Wool and silk rug mixtures have always been and will continue to be fashionable. However, as technology advances, so do our home décor items. We are approaching a new era of bamboo silk, just as we transitioned from candelabras to electricity chandeliers. Do you have any questions...

• What is a bamboo rug?
• How does bamboo silk compare to traditional silk?
• Are wool and silk bamboo rugs the best fit for my home?
• How do I choose the right bamboo rug?

In this article, we answer all of your questions. 

The Ultimate Guide to Bamboo Rugs

1. What is Bamboo Silk?

Bamboo silk is made from, you guessed it, bamboo! Bamboo silk is a natural viscose fiber. The plant's cellulose is removed and turned into a sticky paste. The cellulose is then allowed to dry after extraction. It is released as a smooth silky fiber after drying. The end result is a cloud-like fiber that is smooth and cool to the touch. It's highly long-lasting and hypoallergenic, as well as antibacterial.

2. The Difference Between Bamboo and Traditional Silk

The sole distinction between the two is the method of manufacture. So bamboo silk is removed, dried, and then ejected... Isn't that correct? The same process is used to make traditional silk! Silkworms' salivary glands release a sticky liquid protein. While being taken from their mouths, the secretion dries. The sole difference is that bamboo silk grows more quickly and does not necessitate the effort (and death) of silkworms. Both ingredients produce fibers that are incredibly soft and luxuriant.

3. Is Bamboo Silk More Durable Than Traditional Silk?

It is debatable. If a silk rug is not composed entirely of bamboo silk, it can be placed in high-traffic areas without matting or wearing out. To avoid damage and matting, traditional silk rugs should be placed in low-traffic locations. Because traditional silk fibers are more delicate, a traditional silk rug should be put on a wall as a work of art or in a low-traffic area. Heavy furniture, such as armoires, china cabinets, and other solid wood furnishings, should not be placed on a traditional silk rug. Even professional repair will not be able to fix the traditional silk due to the persistent pressure. Area rugs made of bamboo silk can be used in any room of the house and can endure heavy furniture and foot activity. Bamboo silk and traditional silk will both last 50 years or more with adequate care adapted to each material's demands.

NOTE: Both bamboo silk and traditional silk can live for 50 years or more, but traditional silk requires special care and attention to do so.

4. What Percentage of Bamboo Silk and Wool is Used?

You might imagine that a rug made entirely of Bamboo silk would be the softest, shiniest, and most luxurious rug available... Let me explain why this is not the case. If the bamboo silk to wool ratio is greater than 30/70, you're going to have a real mess on your hands. If there is a spill, bamboo silk is incredibly permeable and can absorb the liquid almost instantaneously, making stain treatment impossible. Bamboo silk fibers, while not as fragile as traditional silk, are too sensitive to sustain heavy foot traffic or furniture on their own. To keep its shape and resiliency, bamboo silk requires a sturdy, soft fiber like wool. Wool/silk blends from RugKnots are usually 30/70 or less. This gives the appropriate amount of gleam and opulence without sacrificing durability.

5. What Does Bamboo Silk Feel Like?

It all depends on how the rug is washed, believe it or not. Do you know how your garments become brittle and stiff when you neglect to add fabric softener to the laundry? During the Industrial Revolution, fabric softeners were produced to fight static and brittleness caused by machine washing wool and cotton with harsh detergents. We didn't need a softener when we washed our garments by hand using very light soap and water because our hands softened the fabric. The same principle applies to rug cleaning. Area rugs that combine sumptuous plushness with long-lasting durability. Hand washing the bamboo rug, on the other hand, removes some of the silky sheens. The fibers will transfer color onto garments, dogs, and carpeting below if the rug is not hand-washed; the rug will not last as long, and it will be harsh or brittle to the touch. Everything is given and taken, as we have learned to recognize wisdom with age-ahem, wisdom with youth.   

6. How to Clean a Bamboo Silk Rug?

It's quite straightforward. Spot treat stains and get your carpets professionally cleaned once a year. If you only remember one item from this article, make it this... Never use a rag or a brush to remove a stain. This causes so severe damage to the rug that even expert rug cleaners may not be able to repair it.

The RugKnots family has been hand-knotting wool and bamboo silk rugs for decades. During this period, we've studied and written a complete Rug Cleaning Guide for at-home use. It would not fit into this post because it is so jam-packed with all of the information you need to know about cleaning your rug!   

7. How Much Should Bamboo Silk Area Rugs Cost?

Knot Count = $$$. Size, form, design, age, and material are all factors that influence the price. In the community of hand-knotted rugs, however, knot count is the universal determinant of value. KPSI is used to calculate the knot count.

The rug will be softer, more durable, and more valuable if the KPSI is higher. Many establishments may charge between $50 and $60 per square foot. Some rug stores are charging as much as $70! 1stdibs.com's bamboo silk rug starts at $85 a square foot! We don't have to pay a middleman because we are a family-owned and factory-direct company. This eliminates the need to pay a middleman!

8. What Knot Count Should I Be Looking For?

RugKnots wool and silk-blend carpets have an average knot count of around 81 KPSI. A knot count of 40-50 KPSI is typical of a low-quality rug. A high-quality rug will have a pressure range of 75-200 KPSI. The KPSI will determine the rug's value once more. The price will soar if the knot count is larger. The price will drop if the knot count is lower.

9. Are There Any Issues With Bamboo Silk Rugs?

No. You won't have any problems with a wool and bamboo silk rug if you keep in mind that both wool and bamboo silk are natural fibers.

