If you are thinking of making more ethical choices for your home décor, we believe the perfect place to start is under your feet. That is right; we are talking about cruelty free rugs! Harming animals and other creatures for your own comfort is hardly an ethical choice. At RugKnots, we think it is time for all of us to take responsibility for our choices and make better ones, starting from our home. Decorating your home with cruelty-free rugs will give it the refreshing touch of nature and allow you to enjoy the comfort of your rugs guilt-free. Cruelty free rugs will not relinquish the style and aesthetic value of your home. Instead, they will add a softer, greener, and close-to-nature kind of feel to your décor while keeping the flair alive. When you buy cruelty free rugs in the US, you pledge allegiance to sustainability and commit to ethical choices for home décor. Since you have decidedly committed to buying ethically sourced area rugs, you must research the source of each cruelty-free rug and how the manufacturer made it. So, how do you choose a cruelty-free rug for your home? Read our comprehensive guide on how to buy cruelty free rugs in the US to find out!

How to Choose Ethically Sourced Cruelty Free Rugs?

It is sad to realize that cruelty-free living is still a foreign concept in many parts of the world. However, the good news is that we are learning and willing to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. By now, most of us know that leather couches are a big no if we want to avoid animal cruelty. Unfortunately, leather furniture is not our only problem where animal cruelty is concerned. We have a whole new chapter of wool and silk rugs to tackle. So, where do we start? Well, let us begin by first identifying the fundamental problems in the rug-weaving world.

What Are the Fundamental Problems of the Rug Industry Today?

We know that the rug manufacturing industry does not comprise of a single step process. It is a complex network of practices. Over the years, there have been doubts and questions about the safety and health risks of the workers in the rug industry. Moreover, there have been reports from UNICEF that identify various root problems in the rug industry. These core problems include child labor, forced labor, challenging working conditions, and lack of access to education and healthcare. Rug industries are one of the most significant sources of employment in countries such as Pakistan, India, and Nepal. As a result, it is necessary to ensure that the workers in this industry receive fair treatment. Another rapidly developing problem in the rug industry is the use of chemically treated synthetic fabric for rug weaving. As we continue to evolve, the market demand for the ‘cheap’ has risen monumentally. Consequently, to achieve the goal of cheap but fast production, rug weavers are manufacturing rugs from synthetic, cheap, and easily available fibers. These fibers are harmful to the environment. Cheap rugs may be good for your bank, but they make quite a dent in the environment. And if we do not change strategies and buy cruelty free rugs, the damage may become irrecoverable. If you want to buy within your budget, you can buy cruelty free rugs on sale or buy cheaper, natural rugs made from jute, sisal, etc.

How Do I Know I am Buying an Ethically Sourced Rug?

The easiest way to check if you are buying cruelty free rugs will be to buy from reputed vegan rug manufacturers. There are many rug manufacturers, importers, retailers, and other industry partners who dabble with cruelty-free rugs. They aim to improve the living standards of carpet weavers and ensure sustainability. Secondly, you can purchase rugs endorsed by non-profit organizations recognized for their efforts in the rug weaving industry. These third parties ensure that part of the money spent on rugs goes back to the rug weaving community. They encourage the manufacturing of ethically sourced, cruelty free rugs. Their efforts yield better working conditions for rug weavers and better lives for animals and the carpet weaving community.

Which Rug Materials Are Sustainable and Cruelty Free?

Whether you buy cruelty free rugs online or at brick and mortar stores, the best choice is a flatweave made from natural fibers. Natural fibers are sustainable and cruelty-free, but they also have a variety of practical benefits such as:

• Durability
• Natural Insulation
• Easy wash

You can order cruelty free rugs online at RugKnots, too. We house the hottest collection of cotton, sisal, and jute cruelty free rugs at affordable prices! You can also catch us during the sale season and get the best picks of cruelty free rugs for sale! Now let us check out a few popular choices for the most sustainable and cruelty-free rug materials on the market!

