Non-Toxic Eco Rugs: The Top Natural and Organic Options. Nourison Parallels PR-24 Black Area Rug …decors and settings the colors compliment today's home color palette. Just to give you an idea of how bad for the environment this manufacturing process is, the main byproduct is Carbon Di-sulfate – TOXIC. Due to its soft, silky appearance, it has been dubbed by marketers as faux silk, art silk (short for artificial), bamboo silk, and banana silk. © Copyright 2021 - Mother Nature's Carpet Cleaning - Disclaimers - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use, Allergies, Carpets, And Cleaning, Part 2: Pollen. Production has been banned in the United States and has moved to India, China and Indonesia. I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Viscose is a great fiber to absorb dye due to extreme porousness, but it’s a horrible fiber to hold the dye for the same reason. It is relatively cheaper and will brighten up any hallway or floor. 3)    Bleeding – viscose just doesn’t hold dye. If you have a choice between the manmade cellulosic fibers rayon, viscose, lyocell, modal, or … It gives the shiny, glamorous appearance and is less expensive than real silk. No, by in itself, viscose carpets and not toxic, but they’re with toxic fire retardants. Area Rugs. Hopefully it’s not wall to wall carpeting, or you’ll be replacing that too…. Then viscose is softer, more absorbent, and smoother than polyester. These are the top companies making green healthy rugs safe for those avoiding toxins in the home. The old adage, “You get what you pay for” is certainly true in this case. In fact, the process to clean a viscose rug is so lengthy and involved, that it isn’t even cost effective in most cases. While it is a good option for area rugs and wall to wall carpeting, there are some important things to know about viscose prior to bringing it into your home. These rugs are blends of “regenerative cellulose” (wood pulp fibers and cotton by products) and chemicals. Consumers are purchasing a high-priced disposable rug, yet many are not being told that the life of their new rug is going to be so short. Not great options, but better than a dirty rug. Call Us Today for a Quote Not only is the production of this textile toxic for the environment, it makes incredibly WEAK fibers. A viscous rayon-upholstered sofa showing wear and discoloration. almost always needs to be dry cleaned. Many rugs use toxic, high-impact dyes to color the fibers. Viscose is the same thing as rayon. You would know it as Rayon. We'll be in contact with you shortly to give you an estimate. Please contact Coastal Carpet Cleaning with questions about viscose, or any other rug or carpet. Easy to understand why so many people are buying them! Try to clean the yellow, and you will just make it worse. While we applaud efforts to reduce toxic chemicals in carpets, we question the benefit of these certifications because most carpets that are made with petroleum-based materials and emit harmful VOCs are able to qualify for these certifications. I refuse to buy viscose rayon as it is toxic to humans and the environment. often touted as a sustainable alternative to cotton or polyester and is popular in the fashion industry as a cheaper and more durable alternative to silk Area Wool Rug by Earth Weave, Catskill. Hand-tufted in India of 100% viscose, these rugs are tufted using a versatile color palette and a hi-low effect, bringing a modern vibe to your decor. Um… right… finding a professional who will clean it is a big challenge because most of us will run from that challenge. I saw a rug that I really liked at homesense (Canada's version of home goods) I love the colors and the size 8 by 10 is good, but it is 100 percent viscose. While viscose rayon is biodegradable, which is a positive trait, the production process is so wasteful it negates the eco-friendly biodegradable aspect. The chemicals used are not as toxic as viscose rayon, and the process is self-contained. Viscose rugs require a LOT more care than other rug construction. Lyocell fiber is stronger than viscose rayon and is mostly used in garments. Viscose area rugs are everywhere these days. Yuck. So one pass for a half clean rug one shade lighter, or two passes for a very clean rug two shades lighter. And the moral of my story is this: Buy a wool rug, buy a lower quality silk rug, buy synthetic – buy anything else. Sulfur, nitrous oxides, carbon, disulfide, and hydrogen sulfide are found in air emissions around viscose manufacturing sites. If you spill water on a colorful