Polyester is nowadays the most popular option of all synthetic fabrics used to substitute natural fibers. Because, it feels good to the skin and is water and wrinkle-resistant.
Almost all sorts of clothing products you use in your daily life – from diapers and mattresses to carpets and curtains – are manufactured out of polyester fibers.
Not to mention, polyester is most often blended with natural fibers and so far, the majority of the sheets sold in the USA are blends of cotton and polyester. That’s surprising, right?
Even though the market is loaded up with inexpensive polyester-made rugs, now the question arises are polyester rugs toxic?
Well, the short answer is a big YES, polyester is a toxic rug material. But why? Because the fiber of the polyester fabric contains chemicals and emits VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are extremely hazardous to human health.
They do off-gas into the environment badly as well. They are not carcinogenic at all, but allergy sufferers, babies, and young children should be kept away from polyester-made products.
Although this rug looks aesthetic to the eye and it’s economically priced, you had better avoid it. Instead, consider buying rugs made up of natural fibers such as cotton, jute, wool, or seagrass.
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Some Advantages and Disadvantages Of Using Polyester Rugs
Advantages
- One of the biggest pros of using polyester-made rugs is that they come cheap. Because they are synthetic fibers that are actually low-quality plastic and no labor cost is required to produce them.
So, never consider paying more than 5$ per square foot for having a polyester rug, otherwise, you will be cheated on.
Disadvantages
- The first con of using these rugs is that they need more cleaning work than rugs made of wool.
But, the fibers of the wool come with plenty of “pockets” in their construction and can conceal dirt and grime. So, even if they become dirty, they will apparently look neat and clean.
That doesn’t apply to polyester rugs. As they are made with plastic fibers and cannot hide dust, the dirt just sticks around the outside of the fibers and look uglier.
Since polyester rugs get dirtier and dull-looking faster, you need to clean your rugs after a few months. Whereas, wool rugs need washing after years.
- They are soft to the touch but not super soft, because they are plastic. Also, if you walk on these polyester-made rugs barefoot, they won’t feel great.
- Polyester rugs have no pockets to hold the odor, so you can have odor issues with these synthetic rugs. This is why you will have to spend a lot of bucks on washing and deodorizing the rug.
- As these polyester rugs are made out of plastic, they are non-biodegradable and can pose a massive threat to the environment as well as to your health.
A study has shown that polyester cannot decompose naturally and it takes from 20 to 200 years to break down on its own. That’s unbelievable, huh?
- Apart from that, polyester causes a great negative impact on microplastic pollution. The huge amount of microplastic fibers found in the ocean is most likely to come from this substance. That’s very poisonous to marine life.
This synthetic material also has a threatening impact on the ecosystem and can trigger concerns like biodiversity loss and wildlife disruption.
Therefore, if you are in love with marine life and want to protect the ecosystem, then stop using polyester right off the bat.
- The production of polyester is carbon-intensive, which damages the environment greatly. The production also depends on fossil fuel extraction, which is also severely toxic to the environment.
Plus, a factory releases a significant amount of greenhouse gases during production, which pollutes the environment and contributes to global warming.
These emissions can also cause respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and lung cancer.
So, if you care for and love the environment around you and want to keep it safe for your own sake and others, you should by any means abstain from getting polyester-made rugs.
- Of all the stuff regarding these cheaper polyester rugs, the most irritating one for the users is they are sticky and scratchy.
Therefore, removing hair, soil, or lint out of the rugs will take quite a task. Regular vacuuming won’t help you either.
- As poisonous chemicals are found in the DNA of polyester if you have a rug made from polyester, it will make the air quality of your indoor spaces poor.
The Environmental Protection Agency explains the quality of indoor air is usually 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor air.
The study is alarming for Americans, as they spend around 90% of their time at home! That’s a true disaster for human health, especially for babies and patients suffering from respiratory diseases.
- Since the fibers of the polyester emit irritants in the environment known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), babies and young children are at high risk of illness because of their immature immune systems.
Though these substances cannot be seen with the bare eye in the atmosphere, they are of course out there and all set to attack you!
Also, people suffering from diseases like sinusitis or asthma are sensitive to poor indoor air quality.
When it comes to your loving and adorable children’s health, as a conscious parent you won’t want to take any sort of risk, will ya?
Hence, you are better off keeping polyester-made products away from your kiddos, even better to entirely avoid these kinds of products.
- Additionally, if you want a long-lasting rug for your home’s flooring, polyester won’t be the best bet. Heavy foot traffic on these rugs will cause them to wear and tear within around 5 years.
Natural fiber-made floor coverings like wool rugs, on the other hand, will last for around 15 long years. That’s amazing!
- Besides, you should also be cautious while putting furniture on top of polyester rugs. Because the synthetic fiber of polyester does not respond kindly to the compression of furniture.
What Else Can Be Used Instead Of Polyester?
Up above the discussion, you’ve already come to know that you should stay away from polyester rugs. But what other options should you choose?
Well, listed below are some of the hygienic and safest natural fiber options that should be taken into consideration while you commit to buying a new rug for your home:
1. Wool
Soft and fluffy, wool is a symbol of luxury, isn’t it? This is a natural fiber material that will mesmerize you for sure.
Though wool is more expensive than synthetic fibers, mind you, it will bring a lot of bang for the bucks. Plus, it is eco-friendly, fire-resistant, and extremely sustainable as well.
Besides being aesthetic and classy, it will offer you a decade-long service if properly cared for.
Wool rugs can be the best choice for you, so you need not think twice about spending on them.
2. Seagrass
Seagrass is also a heavy-duty and durable natural fiber material. As a seagrass rug does not absorb water if you spill anything on it, simply wipe it away.
This elegant natural substance is also washable, which helps you keep the rugs in their pristine condition. Plus, the rugs made of seagrass attract less dirt or grime, making the maintenance process easier for you.
If you also want to have an allergy-free environment, then seagrass rugs will definitely continue to meet your needs well.
Like wool, purchasing seagrass rugs will also cost you lots of bucks, but it will be well worth every penny.
Seagrass rugs won’t disappoint you if you wish to leave your room looking stunning. In addition, this material comes with a hypoallergenic nature, which is entirely safe for people.
Final Thoughts
Okay, now that you’ve got a clear understanding on if polyester rugs are toxic or not.
In a nutshell, though polyester rugs come with appealing and enchanting colors and look good to the eye, it would be better to avoid them without any second thought as they are toxic. They have a shorter lifespan than other natural floor coverings as well.
Now, it’s your turn. What types of rugs do you consider using in your home?
And, did I miss anything in the article? Please do let me know in the comments section below so I can update the article further. Have a nice day, thanks!!!