RAYON RUGS... Readily Ruined, but Still the Rage

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RAYON RUGS... Readily Ruined, But Still the Rage We have published various articles Why might a retailer or It seems that some will do over the years explaining the manufacturer use the term almost anything to keep from shortcomings of rayon. Despite “bamboo silk” instead of rayon? calling their rugs “rayon.” No our best efforts, rayon rugs remain Natural fibers are as popular as other fiber shows up under so extremely popular with designers ever and bamboo is thought of as many different names. Banana and their clients. Undeterred, both natural and sustainable. Silk silk, faux silk and art silk are we bring you—again—our best is, of course, both natural and a almost always rayon (rarely, a information about the limitations luxury fiber. So, the misleading rug will be mercerized cotton). of these products. name really comes down to Luxcelle and Silkette are marketing sizzle (without the steak). tradenames being used for What's in a Name? rayon. Again, the names are For all practical purposes, the confusing (and illegal) because terms rayon and viscose are the fiber content is not interchangeable. There are a immediately recognizable. handful of exceptions, but they are a tiny part of the total market. Problems Abound In fact, the Federal Trade As we’ve mentioned before, we Commission (FTC) says either think of rayon as cotton’s poor name is acceptable. relation. It’s a cellulosic fiber, so it shares a few of cotton’s better What the FTC does not allow qualities (e.g., soft hand and is rayon that is described under resistance to static). But rayon is fanciful names that do not a man-made cellulosic, meaning include either “rayon” or “viscose” some of its properties are quite in the description. A rug that is different from cotton. labeled “100% Bamboo Silk” is actually 100% rayon and 100% Poor Strength. Cotton actually gets in violation of federal labeling stronger when it is wet. Rayon, laws. In fact, the FTC sued several Water spilled on a rayon rug was blotted however, loses strength. In fact, with paper towel and then air-dried. The major retailers for just this type of rayon can lose up to 50% of its resulting pile distortion (light spot) is very infraction in 2012… and the fines common in these rugs. tensile strength when it gets wet. were over $1.2 million. This means that when rayon rugs

Superior Service, Smart Solutions PAGE 1 COPYRIGHT 2016 are cleaned (either by spot cleaning common. Complicating this situation pile. This effect can be somewhat or overall cleaning), greater caution is the fact that aggressive vacuuming corrected by gently grooming the must be used. (with a brush head) is specifically pile upright as it dries, but the recommended against by some overall look of the pile will never be Shading. Rayon is very lustrous, with manufacturers of rayon rugs. “new” again. the result that differences in pile orientation can mean areas appear Poor Cleaning Results. Generally On the Bright Side lighter or darker. This problem is speaking, rayon rugs are difficult As always, the experts of your local often referred to as pile distortion. to clean and many carpet and Fiber-Seal Service Center are just Wet feet, a small spill or a pet rug cleaners will decline to do so. a phone call away when you need accident can all result in this type of As with any other fabric or floor assistance with the care of fine shading problem. covering, dry cleaning is simply interior textiles. As you can see from not very effective on the range of this article, we answer questions When a rayon rug needs spot stains and traffic soils that are most that are not even related to Fiber- cleaning, it can be complicated. common in the home. Wet cleaning, Seal. If we don’t already have the Water-based cleaners tend to using appropriate detergents answer, we’ll help find it for you! flatten the pile, causing noticeable followed by thorough rinsing, is the distortion that can be VERY difficult, most effective method…and also You can also connect with us on if not impossible, to correct. the most problematic for rayon rugs. our social media networks! Poor Resiliency. Rayon is one of the Normal wet cleaning procedures will least resilient of all fibers. Crushing inevitably cause flattening of the and matting in traffic areas is very

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