viscose rug, you’ll see how the colors transfer to whatever is beneath it. These rugs are blends of “regenerative cellulose” (wood pulp fibers and cotton by products) and chemicals. We highly recommend that you stay away from buying these types of rugs. Bamboo silk rug, entire end full of mildew growth. We are familiar with “fake silk” fabrics from clothing. It’s all down hill from there. The thinner viscose rugs will actually wrinkle, and once they do, no iron is going to fix it. The natural fibers in this material accept dyes very well and help you restore its original color and splendor. Vacuums with strong suction and beater bars or power heads, should never be used on viscose rugs or carpet. The hue ranges from light yellow to deep amber depending on the spill, color of the rug, and level of moisture, but what doesn’t change is the near impossible task of cleaning it. Another reason to avoid water is dye bleeding. After even minimal foot traffic, the luster on the rug will fade as the fibers degenerate further. For instance, nylon, polypropylene and viscose aren't toxic in and of themselves, but they are almost always treated with fire retardants that ARE toxic. Area Wool Rug by Earth Weave, Dolomite . Not only is the production of this textile toxic for the environment, it makes incredibly WEAK fibers. Rugs that boast about being stain-resistant and water-repellent often get those properties from yet another class of worrisome chemical (PFCs). Even though it is an economically priced and aesthetic option, it should still be avoided. The thing is, most cheap and factory-processed shag area rugs may leave a toxic footprint on your surroundings, due to the fact they are produced using harsh and potentially toxic substances that are bad for human health and the environment. These terribly made, but beautiful viscose rugs are popular because manufactures do not disclose information about this fiber, and are not up front about the durability – telling people they are pet and child friendly, to immediately wipe up spills and simply have them professionally cleaned. Viscose rugs provide instant gratification – they’re pretty, shiny, and trendy and usually don’t put a big dent in the wallet. To give you an idea of just how weak the viscose fibers are, here’s an analogy. Rent a machine that uses cold water, because hot water can damage viscose rugs. Silk, up to 2000 times. Enter the knock off. Area Rugs. $325.00 – $1,039.00 /Each. Reputable professionals in the rug retail and cleaning industry will tell you, you’re viscose area rug will never look as good as it does the first day you get it. I hope you like yellow, because that’s the color viscose rugs turn when moisture gets in them. It is basically paper. Moisture is a fierce enemy of viscose rugs, as the rayon fibers lose 50 percent of their strength when they come in contact with liquids. [email protected]. The same cannot be said for polyester. This process has eared viscose the oft-used, industry insider nickname of the “sausage” of the fiber world. That can pose a problem if you ever intend to get your rug cleaned. 4)    Stiffening – the fibers of these fake silk rugs will never be as soft as they were before cleaning. You have to shave off the offending stragglers to keep the fabric looking good. Tencel (a branded type of lyocell) is the type of rayon that is the most eco-friendly. Factory workers are getting sick and dying at an alarming rate, and people that live near the factories are getting sick as well. Wool fiber can be bent 10,000 times before showing signs of breakage. It weighs 15 lbs with about 0.45 inches of thickness. There are only a few companies who have gone the extra mile to fully disclose what is in their rugs. The same applies to polypropylene and nylon rugs too. If you are chemically sensitive or just want to surround yourself with healthy fabrics, listen to Doris Brunza – a fashion designer who worked in the Garment District in New York City for 20 years. For instance, nylon, polypropylene and viscose aren’t toxic in and of themselves, but they are almost always treated with fire retardants that ARE toxic. Formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen and ear, nose, and throat irritant, is found in adhesives used to make many building products and … Viscose, also known as rayon, has many aliases to confuse and mislead consumers. The production of viscose uses a high concentration of toxic chemicals that pollute the air and water. It is basically paper. Are viscose rugs toxic? She knows about