Mention soft floor coverings and most people think of carpets or rugs made of fibers like wool, cotton, silk or synthetics like rayon or acrylic. Now, however, soft floor coverings made from natural grass and plant fibers are gaining in popularity. Called natural-fiber floor coverings, they are typically woven from coir, jute, rush, seagrass or sisal fibers (note: Many manufacturers and decorators use the term “natural-fiber” only for grasses and plant fibers, although, strictly speaking wool, cotton, and silk should also be included in this category).
Mats made from these materials are usually designed for outdoor use, and it may seem strange that people would want them indoors. There are good reasons for their growing popularity.
First, many homeowners feel that synthetics lack the warmth and simplicity of natural materials. There is also a growing concern that increased use of synthetics can be detrimental to the environment. In contrast, floor coverings manufactured from grasses and plant fibers are entirely natural and made from sustainable natural resources.
Usually, these floor coverings are displayed in their natural tones of beige and muted brown, but most of these fibers can be dyed so it is possible to buy natural fiber floor coverings in blues, greens, reds and yellows.
In spite of their advantages, natural fiber floor coverings have some drawbacks. Most of these fibers are absorbent and stain easily, so they should be treated with a stain-resistant spray. They are not as soft or resilient underfoot as traditional carpets; installing a carpet pad underneath can soften them somewhat. Most natural fiber floor coverings do not do well if they are exposed to humidity or dampness.
Coir fiber comes from coconut husks. Traditionally, it has been used to make doormats, poolside coverings and shipping sacks. It can be woven in a variety of patterns. The fiber, however, is very coarse, and loose weaves are not advisable for stair coverings because they present a tripping hazard — heels can easily catch in the mesh. The prickly texture of coir fibers also make it unsuitable as a covering for children’s room and bedrooms.
Jute fiber comes from an East Indian plant. Of all the plant fibers, jute is probably the softest. Floor covering made from this fiber could be used in the bedroom. Jute, however, is not as durable as other plant fibers and will not wear well in heavy traffic.
Rush fibers are wider than other natural fibers. These wide fibers are hand-braided into strips about 3 1/2-inches wide. These are sewn together to create larger mats and rugs.
Other natural fiber coverings can be manufactured in wall-to-wall widths that are held in place with gripper strips around the perimeter of the room. Rush mats, on the other hand, are smaller and laid loose. Rush fibers wear well because they have a smooth surface, but they can be slippery so rush mats should not be used on stairs. Unlike other natural fiber floor coverings, rush mats need to be sprinkled with water periodically to maintain their condition.
Seagrass is grown in fields that are similar to rice paddy fields. During the growing season, the fields are flooded with seawater. The seagrass fiber is tough, durable and smooth. It wears well in high traffic areas and is comfortable underfoot. Seagrass is highly stain resistant and does not need stain protection. However, it cannot be dyed so it is only available in natural tones.
Sisal comes from the leaves of the aglave sisalana bush, a plant that grows in semitropical regions. The strong fibers have traditionally been used to make rope and twine. Sisal fibers are tough and durable, but less prickly than coir (though not as soft as jute) so mats and rugs made from sisal are acceptable for bare feet. Coverings made from sisal are available in a variety of colors, but they do need stain protection.
