Seagrass is a natural fiber that’s becoming increasingly popular in home and office decor. It’s an attractive, tough, durable and stain resistant fiber that’s used in rugs, baskets and even in the type of lightweight furnishings that have been traditionally fashioned out of rattan or bamboo. A seagrass area rug is a great way to define a specific space in your home or business.
Seagrass Rugs, Friendly for You and the Environment
The commercial salt marsh grass that’s made into seagrass rugs is grown predominantly in the paddy fields of China, Southeast Asia and India. Until recently, these grasses were thought to be an unusable fiber. The growing demand for natural fibers, however, has created a market for custom seagrass rugs and other seagrass household items, which has greatly diversified income sources for inhabitants of these areas, who were previously dependent upon fishing alone.
During the growing season, seagrass paddy fields are periodically flooded with brackish water, which gave rise to the name “seagrass.” When these grasses mature, the fields are drained, and the plants are cut, bundled and twisted (“plied”) by hand. The resulting fibers are spun into strands that are tough, durable and non-porous.
Seagrass is self-propagating and grows very quickly, which makes it a fully sustainable crop. Another eco-friendly feature of seagrass is that it is biodegradable.
Natural Seagrass Rugs
Seagrass is one of the most stain resistant of all fibers. Because seagrass fibers are not porous, a seagrass rug cannot be dyed. However, the fibers’ natural color is a range of attractive yellows, sage greens and browns that blend harmoniously into most decors. If you are sensitive to the chemicals found in industrial dyes, you will appreciate that generally no toxins have been added to natural grass rugs that can trigger allergies.
A sea grass rug will last for a decade if it’s well cared for however a seagrass area rug will not last as long in an area with high humidity. That’s because seagrass is easily damaged by water. If you spill water on grass rugs, you must mop it up immediately, or you risk the growth of mildew, other molds and bacteria. For this reason we recommend that you do not use seagrass area rugs in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas of your home where they will be exposed to excess moisture and humidity on a regular basis. We suggest you purchase seagrass rugs for interior use only and due to the smooth finish we recommend that you do not have seagrass rugs on staircases.
Seagrass can be custom crafted into any type of flooring that fits your needs, from a round seagrass rug to a rectilinear floor rug fitted to the exact dimensions of a room. A grass area rug or larger rug is typically fitted with a latex backing or bound edges using wool to minimize the rug from slipping.
The intricate weaves used in seagrass rugs combined with their natural palette of subtle shadings give them a textural depth that you will not find duplicated in a synthetic carpet. Their natural stain resistance also makes them an eminently practical choice for your home. A seagrass rug is a beautiful addition to any residence.