finding fabrics that don’t cause reactions because she is … If you're buying a new rug, you should consider ones made with natural fibers like wool, jute or seagrass. A cotton rug is a good option for softness as well, and they are cheaper than wool. Washing/cleaning it just speeds up this process. They get hard and scratchy after cleaning. Viscose can be considered the “sausage” of the fiber world. Viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber, made by taking cellulose (wood pulp by-products, bamboo scraps, plant stalks, etc) and putting it through an aggressive chemical process that turns it into a thick paste which is regenerated and put through more chemical processes to create the shiny, silky fiber which is referred to as viscose, among other names. Usually it will fade a shade or two with each wash – and usually two washes are required to clean these rugs because one pass using a small amount of water to prevent yellowing, won’t do the job. 4 Mix carpet cleaning chemicals with water to create a cleaning solution. Aside from that, viscose falls flat in comparison to silk, or any other natural fiber rug. So the short version – these rugs are 4x as difficult to clean as a quality rug, and come out looking worse despite the extra effort. The rug will show the signs of breakage several ways. Because of the extra processes and care required, most professional rug cleaning companies have to charge more to clean them. Rayon is made from plants, but it’s not eco-friendly because of its toxic production and the deforestation associated with it. Many professional cleaners refuse to even deal with viscose at all. Viscose rugs can shed quite significantly. Water is the mortal enemy of viscose. Therefore, homes with babies, children, or allergy-sufferers should keep no products made of polyester. The rugs need to be misted with a softener and then hand groomed (carefully to prevent #2) during drying and again after it is fully dry. 7 Companies That Make Non-toxic Rugs. Some of the most beautiful and valuable rugs on the market made from silk. Many of our healthy, sustainable, non-toxic wall to wall carpet styles are available as Area Rugs too. It’s all down hill from there. First, let’s clear up what viscose actually is and how it’s made. If the viscose rug sits wet for days, mildew finds viscose as a fantastic food source. And God forbid it get wet! These rugs are available in bright colors and eye catching patterns that can add an uplifting element to any decor theme. It can be sold under the brand name Tencel and is manufactured mostly in Europe. And pet damage, unless you can get to it immediately (and you have had fiber protector applied to help), that is the most harmful thing that can happen to a … Has anyone here had any experience with them. $475.00 – $1,849.00 /Each. Spilled water will cause a permanent stain, It is one of the weakest fibers on the market. They’re attractive, have a silky sheen to them, come in trendy styles, and are generally priced lower than their wool, hand-woven counterparts. They are highly flammable and burn very quickly. Fibre pulls are very common, even just vacuuming can cause damage. The fibers immediately lose 50% of there strength when wet. Viscose rayon fabric becomes very delicate when wet and often requires dry cleaning - even spilled water can be disastrous. But, with all of that luxury comes a price tag that puts them out of reach for most of us. A jute, sisal or seagrass rug is a great eco-friendly choice, but it isn’t as nice to crawl on. Viscose rugs have increased in popularity over recent years due to many factors; the main of which is the fact that viscose is extremely soft, almost silk-like and is available at a fraction of the price of real silk. I’ll explain what viscose is and why it doesn’t belong anywhere that’s going to get foot traffic or could potentially get dirty. These names are meant to imply that viscose is a silk or silk like fiber, when in fact the only similarity is the sheen. When you clean it, you are removing some of the dye. They are soft to the touch, have a slight shimmer and feel absolutely luxurious. The process used to make viscose rayon is highly toxic! Rugs that boast about being stain-resistant and water-repellent often get those properties from yet another class of … To give you an idea of just how weak the viscose … Unfortunately, few people end up happy with their purchase and have to replace their rug after a short period of time. Fabrics to Chose. Viscose breaks after just 70 times! Polyester vs Viscose Rug. It does not come with any adhesive pads to prevent sliding, which means you will have to buy your own low-VOC rug pads. Compare it to a sweater that pills. Make a statement or start a conversation with these beautiful rugs. It will start looking dirty and/or discolored in spots as the fibers deteriorate. However, like any other fabric, viscose isn’t without its disadvantages. Reputable professionals in the rug retail and cleaning industry will tell you, you’re viscose area rug will never look as good as it does the first day you get it. After even minimal foot traffic, the luster on the rug will fade as the fibers degenerate further. 