10. Do Bamboo Silk Rugs Sprout?

When what looks to be a plucked thread or yarn "sprouts" up out of the rug, this is known as "Sprouting." Hand-knotted rugs made of natural fibers are notorious for this. Do not be alarmed! As you and your family grow accustomed to your new hand-knotted rug, this will happen. If the yarn sprouts, do not pull it. The rug will be damaged if the yarn is pulled. Simply trim the section of yarn to the same level as the rest of the rug's pile with a pair of small, sharp scissors.

11. Do They Shed?

Yes, but natural fiber rugs (wool, silk, bamboo silk, and so on) are all shed. The amount of shedding now is determined by the rug's quality. A higher-quality rug will shed for the first few weeks after you bring it home, but it will gradually stop. A rug that is not hand-knotted and is of poor quality will be shed indefinitely. Sarah's jeans were completely covered with wool after only 2 minutes of kneeling on her wool rug! This is due to Sarah's wool rugs being of lower quality and having been vacuumed with a beater bar excessively. Vacuum in the direction that the wool fibers are facing to avoid excessive shedding, and never vacuum with a beater bar vacuum. The beater bar is designed to suck debris deep into the basis of synthetic rugs and carpets. Vacuum cleaners with beater bars are too powerful for wool and bamboo silk rugs. Vacuum softly with the bristle attachment or a vacuum that does not have a beater bar.

The best part is that you're doing your part to save the environment! Wool and Bamboo silk are cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and environmentally friendly. Wool and bamboo are two of the most renewable resources on the planet! Toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released by synthetic fibers like polypropylene and nylon in the air, landfills, and, eventually, your home. Bamboo depletion is a threat to panda habitats, not because bamboo is being harvested, but because of the harmful fumes produced by VOCs harming the bamboo. As you can see, architectural and decorative goods like synthetic rugs account for 42% of VOCs released into the atmosphere! Bamboo is a hardy crop that can grow tall and plentiful without much aid from farmers in practically any environment. Sheep are sheared every year for their wool, and the sheep are not harmed in the process. In reality, the sheep appreciate the haircut since it allows them to cool off without having to deal with all of their hair! The only way to free the caterpillar from the woven silk in natural silk carpets is to boil the silk with the caterpillar still attached. In the production of one pound of silk, around 2,500 silk caterpillars are killed. We contribute to hazardous VOCs in the air and landfills when we use plastic products such as water bottles, throwaway plates, and plastic utensils, as well as synthetic carpeting.

When laboratory rats were exposed to VOCs, the New York State Department of Health says that "[VOCs] induced cancer and damaged the liver, kidney, and nervous system." "Disposal of unwanted products containing VOCs," the New York State Department of Health advises. Also, only utilize items (fake rugs) outside. Natural, renewable items like bamboo silk and wool help to reduce the amount of plastic in landfills and the hazardous VOC gases discharged into the air when synthetic products are manufactured. Always recycle and keep your plastic and VOC intake to a minimum. So now you know everything there is to know about bamboo carpets!

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions by our customers

1. Are bamboo rugs a smart investment?

A bamboo silk carpet is a great purchase because it is sustainable, versatile, and fashionable, with a wide range of complementary products available. It is durable due to the enhanced polypropylene weaving technology used in its construction. Bamboo rugs are also eco-friendly which makes for an overall better planet! And ultimately, you can feel good about your decision. These rugs are part of a green solution, so they are great for the environment. Bamboo silk rugs look beautiful in any decorating style because there are many colors available, so please check out our section on complementary hues or create a new look that speaks to you. These versatile woven floor coverings can be used in your living room, bedroom, or anywhere in your house.

2. Is silk a suitable fabric for rugs?

Natural silk rugs are a great choice for anyone who wants to add a touch of luxury and elegance. Silk is very soft and smooth, which means that it feels nice underfoot and has an elegant look. It makes the perfect fabric for rugs because it does not wear down or lose its color easily; in fact, silk tends to get richer over time as the fibers. Silk is a great fabric for rugs because it has a natural luster that makes any area look rich and elegant. Silk is a fabric that never goes out of style and can be used to create a timeless look in any home. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic so it is great for anyone who has allergies or asthma that flares up from certain fabrics.

3. What are the benefits of the bamboo silk area rug?

The bamboo silk area rug has many great qualities, so if you want to invest in one we recommend checking out our guide on why they're awesome. The main benefit is that they don't shed or fade. These bamboo rugs are best used in areas that will not experience much wear and tear, such as a bedroom or living room. Bamboo silk rugs are another great option because they have many advantages over other types of floor coverings, such as bamboo or cotton. Bamboo silk rugs are also extremely luxurious and soft underfoot, so they’re perfect for any room in your home where you want to add a cozy touch such as the bedroom or den. They feel much better than regular cotton because of their plushness that helps you sink into them when walking across them with bare

4. What is a silk rug made of artificial silk?

Artificial silk rugs are made from a combination of bamboo and rayon. Viscose is manufactured from wood pulp and cotton waste. Faux silk, art silk, man-made silk, imitation silk, rayon, banana silk, bamboo silk, lyocell, or ramie are all terms for viscose. Viscose has the benefit of being turned into extremely soft fibers.

5. How can I clean my silk rugs?

You can clean your silk rugs using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. This will help remove some of the particles that have built up on your silk rugs over time. You can also use a gentle cleaning solution to clean your silk rugs, but make sure you are following all directions and safety precautions for whatever product you choose to use. You can also go for professional rug cleaners who will have the equipment and expertise to clean your silk rugs thoroughly.

We hope you now understand what all the fuss is about with bamboo silk rugs. RugKnots has the greatest and highest-quality silk rugs at a reasonable price! We have a vast selection of styles and designs to choose from, so you can choose the right rug for your home. We also offer free shipping! So, Buy rugs from our website now! For more information please email us at info@rugknots.com or call us at (301) 660-7046. We are happy to answer your questions!