Are Polypropylene Rugs the Best Area Rugs?

Has polypropylene popped up everywhere you check for area rugs in recent times? Or you’ve learned that many homeowners now prefer it to other rug materials? Perhaps, you must have wondered why it is said to provide the best value for money in your search for quality area rugs.

While polypropylene rugs are now quite popular for their durability, style, and affordability, they are not so new. Rug manufacturers have been producing 100% machine-made polypropylene rugs for many years and their rising popularity is only as a result of satisfaction owners have derived from purchasing them, over the years.

So, if you are on a hunt for quality rugs or looking to learn why there's so much buzz around polypropylene area rugs, you have come to the right place.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to understand about this rug material and how to keep them looking as good as new always. Let’s take a quick glance at the different types of rug materials.

Rugs can be classified into two broad categories based on the source of the materials they are made from.

• Natural fiber rugs: Natural rugs are made from natural materials. Examples are wool rugs from wool, silk rugs from silk, cotton rugs from cotton, a bamboo rug from bamboo trees, jute rugs from jute plants leather/ hide rug from animal hide, and furs.
• Synthetic fiber rugs: Synthetic fiber rugs are made from non-natural materials. This includes rugs made from nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and more recently, Triexta. 

So, what is polypropylene?

Taking a quick detour into industrial chemistry, Polypropylene is a tough, rigid, and crystalline thermoplastic, gotten from propane monomers. It is one of the cheapest types of plastics available.

Polypropylene belongs to the polyolefin(olefin) family of polymers. It is used as plastic and fiber in different industries such as automotive industries, industrial applications, consumer goods, and furniture markets for everyday things like packaging trays, household products, battery cases, medical devices, etc.

How are Polypropylene Rugs Made ?

Polypropylene rugs are rugs made from synthetic (polypropylene) fibers. They are designed to look like and offer the same level of softness that a natural fiber rug would offer. However, since it is man-made, it has an edge over some other rug materials and is resistant to certain conditions.

Polypropylene rugs are just perfect if you are in the market for an area rug that is long-lasting, comfortable, yet affordable.

Reasons to Buy Polypropylene Rugs

Polypropylene Rugs are Perfect for High Traffic Areas: Polypropylene rugs are made from durable polypropylene fibers, making them a perfect fit as either outdoor rugs or indoor rugs. Their synthetic fibers are strong enough to withstand heavy foot traffic while still retaining lushness for many years. An ideal example is Luxe Weavers' Arman collection multicolor polypropylene rug as it is a good fit for kitchens, living rooms, entryways, and anywhere else where lots of people gather within the home.

If your worry is the number of parties or the size of people that gather in your living room, polypropylene rugs will effortlessly take them on.

Polypropylene rugs come in a variety of adorable styles and patterns: Since they are usually machine-made, polypropylene rugs come in different colors and designs. There is always one to fit your home décor needs. It can be colorful, yet with a traditional pattern finish, as seen in Luxe Weavers' Hampstead Oriental Area rug. It can come as a beautiful aqua runner rug to match your white, modern kitchen, or a welcoming and warm-colored circular rug for your entryway.

Polypropylene Rugs are Perfect Outdoor Rugs: Polypropylene fiber is used to make heavy-duty outdoor rugs as they don’t fade. They are mildew resistant, UV resistant, and quick drying. You can spice up your porch and outdoor space with a bright-colored polypropylene rug since it will not fade in the sun. Polypropylene rugs can keep their colors even in the most severe conditions.

Polypropylene Rugs are Moisture-resistant: Polypropylene fiber is a hydrophobic material i.e. it does not absorb water. So area rugs made from polypropylene are moisture-resistant, dry up within a short time, and are easy to clean.

This makes them perfect for the moist and damp environment. Polypropylene rugs are not porous and do not develop odor due to moisture. They never retain odors of liquid spills once washed out. Polypropylene rugs are perfect for decorating your poolside, beach, and waterfront lodges. They can also be used to decorate damp basements.

Polypropylene Rugs are Stain-resistant: Polypropylene rugs do not absorb stains. This makes them very suitable if you have a family with young kids around and are concerned about your kids’ spilling their drinks on the floor and messing up the apartment with dirt and stains. Polypropylene rugs are stain-resistant but not soil-resistant (they get stained by oil-based dirt).

Polypropylene Rugs are Colorfast: Polypropylene fiber is the best at retaining and holding on to its original color. This is why polypropylene outdoor rugs are resistant to fading due to UV rays. To better maintain your polypropylene rug, clean it regularly, allow it to dry when wet, and store it away when not in use.

Polypropylene Rugs are Easy to Clean: When cleaning area rugs, you mostly need to spot clean and be selective in the types of liquid you use in the process to avoid damages. But if you don't have the diligence to pick through cleaning products, polypropylene rugs are just perfect. You can clean them with different cleaners without having to bother about damaging the fibers. You may also want to learn how to expertly clean polypropylene rugs within a few minutes.

Polypropylene Rugs are Cheap: When planning to buy a rug, quality is important, but price should also be one of the factors that influence your buying decision. Polypropylene rugs are a great choice if you intend to strike a balance between high-quality, long-lasting area rugs and affordable ones.

Polypropylene rugs are cheaper than natural fiber rugs like wool rugs, silk rugs, cotton rugs, etc., because synthetic fibers, which they are made from, are less expensive to produce. As already mentioned, polypropylene rugs are machine-made and this significantly reduces the cost of production.

However, these two factors do not in any way reduce their quality, making buying a polypropylene rug a shrewd decision.

Thankfully polypropylene rugs can have traditional styles and patterns, colorful and brightly patterned finishes, and so on.

How is Polypropylene Different from Other Synthetic Rug Materials?

There are four types of synthetic fibers used for making area rugs. These are acrylic, polyester, nylon, and olefin. While polypropylene falls under olefin, the terms can be used interchangeably to mean the same thing. Below are factors that set polypropylene rugs apart from other synthetic rugs.

Durability

A polypropylene rug has a break strength of 700 pounds, while nylon has a break strength of between 2500 to 7000 pounds, making it 10 times stronger than polypropylene. Polyester has a tensile strength of between 2000 to 10000 pounds.

Price

Polypropylene rugs are cheaper than nylon rugs. Even at the same level of the same durability and quality, polypropylene rugs are cheaper than their nylon counterpart.

At a cheaper cost, polypropylene rugs give the interior of your home a luxurious look with their magnificent designs.

Availability

Polypropylene rugs dominate around 80 percent of the synthetic rugs market.

Lastly, the choice of selecting a suitable area rug for your home goes beyond some of these comparison metrics. If picking an area rug is based solely on strength, the polymer is the best choice. However, factors such as aesthetics, colors, and the overall décor ideas you have for your space affect your choices. Remember, polypropylene rugs are affordable, stain-resistant, durable, and easy to maintain. Luxe Weavers is home to some of the best collections of polypropylene rugs. Check out the Hampstead collection to catch a glimpse.