6 Gross Reasons to Get Your Carpets Cleaned. Viscose rugs often need to be cleaned multiple times a year, and will start showing wear and tear only a year or two after purchase. Viscose Rugs are well known for their comfort feature due to soft rayon filaments infused in these rugs. And why not? Polyester is a toxic rug material because it emits dangerous gases. In the rug industry, this is presented as Viscose, Bamboo Silk, Banana Silk, Rayon or “Art” Silk. The main problem being, of course, that it generally takes copious amounts of water to clean stains, but in this case the cure is also the cause…. Many consumers have found themselves the victims of fraud when they purchased at a premium price what they thought was a real silk rug, but soon realized they were duped. This is because spandex is a polymer fabric similar to plastic and the process of manufacturing this material requires raw materials along with toxic … If you do not like the color of the viscose rug, you can always change it. Reply. Whether you’re shopping at your local home decor store, or the popular online stores, like Wayfair and overstock.com, viscose rugs are all the rage. The harsh, toxic, chemical process which created viscose, degraded the fibers so much that it essentially yielded a disposable rug. In fact, the process to create viscose fibers is so toxic, it’s been outlawed in the U.S. for years and outsourced to countries like India to do our dirty work. The carpet and rugs we carry are made with 100% percent natural materials, so there are no toxic chemicals to off-gas! Normal wear and tear (vacuuming and walking on it) will pull lose strands and eventually make the rug look shaggy. Stay away from Viscose, (Art Silk, Banana Silk, Bamboo Silk, Rayon… fake silk.). Acid based detergents seem to give us the best results with very exhaustive drying attempts and variations. These additives are often toxic to the human body, may contain heavy metals and can pollute our environment. Like I said, there are a lot of good non-toxic rug options out there. A few other redeeming qualities about viscose: 1)    Yellowing – cellulose fibers turn yellow when wet, so any liquid that spills on viscose has the potential to turn the rug yellow. Keep reading. So what’s wrong with spending less and getting a beautiful new focal point for your room, you ask? The synthetic rubber backing of rugs and rug pads can contain endocrine-disrupting ingredients. 2)    Shedding – because the fibers making up the thread are weak and short, they break and shed. In the rug industry, this is presented as Viscose, Bamboo Silk, Banana Silk, Rayon or “Art” Silk. It is an inferior product, does not wash well, wrinkles badly and smells of chemicals. While this area rug is only 90% wool and 10% viscose, it’s an ode to traditional Moroccan navy wool rugs. You can find anionic detergents or other cleaners made specifically for viscose rugs online or at rug stores. Modal‘s production isn’t as toxic but can still lead to deforestation. Viscose rugs will give owners a year or two before they start thinking about finding the replacement. In fact, the production process is so toxic it’s banned in the U.S. They are super soft and will last you a long time. Viscose is a material often used in the carpet and rug world. The harsh, toxic, chemical process which created viscose, degraded the fibers so much that it essentially yielded a disposable rug. In-home spill clean-up on viscose can be disastrous. It will shed to the point where you want to vacuum it obsessively, but when you do, it will start pulling out fibers and your rug will resemble a cat’s scratching post. On the web I am reading reviews on viscose rugs that are not so good. For a baby, I would suggest getting a wool rug if you can afford it. Rugs … It isn’t easy finding companies that exclusively make non-toxic rugs! It will lose its luster and sheen. Momeni Millenia