Bamboo silk is a popular fiber trend in area rugs currently. Some rugs using bamboo silk are beautiful and shiny, just like silk. The key words here are “like silk”. These rugs, though aesthetically attractive in the home when they are new. Most home owners are unaware that this soft, luxurious floor covering is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to clean and does not wear well. So today we are discussing the pros and cons of bamboo silk rugs.
What is Bamboo Silk?
Bamboo silk is simply the name given to a rug made from viscose, a blend of viscose and/or fiber removed from bamboo stalks. Manufacturers are using bamboo silk more often because it is easier and cheaper to acquire than authentic silk. Further, bamboo once processed, is very soft, with the look of more expensive silk. However, despite the use of the word “silk” bamboo silk rugs are not real silk. Viscose is a rayon fiber which reacts poorly to moisture.
Is It the Same as Art Silk?
Bamboo silk is sold under several different names, but these are essentially all the same fiber or blends of artificial fibers, which can be confusing. In fact, the different names these viscose rugs come under can sound like they are a different fiber altogether. While there are different production methods, these rugs are all essentially the same. Bamboo silk comes under a variety of different names including:
Art Silk
Banana Silk
Bamboo Silk
Luxcelle
Tencel
Lyocell
Bemberg
Modal
Negatives of Bamboo SIlk
Adversion to liquids
One of the biggest negatives for bamboo silk is its delicacy and issues with water. The unfortunate side of viscose and artificial silk fabrics is their poor reaction to water or other liquids. This is because water or liquids weakens the rug and changes the appearance of the fabric pile. Even spilling water on the rug will look like a stain. Spot cleaning these rugs is also very tricky and should only be tackled by a professional company. As a result, bamboo silk rugs are not as hardwearing or as easy to care for as many people believe. They are best suited to rooms with little to no traffic, or as a wall piece.
Crushing
Another con for bamboo silk is it being highly susceptible to crushing. This means the fibers can easily crease or flatten under foot traffic or furniture. This makes it a difficult fabric to work with and keep nice in a home, especially if it is used on the floor.
Staining
The biggest problem for artificial silk rugs is their susceptibility to staining. Due to the fact that bamboo silk reacts badly to liquids, meaning anything spilled on the rug is likely to set in the fibers for good. Bal Arisi has had success in removing stains from Bamboo silk, however we do not guarantee stain removal.
The Positives of Bamboo Silk
Despite its many issues, bamboo silk does have many benefits. It is a wonderful component in non-pile woven fabric, in combination with fibers like cotton.
Beauty
Viscose accents in a rug are also lovely and any changes in color to those accents is generally not noticeable. They are also beautiful, light weight, and as lovely an addition to your home.
Price
Though bamboo silk is often marketed as a high-end fiber and priced accordingly, it is still more economical than real silk. Homeowners are often lured by this. It is a very attractive to homeowners to think that they can have the look of silk without paying the exorbitant prices that come with most authentic silk area rugs.
When shopping for your area rug, it is important to remember that bamboo silk is not an ideal fiber for rugs in high traffic areas, or where they are likely to encounter spills. If you do have a spill or stain on your rug, it is important to have it professionally cleaned to avoid setting the stain into the rug’s fiber.
Bamboo silk rugs are beautiful pieces of art, as beautiful as real silk rugs and often carry a hefty price tag. However, they come with many drawbacks that might make your rug difficult to live with. If you have a bamboo silk, art silk or any other kind of rayon/viscose rug with a stain, contact Bal Arisi today. We can help you assess if your rug can be cleaned or repaired.
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