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When you’re shopping for that perfect rug, you’ll likely come across polyester rugs. After all, they are comfortable, affordable, and diverse rugs fitting for any home. Even with all these benefits, there are some concerns with polyester rugs. There have been rumors over the years that polyester rugs are toxic and unhealthy. To help you make an informed purchase, we’ve created a full guide on what polyester rugs are and why they have been labeled as toxic.
The first step in this process is to understand what polyester rugs actually are. Polyester is a plastic based material, and its rug fibers are constructed out of plastic fibers derived from petrochemicals. You would never guess that’s the origin of the rug’s fibers based on texture and appearance. In fact, polyester rugs look just like other types of rugs, albeit with a different level of softness and/or plushness. The rugs are soft and comfortable on their own, and with their affordability and durability, it’s no wonder why so many people are using polyester rugs in their homes.
As soon as people hear that these rugs are derived from petrochemicals or plastic, alarm bells tend to go off. Plastics have been connected to various illnesses and deficiencies, so many wonder how safe these rugs truly are. Some of these concerns are valid. Polyester rugs are made with bisphenol A (a chemical that affects hormones) and are treated with other chemicals to increase their resilience and fire resistance. In general, these rugs’ chemicals rarely impact non-sensitive groups, but it’s still best to be informed on what these elements are.
Polyester rugs in particular are known for off-gassing from volatile organic compounds )VOCs). These fumes are a known carcinogen, and they have their own odor. They also impact the overall air quality of the room, especially if the room isn’t well ventilated. When these chemicals are released into the room, they can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation with those who are sensitive to odors or have other health issues. The chemicals that are released through offgassing can be absorbed through inhalation or through the skin.
Another area for concern are the chemicals used to treat the rug. While it certainly is appealing to have a flame retardant area rug, it does come at a cost. Flame retardant chemicals themselves can be hazardous or toxic if they are breathed in or if they get onto the skin. Breathing in these fumes has been linked to cancer in extreme cases where firefighters have heavy exposure to the chemicals. Limited exposure to area rugs is not nearly the same as a firefighter’s exposure, but even so, it’s worth considering as it is indeed a dangerous chemical and can impact the room’s air quality.
When you look for rug layering ideas, you often see rectangular rugs paired with one another to create a neat, tidy appearance. However, there’s so much potential in using rugs of different shapes and sizes to create dynamic and highly personalized rooms. Round, oval, square, octagonal, and animal hide rugs all boast their own unique shapes, materials, and styles. Combining these less conventional shapes with one another is a great way to show off a highly personalized style in your home.
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When you’re choosing a polyester rug, there is a way to choose one that is less likely to be toxic. First and foremost, look for certifications and details of how the rug is made. Take note of what chemicals may be used in the manufacturing process and how likely the rug is to produce VOCs. The manufacturer will often have details sharing how their rugs are made and why they are considered to be safe and non-toxic.
Just by the sheer nature of the rug’s base material, you will experience some off-gassing. To take care of that issue, it’s best to place your polyester rug in a well ventilated room. This is especially true in the rug’s early days when it is fresh out of the factory. Allow the rug to rest in a well ventilated spare room with open windows and fans to expedite the off-gassing process. Once this initial process is done, it’ll be safer and more comfortable for the rug to sit in its final location.
There are manufacturers that limit the amount of chemicals used in the rug’s construction and finishes to create a healthier, more eco-friendly rug. As you shop for that polyester rug, look for ones that are specifically labeled as eco-friendly or have low-toxicity. Don’t be afraid to research the manufacturer and look at other customer reviews to see the quality of their rugs.
Since there are some concerns with polyester rugs, you may want to steer clear of them entirely. Natural materials like wool, cotton, jute, and sisal are popular alternatives that do not use these hazardous chemicals in the fibers or finish of the rug. Even synthetic materials like polypropylene are a good alternative, since polypropylene rugs use different chemicals and do not have the same toxicity concerns.
It can be daunting to hear how many chemicals are used in creating and treating polyester rugs. Even with all these chemical treatments however, polyester rugs are not considered toxic. The low levels of these chemicals and how they typically only impact those already struggling with health issues makes it so they are generally fine for homes. However, it is up to you to make an informed decision on what you include in your home. Whether you include a polyester area rug in your home or not, you now have the knowledge to make a good choice and the ability to research any lingering questions you may have.
It’s as easy as adding the Protection Plan - along with the product you want covered - to your cart and checking out!
Once you purchase coverage, you will receive a welcome email, giving you access to your dedicated portal (where you will be able to view your coverage information and file a claim).
Accidental damage coverage begins day 1 of purchase, while defects in materials and workmanship are covered as soon as the 30-day return period expires.
You can file a claim by going to getmulberry.com/login and by logging into your portal. Or you can simply contact the customer support team 24/7 via [email protected].
If damage is beyond repair, Mulberry will replace your product or will reimburse you for your product. If a repair is needed, Mulberry will coordinate technician cleaning or repair. Mulberry will repair your product up to its original retail price.
You are able to cancel your Protection Plan by contacting Mulberry or by logging into your customer portal. Within the first 30 days of purchase, you will receive a full refund.
You can exchange your product for an identical product, without it affecting your warranty purchase. If you exchange your product for a different item, you will need to cancel your existing coverage and purchase a new plan, as coverage is tied to the specific product with which it was purchased.
Currently, coverage is only available in the United States, including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.
The Protection Plan does not cover damage that occurs during product delivery, pet damage (other than bodily fluids), odor elimination, intentional abuse of the product, or theft or loss of the product.
Yes. All protection plans are transferable in ownership.
Mulberry is a best-in-class extended warranty provider that works with retailers to provide customers with accidental damage protection on their purchased products.
The Mulberry Protection Plan is a 1- and 5-year extended coverage program that protects against accidental damage to your rug.
Mulberry provides a quick, online claims process and does not require a receipt to file a claim.
Enjoy Free Standard Shipping on us within the continental United States. For orders to Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Hawaii, freight forwarding costs and associated duties will be calculated at Checkout. For large, oversize rugs that require a surcharge above our shipping and freight partners’ standard shipping rates, an Oversize Processing Shipping fee is calculated in Cart.
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