Rugs are essential in accentuating beauty of your homes as it is essential for you to put on accessories to accentuate your beauty. All homemakers around the world would agree with me that a rug is one of the most essential accessories in our homes. Rugs are not just something to cushion your feet and keep them warm during the harsh winter chill. Rugs are miniature works of art in which created to be decorative and functional at the same time.

But how would you like it if your beautiful expensive rug emits harmful chemical that does not only cause pollution but can possibly cause harm to your family’s health? Would you feel comfortable if you know that your baby might be rolling around on the rug that possibly emits formaldehyde? Area rugs and carpets can emit chemicals into the surrounding air depending on what material they are made of and how they are manufactured. If you are concerned of your health, most especially, of your family’s health, then you should look beyond the visual beauty and choose materials that are safe for your health as well as the planet earth.

According to the study conducted by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor pollutants are about five times higher that pollutants found outdoors. You might not know this, but many of the chemicals used in synthetic carpets and rugs are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC vaporize (also known as offgas), or give off easily into the air. Some of these chemicals found in synthetic rugs and carpets include benzene, styrene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde. Chemicals mentioned are known to be carcinogens or cancer-causing substance or agents. In addition to that, there are other chemicals in its adhesives and glue strips, the underlay or rug pads. If you are using synthetic carpets and rugs you are actually living and breathing with cancer!

If you love your family and care for your health you should go for “green” rugs. Green rugs or the eco-friendly rugs are generally made of natural fibers such as sisal, wool, seagrass, mountain grass, and bamboo. Sisal fibers are obtained from agave plant which is native to Tanzania and Kenya.

Mountaingrass are durable grass that is native to the high altitude slopes of the Pacific Rim. The Seagrass comes from the coastal regions of China and India and is grown in paddy fields. Bamboo has long been used for flooring in Asian countries and it is abundant in Asian countries like China, Philippines and Vietnam. Whereas the wool is the dense, warm coat of sheep which is also called a fleece. Australia is the biggest supplier of wool in the world.
All these materials are all biodegradable and certified by EPA as earth friendly materials. They do not contain chemicals, pollutants and at the same time natural material rugs tend to be more durable and reliable than synthetic material rugs. They age gracefully, naturally renewing itself and is develops a rich patina through years of use. By using natural rugs you are not just safekeeping the health of your family but you are helping preserving the planet earth as well.

Keep your home beautiful, healthy and “green.”