If you have a wool rug at your home, you might have noticed it is shedding to a certain degree. Although many say shedding is a feature for these units, this feature can indeed become bothersome to you, especially when the shedding happens to a large degree.
But why do wool rugs shed?
The reason why the wool rugs shed is that they are of natural fiber. And these types of fiber tend to split and fray over time.
Just like the hair on your head! If you do not keep the hairs in good condition, they will start to form split-ends. That will eventually make them break and shed.
But is that all there is to answer the question of why is my wool rug shedding? Not really! There is more to the topic which you can learn by continuing to read!
Why Do Rugs Shed?
The thing is, all wool rugs will shed to a certain amount. However, some will shed more than others. Three factors can explain their higher level of shedding. Let us walk you through those factors –
Material
Although wool is considered to be a superior material for rugs, not all wool is the same. There is quite a difference between one wool to another.
But before we get into that, let’s first explain where wool comes from. Yes, from sheep! So, when it comes to the quality of the material, it will depend on where the sheep are raised.
Generally, the ones that live their lives on high mountains will tend to have long strands of hair. They are the ones with lanolin wool.
These long strands help the animals to stay warm in the cold climate of high altitudes. And the wool manufacturers get from these sheep is the highest in standards.
On the other hand, the material from the sheep raised in lower lands is usually coarser than the others. Compared to the material from the sheep of high mountains, the coarser ones tend to be lacking in quality.
So, you should consider that as the wool from these sheep is not long, manufacturers will utilize adhesive.
The adhesive helps to keep the material together. And over time, the adhesive can start to break down. When it does, the rug will shed a massive degree.
Manufacturing Process
Another factor that plays a massive role in the shedding of wool rugs is the manufacturing process. You might not know this, but there are different ways to manufacture a wool rug. And the end quality will depend on whether it was handmade or through modern techniques.
In comparison, handmade ones are less likely to shed and come apart quickly. That is because they boast hundreds or even thousands of knots.
And for the nature of the process, these knots are threaded to the very foundation of the material. On the other hand, there are hand-tufted ones. Basically, it utilizes tufting guns, which shoot fabric through a grid that is of plastic.
The manufacturer must back the rug up with polymer or glue to keep the tufts in place. Well, that is what makes the rug come apart. The material deteriorates and makes the rug shed over time.
Then, there are the machine-made rugs. They are primarily of synthetic materials, which will break down over time. This breakdown of the material will result in shedding.
The Condition of the Rug
As we have mentioned earlier, all wool rugs will shed at one point. However, shedding occurs the most when the rug is new.
In other words, regardless of the quality, if you have bought the unit recently, it is bound to shed.
Buy why? Well, the manufacturing process can tell you the story behind it.
At the end of the manufacturing process, the manufacturers will cut the wool fibers to get the desired thickness and pile height. But, this cutting can cause the little bits of the fiber to get stuck in the rug. And eventually, these small pieces can work their way out of the rug.
But, the good news is that all the small bits will eventually make it out of the rug. And the shedding will eventually subside within the first couple of months.
How to Minimize Wool Rug Shedding?
Although all wool rugs shade, there are some things that you can consider to prevent a huge level of shedding.
Vacuum with Care
Generally, many think that vacuuming is the right solution to dealing with shedding. But the thing is, vacuuming can actually make the shedding worse.
The truth is that vacuuming will pull the fibers away from the wool rug, which will, in fact, cause more shedding.
For that reason, if you do need to vacuum the rug, it would be a good idea to dial the suction power to the minimum. Also, the best way to vacuum the rug would be to use handheld units.
They will put less pressure on the fiber. If you want, you can also rely on a broom to remove the rug’s debris and dirt.
Find the Right Placement
If you want to lower the shedding, put the wool rug in a place where there is less traffic. A high foot traffic area will put reasonably high stress on the fibers, allowing them to fall apart quickly.
Some ideas for places with low foot traffic would be underneath the dining table.
Use a Rug Pad
It goes without saying that the impact of feet walking across the surface of the wool rug will make it shed more. In order to minimize this, you should consider investing in a rug pad.
It will not only help with the shedding issue but also will make it more comfortable for you to walk across the rug.
Minimize the Accumulation of Dirt
Needless to say, rugs will naturally accumulate dirt. Over time, a lot of dirt will settle on top of it. Yet, you need to understand that debris and dirt can act like abrasives.
In other words, when you are walking over a dirty rug, you will create more friction among the fibers. That will cause more shedding.
Now, how can you minimize the accumulation of dirt and debris? Do not walk over the rug with dirty feet. The dirt and debris that is trapped under your feet can easily transfer to the rugs
Keep the Pets Away
Both dogs and cats will love to knead the wool. Again, this will cause the fibers to go through extra stress, which will cause more shedding. So, try to keep your pets away from it as much as possible.
Final Words
So, why do wool rugs shed? Well, it is a natural thing for them. The fibers tend to split and fray with regular use.
But as you now know, there are ways to minimize shedding. Therefore, if you do not want to deal with cleaning the shredded wools too much, you should keep those methods in mind.
Last Updated on September 1, 2022
