Hemp Rugs Pros and Cons

Natural Area Rugs Blog Staff

Natural Area Rugs Blog Staff

Your trusted source for Natural Area Rugs inspiration & information. ~ Nurturing your home with nature ~

Hemp rugs are making a splash in interior design. We’ve seen them in everything from hotels to clinics, and now you can find them almost anywhere. Hemp rugs are eco-friendly, durable, and attractive—so why aren’t more people using them? Here we lay out the pros and cons of hemp rugs.

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What is Hemp?

Hemp fiber is a type of fiber that is extracted from the stalk and stems of the industrial hemp plant. Hemp fiber is a strong and durable fiber that is used in a variety of products, including clothing, accessories, and home goods.

Hemp is one of the oldest plants on Earth, and it has been used for many different purposes throughout history. For example, the ancient Romans used hemp for rope, clothing, and building materials, and during the Middle Ages, hemp was used to make sails and ropes for ships.

Hemp is a natural fiber, more durable than cotton, and grows in a variety of soils and climates. These rugs are normally made in India, China and Pakistan. Hemp originates from the cannabis plant, but the THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) has been removed, making it non-psychoactive. The hemp is harvested, cleaned, and scoured. The fibers are then tied into bundles, sent to the weaver, and woven into rugs.

hemp plants

Pros of Hemp Rugs

Hemp Is Strong

Hemp fiber is made from the stalk of the plant. As a result, hemp fibers are much longer than those of most other fibers, such as wool or cotton. The length of hemp fibers, combined with their strength, makes them ideal for use in textile production. The resulting fabric is incredibly strong and durable.

If you combine the strength of hemp with its antimicrobial properties, you are left with a textile that will age extremely well. It won’t break down, tear or become smelly. It will break in and just get softer with time while retaining its inherent durability and strength.

Hemp Is Mold and Mildew Resistant

A lot of people are allergic to mold and mildew. There are many people that do not want any product that has a chance of mold in their lives. Hemp is a natural product that is mold and mildew resistant due to its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties

Hemp plants contain chemicals that help to kill or suppress the growth of mold and mildew, as well as other plant pathogens. 

Hemp Rugs Are Fire Resistant

Hemp is a fire retardant fiber, and all forms of hemp, including rugs, are not flammable. In fact, Canadian Hemp (the plant) is considered a weed in many areas, because it is so difficult to burn. In addition, they do not shed threads and do not catch fire as they do not have any organic components that are easily combustible.

Repels Liquids and Stains

The hemp fiber is made from the bast-fibers found in the bark of the hemp plant. It is one of the strongest natural fibers known. Hemp fiber is hydrophobic. This means that the long, thin fibers found in hemp are naturally repellent to liquids.

Hemp rugs are naturally resistant to spills and stains. Being naturally absorbent, it can handle liquid spills easily. Hemp rugs have a high wicking property, which makes it a good option for the bathroom and kitchen in case of spills.

100% hemp rugs are durable and breathable. Because they are woven and not knit, they repel liquids and stains. Oil and water based stains are repelled and simply wipe away.

Hemp Fibers Are Naturally Antimicrobial

Hemp is antimicrobial, which is a naturally occurring property of hemp materials. Hemp‘s natural resistance to bacterial and fungal growth is due to the composition of the cell walls. The walls of hemp cells are composed of strong, durable cellulose fibers. These fibers are what make up the hemp plant’s outer skin. Cellulose is a tough material, and it is also naturally resistant to bacteria and fungi.

Hemp Is Biodegradable

It is a common misconception that hemp cannot be biodegraded; this is not true. Hemp can be grown as a renewable resource to produce an array of products. Hemp is a carbon-negative raw material that is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It takes a mere ninety days to produce a hemp crop ready for harvest and two hundred days to produce a crop ready for the production of paper. Hemp is also a natural soil builder, providing nitrogen to the soil.

Cons of Hemp Rugs

Hemp Rugs Are Expensive

Hemp rugs may be expensive but that’s only because they are niche products. Hemp rugs are becoming increasingly popular because of the unique qualities they bring to the table, such as sustainability and sustainability.  The longer a hemp rug sits in your home, the softer it becomes, so they are a rug that you can enjoy for several years to come. 

Stigma of Hemp

There is a stigma associated with hemp because of the mistaken belief that hemp is the same as marijuana, when in fact it is an entirely different plant, with different effects.

This is not only a stigma on the consumer end, but also on companies or farmers who want to get involved in the growing and marketing of hemp. Hemp is a great crop for many reasons. It is easy to grow, requiring less water than other crops. It is a quick crop to harvest, requiring only three months from seed to harvest. Hemp can be grown throughout the year in most climates, being able to withstand frost.

As the stigma of cannabis fades, the stigma of hemp grows stronger.

FAQs of Hemp Rugs

Are Hemp Rugs Soft?

Hemp rugs are not as soft as other materials. Rugs made with 100% hemp could feel quite rough under your feet.

Hemp rugs may be durable and they surely have other benefits as well, but it’s not necessarily soft. If you’re looking for something soft, you might want to consider a hemp blend with another material. 100% hemp might not be as cozy as you’d like.

Natural fiber rugs made with 100% hemp are great for outdoor open spaces because of their durability and mold resistant qualities.

Can You Wash Hemp Rugs?

When washing a hemp rug, we always recommend this be handled by a professional rug cleaning company

Washing of a hemp rug is possible in your home. However, these rugs should never be washed with a washing machine. 

It is essential to monitor the level of moisture when cleaning a hemp rug. Avoid steam cleaning, wet shampooing or any other process that could lead to water saturation of natural hemp rugs.

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