remember his advice has always been "100% nylon and stay away from polyester even if the salespeople tell you it's 'better' than it used to be". He installs a good amt of wool carpeting also, in the higher end homes, but it's a very expensive investment. Wears like iron :) Pad depends on the type of carpet but thicker isn't always better....See MoreDo wool rugs work with pets?
Comments (1)According to my dog breeder, no they do not recommend wool rugs. I have a dog who is 8 years old. No problems with accidents. Last December we purchased two wool area rugs. First day the dog pee’d on both rugs. I called the breeder to get her opinion and she said it was a common problem with wool rugs and dogs. Since wool rugs are a natural product, they come from a sheep. I’ve had area rugs for decades and dogs, the rugs were either nylon, polypropylene or some other man made product with no problems. Wish I had known about the wool rugs before purchasing them. The dog only did this the first day, marking her Territory. Hope this helps....See More
Nothing Left to Say
8 years ago
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoNothing Left to Say thanked cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)Nothing Left to Say
8 years agoThanks everyone! The only wool rug I have ever owned did shed quite a bit. I'm sure if I could afford better quality (hand knotted?) that wouldn't be such a problem.
I found this rug on Overstock. It's polypropylene and dirt cheap.
Here it is in a very not-expert moodboard for the room.
Nothing Left to Say
8 years ago
Another overstock option, very brown for a room with a lot of brown already, but I am planning to paint my coffee table a color. . . . Seems like it would hide dirt and golden retriever hair pretty well.
Nothing Left to Say
8 years agoNothing Left to Say
8 years ago
PROBeverlyFLADeziner
8 years agoAfter years of purchasing lovely wool rugs & with two fur babies, I have switched to polypropylene rugs. Their visual appearance have really improved and there are many available for less than $400 on Overstock. Check Nourison for some nice styles. If they need to be cleaned you can take them out and use a pressure washer hose on them. I have the same issue with my FLOR squares. Even though they are nylon they stain and smell. Waste of money! There are from Overstock.
Nothing Left to Say thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Bunny
8 years ago
Olychick