1.   Cotton

Naturally hypoallergenic and sourced from a plant, cotton is affordable, ethically sourced, and cruelty free. Are you looking for environmentally friendly rug options? If so, cotton is the perfect material for cruelty free rugs. It is also an easy rug choice for those of you who are rug shopping on a budget.

PROS

• Cheaply priced
• Cruelty free
• Easy to clean
• Hypoallergenic

CONS

• Not a naturally stain-resistant material
• Fades quickly
• Relatively less durable than other rug materials

Is cotton pet and child friendly?

Even though vegan area rugs made up of cotton is a highly breathable rug material and safe for your pets and kids, it does not stand relentless wear and tear. Usually, it has a comparatively shorter life span. So, if you have kids or pets at home who love to run around all day long, you may want something stronger than cotton. However, for the shorter term, cotton is completely safe and healthy for pets and kids.

2.   Jute

As opposed to cotton, jute is highly durable. Jute is a golden-hued biodegradable fiber and one of the most eco-friendly cruelty-free rug materials on the market. Obtained from the stalk of a tropical grass plant, jute is easy to maintain and lasts for years. Jute cruelty free rugs can easily withstand heavy foot traffic and are very affordable. So, if you want to buy cruelty free rugs in the US, get yourself a jute rug! The naturally golden color of jute fiber gives your home an all-natural, earthy, and refreshing look. A jute rug is a perfect fit for coastal style homes!

PROS

• Durable and long-lasting
• Eco-friendly
• Free of hazardous and toxic chemical substances
• No fading

CONS

• Coarse to touch
• Easily absorbs water so it may show watermarks with time

If you have kids and pets at home, you may want to take those cons into consideration. The relatively coarse jute fiber could give your child a rash. Moreover, kids and pets love to spill all kinds of things on rugs. Over time, the stains of liquid spills will begin to show, and they may not be a very pretty sight for a living room.

3.  Bamboo Silk

Obtained from the fibers of the bamboo plant, bamboo silk is a renewable, cruelty free rug material. Bamboo silk is luxurious, naturally strong, and highly resilient. If you are looking for a cruelty free carpet that offers luxury, comfort, and practicality, you should order cruelty free rugs online made from bamboo silk.

PROS

• Soft and luxurious
• Light-weight
• Beautiful and resilient

CONS

• Difficult to clean
• Super delicate
• Cannot spot clean
• Easily susceptible to damage

How to Clean My Cruelty Free Rug in an Eco-Friendly Way?

Now that you know how to pick a cruelty free rug, it is time to learn how to clean rugs in an eco-friendly way. Jute, cotton, and bamboo silk are natural fiber rugs that are easy to wash and clean. Keeping this in mind, it is highly unlikely that you will require cleaning products with harsh, toxic chemicals to clean these cruelty free rugs. We would recommend that you treat spills and stains on these rugs with warm water and a soft washcloth or paper towel. Do not scrub the rug too harshly, or you will damage the pile. Just dab at the stain patiently until it fades. If the stains remain, we recommend sending your rug for professional cleaning.

How Can I Get My Cruelty Free Rugs to Last Longer?

To get your vegan, cruelty free rugs to last longer, keep the following three tips in mind:

• Make sure that your rug has a cotton backing and a braided fringe.
• Vacuum clean the rug regularly.
• Rotate your rug every few months to get equal wear on all sides.

Takeaway

It is often difficult to find a good quality ethically sourced, cruelty free rug. The trick is to identify cruelty-free rug materials and make sure no hazardous chemicals are involved in the rug manufacturing process.

At RugKnots online shop for luxury rugs, we believe there is no place like a home furnished with ethically sourced décor. It is decorated with rugs that are friendly to animals, humans, and the environment. Cruelty free rugs are affordable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. And if you want a survivable environment for future generations, you should make some ethical choices with your rugs and other furnishings. You can start by browsing RugKnots’ collection of cruelty free rugs for sale and find the perfect vegan rug for your home!

Happy vegan shopping!