This short video will tell you everything you need to know about viscose and its many aliases.
Ask your designer why they think viscose is best for your home.
Rug makers lie to consumers and designers.
Even a small water spill can cause the fabric to yellow horribly. (You should see how a pet stain will do! Even after a few months, the material will fade and become unusable.
Viscose, or rayon, is a fiber from wood pulp and cellulose waste by-products. This fiber is made from wood pulp and waste cellulose by-products. The threads undergo a very aggressive chemical process to make them soft and shiny. The rayon-making process is so toxic that it was stopped in the US years ago. Rug makers are now dumping their pollution in India.
The FTC has ruled that bamboo-rayon clothing cannot be imported into the US because of false claims about being “eco friendly” and harmful chemicals. Click here to read the entire article.
The viscose fiber is known as the “sausage” of the cleaning industry because it’s hard to know how it’s produced and what it contains.
Viscose has been given many names to confuse consumers: art silk, banana silk, artificial silk, lyocell, and Tencel. Artificial, bamboo silk, banana silk, lyocell, and Tencel.
The fibers look like silk to the uninitiated. Viscose, on the other hand, is a weaker fiber than silk and is not as durable.
Viscose is a fabric with a distinctive look and feel. It’s true. If viscose were cheap, I wouldn’t spend so much time discussing it. This is because the low price would make everyone aware that it’s not made to last.
Although the fibers are cheap, they do not come at a low price. I am upset that designer artificial silk is sold at comparable prices to natural silk. It’s incredibly upsetting when they use misleading names such as bamboo silk, art silk, artificial fabric, and banana silk to suggest that the silk is natural and not fake.
Spending thousands of dollars on an area rug should last for more than just a few spills or years.
My mission is to educate consumers and designers about the benefits of viscose rugs. I want them to make informed decisions about whether to purchase or not.
When a rug disaster occurs, it will. Eventually, the owner can have realistic expectations about what even the best professional cleaners can do. Most often, replacement is the best solution. Over time, most viscose rug owners will decide not to buy any more viscose.
Consider these things before placing viscose inside your home. Also, here are some tips to help you make it last longer if you decide to use viscose.
Apply Fiber Protector immediately
A fiber protector must be applied on the first day to help protect these rugs. Professional cleaning companies should apply the fiber protector. They often do it in phases to ensure a quick drying time and minimize any texture distortion risk.
Fiber protectors repel soil, spills, and stains very well. The fibers are not bulletproof, particularly viscose. However, it gives you more time to clean the spills and stains.
Remember that viscose fibers are expensive, and anything with repellency can make them last longer. I don’t understand why all viscose manufacturers do not use a protector before every sale. I know the reason. Most sales are final, and manufacturers don’t want your rug to last long. They want you to purchase another one. A flawed product is more profitable for the manufacturer.
Vacuum the viscose very carefully.
Pulls/sprouts on viscose rugs are common. It looks like a cat has clawed it in most traffic areas. There will be thin strands all over. This will be made worse by beater bar vacuums.
It is best to vacuum only with suction on viscose carpets and not use a beater bar. If that doesn’t work, use a horsehair brush to remove lint and a hose vacuum equipped with a square-stair attachment for the surface.
It’s a great way to correct pile distortion in sensitive rugs.
Braun Brush Company
WATER DAMAGE AND PET DISASTERS
If this happens, your rug will likely be ruined. In water, viscose can turn yellow and cause structural damage. Flood damage is usually dark in color because water, including “clean” water, moves through walls and floors with soil. It is unlikely that the rug will ever be new again. If you do not plan to cover it with furniture, it’s best to replace it.
Pet damage is the worst thing that can befall a viscose rug.
It is sometimes possible to correct the color of viscose. You will need to find a specialist willing to take on this task. If you want to find a professional in your area who can help you with your stain problem, please email me. Include a picture and your location, and I will be able to connect you with someone I know.
SPILLS. BLOT CAREFULLY AND QUICKLY. NEVER SCRUB
No miracle spot removers. Never use consumer spot removers to remove spots from wool.
A white cotton towel is the best way to clean up a water spill. Fold it, place it over the area of the spill, and then put a heavy weight onto it. Use a gallon of water or a kettlebell weight to keep the towel in place over the damp spot. If you use a large book stack, please protect the covers from moisture.
Do not disturb the area for 24 hours. Do not peek, or the absorbent will stop. Pick it up to see what’s left. All the moisture from the fibers must move up to the cotton and then pull the “stuff.” This capillary action is best if you press it down. Peeking will stop it.
You can use a dryer sheet to soften the fabric. Then, gently groom the area back into position using a horsehair brush. The dryer sheet breaks surface tension, and the brush picks up fibers. Stop brushing if they begin to separate when you do.