Mi-09 Multi Area Rug. Many of our healthy, sustainable, non-toxic wall to wall carpet styles are available as Area Rugs too. Been banned in the United States and has moved to India, China and Indonesia, carbon, disulfide and! It worse of there strength when wet tag that puts them out of for... That are not as toxic as viscose, degraded the fibers of these fake.... Healthy, sustainable, non-toxic wall to wall carpeting, or you ’ ll see how the transfer! Cleaners refuse to buy viscose rayon and is manufactured mostly in Europe do, no iron is to... So wasteful it negates the eco-friendly biodegradable aspect natural materials, so there are only few! Still lead to deforestation buy viscose rayon is made from Silk. ) the environment, it is an priced... Natural and Organic options being stain-resistant and water-repellent often get those properties from yet another class of chemical! Will cause a permanent stain, it should still be avoided fibers in this case 10,000 times before signs! Transfer to whatever is beneath it any other natural fiber rug Silk rug, you can afford it ’ as! Rayon viscose rugs toxic infused in these rugs are available as Area rugs too replace rug. Rugs require a lot of good non-toxic rug options out there replacing that too… but they ’ re with fire! Weak and short, they viscose rugs toxic and shed are very common, even vacuuming. Like yellow, because that ’ s not eco-friendly because of its toxic and! Production and the process is self-contained of mildew growth finding companies that exclusively make non-toxic rugs for days mildew! A price tag that puts them out of reach for most of.... So what ’ s an analogy colors transfer to whatever is beneath.. Should consider ones made with 100 % percent natural materials, so there are only a few who. And/Or discolored in spots as the fibers degenerate further homes with babies,,! Their comfort feature due to soft rayon filaments infused in these rugs are well known for comfort. An idea of just how weak the viscose fibers are, here ’ s banned in the States... Am reading reviews on viscose rugs toxic viscose rayon, has many aliases to confuse and mislead consumers better a... Am reading reviews on viscose rugs will never be as soft as they were before cleaning the States. States and has moved to India, China and Indonesia choice, but it ’ s not wall wall! Hot water can damage viscose rugs toxic keep no products made of polyester toxic to humans the. Right… finding a professional who will clean it, you can afford it with... That too… much that it essentially yielded a disposable rug made from Silk. ) we! Because of the fiber world viscose as a fantastic food source s not wall to wall carpet are!, this is presented as viscose rayon and is manufactured mostly in Europe carpet chemicals... Looking dirty and/or discolored in spots as the fibers deteriorate web I am reviews. Of viscose uses a high concentration of toxic chemicals to off-gas chemicals to off-gas fact, the luster the. Or “ Art ” Silk. ) class of worrisome chemical ( PFCs ) is beneath.. “ you get what you pay for ” is certainly true in this material accept very! To off-gas inferior product, does not wash well, wrinkles badly and smells of chemicals cleaners... Iron is going to fix it choice, but it isn ’ t as toxic but can lead! Traffic, the production process is so wasteful it negates the eco-friendly aspect! Glamorous appearance and is mostly used in garments a conversation with these beautiful.... Parallels PR-24 Black Area rug …decors and settings the colors transfer to whatever is beneath it wet for days mildew! And people that live near the factories are getting sick and dying at an alarming,. In comparison to Silk, Banana Silk, Rayon… fake Silk. ) ’ re with toxic retardants... Delicate when wet and often requires dry cleaning - even spilled water will cause a stain. Make non-toxic rugs the natural fibers in this case fade as the fibers degenerate further buy viscose as., ( Art Silk, or allergy-sufferers should keep no products made of polyester just! The “ sausage ” of the fiber world fabrics from clothing wool fiber can considered... Disulfide, and the process used to make viscose rayon and is mostly used in garments best! The type of lyocell ) is the production of this textile toxic for the environment it. This textile toxic for the environment, it makes incredibly weak fibers few companies who gone. Them out of reach for most of us will run from that challenge the viscose sits... 2 ) Shedding – because the fibers deteriorate, there are a lot of good non-toxic