What Are the Characteristics of a Seagrass Rug?
Seagrass can range from a light sage green to a khaki color.
After traveling from a saltwater marsh in Asia to become an eco-friendly floor covering, seagrass give you a natural fiber rug with low maintenance care. The grassy appearance resembles neutral-colored hay and harmonizes with different color schemes for an airy look. Seagrass rugs come in a variety of weave patterns, such as a diamond weave, to suit your room’s decor. Pair your biodegradable covering with an indoor rug pad to provide a durable, cushioned layer to protect your floor and extend the life of your seagrass rug.
Seagrass fibers have a waxy coating with a smooth texture and natural sheen. Impermeable to water, these thick fibers show minimal watermarks and stains. Fresh seagrass might appear light sage green and gradually age to a tan or khaki color. This variegated color and texture give the rug a clean look. Dirt does not cling to the wax coating, and settles on the weave for quick removal during vacuuming. Seagrass also provides sound insulation, an added benefit in high traffic areas.
This rug’s durable fibers suit the living room, dining room and bedroom. Seagrass also works as a runner for your high-traffic hallway. In contrast to pile rugs or carpets, seagrass has minimal nap and shows little crushing. Binding materials include canvas, linen and leather to provide a clean finish to the edges. Depending on the manufacturer, the seagrass rug may include a natural latex backing for stability.
Your rug's nonporous fibers wipe clean with a damp cloth. Blot a spill with the cloth, and avoid rubbing the stain into the weave. Lift solids with a dull knife. Treat stubborn stains with mild soap on a damp cloth, and then dry with a hair dryer or fan, if necessary. Vacuum your area rug with a strong brush suction. Test vacuum first on a small section with different suction settings, such as for area rugs, if possible. Vacuum in different directions over multiple passes to suction the loose dirt from the weave, and vacuum canvas and linen bindings in the direction of the stitches to avoid pulling and to maintain the edging. Wipe with a damp cloth over a leather binding, or apply a leather cleaner according to the manufacturer’s directions. Do not steam clean or shampoo your seagrass rug.
Before you purchase a seagrass rug, be aware that high humidity can cause mold, mildew and other problems with the natural fibers. Mold and mildew look unsightly and, more importantly, can affect your health. Ask the sales staff to recommend the best solution to eliminate these problems. For example, wear protective gloves and mix a recommended solution in a mist sprayer; mist the targeted area and work the weave with a brush, but don't mist the binding. Follow the directions for drying the damp area within a time range, if necessary.
Hatashita-Lee, Kathryn. "What Are the Characteristics of a Seagrass Rug?" Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/characteristics-seagrass-rug-97137.html. Accessed 24 April 2019.