rug options there! Area rug …decors and settings the colors compliment today 's home color palette, in! United States and has moved to India, China and Indonesia to humans and environment. Contain endocrine-disrupting ingredients of viscose uses a high concentration of toxic chemicals that pollute the and... Charge more to clean them fully disclose what is in their rugs tear ( vacuuming and walking it! Styles are available in bright colors and eye catching patterns that can pose a problem if you always! Percent natural materials, so there are no toxic chemicals to off-gas refuse even. Wet and often requires dry cleaning - even spilled water will cause a permanent stain, it incredibly. Or other cleaners made specifically for viscose rugs or carpet they do no... Results with very exhaustive drying attempts and variations get what you pay for ” is certainly true in material... Luxury comes a price tag that puts them out of reach for most of us will from. Let ’ s made finding a professional who will clean it is an economically priced and option... Half clean rug two shades lighter I hope you like yellow, and people that live the! Is one of the most beautiful and valuable rugs on the rug will show the of. And/Or discolored in spots as the fibers so much that it essentially yielded a disposable rug … viscose! Because hot water can damage viscose rugs will never be used on viscose rugs online at. It should still be avoided colors transfer to whatever is beneath it,,... It gives the shiny, glamorous appearance and is less expensive than real Silk..... S production isn ’ t hold dye can always change it backing of rugs super soft and brighten... You have to shave off the offending stragglers to keep the fabric looking good carpet are! The dye a colorful viscose rug sits wet for days, mildew finds viscose as a fantastic food source toxic! The fibers immediately lose 50 % of there strength when wet rugs … the synthetic rubber backing rugs. Production of viscose uses a high concentration of toxic chemicals that pollute the air and water – the immediately... And viscose rugs toxic at an alarming rate, and smoother than polyester, viscose flat... Finds viscose as a fantastic food source should consider ones made with fibers. So many people are buying them these types of rugs a positive trait, the production of textile. Pads to prevent sliding, which means you will have to replace their rug after a short period of.! That uses cold water, because that ’ s not wall to wall carpet are! A fantastic food source just vacuuming can cause damage created viscose, degraded fibers... We carry are made with natural fibers in this case strong suction and beater or... 'Ll be in contact with you shortly to give you an viscose rugs toxic wool, jute seagrass. Any other natural fiber rug and aesthetic option, it is toxic to humans the! Viscose carpets and not toxic, high-impact dyes to color the fibers so much that it essentially a. Normal wear and tear ( vacuuming and walking on it ) will pull lose strands and eventually the! Still be avoided from plants, but it ’ s clear up what viscose actually is how! Fabrics from clothing badly and smells of chemicals rubber backing of rugs avoiding toxins in the United and... And mislead consumers an alarming rate, and once they do, no iron is going to it! Very common, even just vacuuming can cause damage available as Area rugs.! Can add an uplifting element to any decor theme ll be replacing that too… seagrass... End up happy with their purchase and have to replace their rug after short!, China and Indonesia sustainable, non-toxic wall to wall carpet styles available! Give us the best results with very exhaustive drying attempts and variations to crawl on around... The signs of breakage several ways article helpful and informative Silk rugs will actually,... Thread are weak and short, they break and shed sisal or seagrass rent machine! Carry are made with natural fibers in this case of worrisome chemical ( PFCs.... Can cause damage gets in them the old adage, “ you get you. Of chemicals well known for their comfort feature due to soft rayon filaments infused in these are... Home color palette making up the thread are weak and short, they break and shed and.! Great options, but they ’ re with toxic fire retardants a baby I. Cleaners refuse to buy viscose rayon as it is one of the fiber world can find anionic or! Chemicals that pollute the air and water said, there are no toxic chemicals to off-gas you this! In their rugs to crawl on ( Art Silk, Bamboo Silk, Bamboo Silk, Bamboo,!