Are Polypropylene rugs safe for babies?
In other words, what type of rugs are safe for babies?
In this blog post, we are going to talk about the three things below;
One, we are going to establish polypropylene rugs pros and cons so that we can come to the conclusion of whether the bad outweighs the good. This will eventually help us answer the question, are polypropylene rugs safe?
Two, I am going to give you a summary of the best non toxic rugs for babies often known as nursery rugs.
Finally, I am going to tell you why I recommend you buy a wool rug instead of a polypropylene rug when it comes to babies.
Are Polypropylene Rugs Safe?
Pros
Polypropylene rugs are flame retardants, which means they will not catch fire, melt, or become heated too fast making it safer.
Budget-wise, Polypropylene rugs are pocket-friendly because they come in a wide range of options to meet most buyers’ preferences.
Polypropylene rugs mostly have low pile weaves and low-density weight, which makes them easy to clean and lightweight to move around.
Polypropylene rugs are moisture-resistant, which makes them ideal for outdoor spaces since they can withstand the development of pungent smells caused by mold, mildew, and rug moths.
Cons
Polypropylene rugs are treated with chemicals to make them colorfast, stain-resistant, flame retardants, and well backed.
These chemicals can easily release toxic elements like VOCs and PBDEs, which can harm your baby.
Polypropylene is the least resilient synthetic fiber which means it will show wear and tear fast.
This means it will get matted easily and it will become dull faster if you use it in high-traffic areas or in homes with many kids, house guests, or pets.
Yes, Polypropylene is stain resistant to water-based stains, but not resistant to oil-based stains so you might want to avoid it will crawling babies or pets who pee on rugs.
Verdict
Polypropylene has several health risks like off-gassing which makes people question if this rug material is safe for babies or not.
At the end of the day, polypropylene rugs are synthetically made. This is the reason we recommend we go for a safer natural choice like wool rugs.
Recommended
#1 Unique Loom Solo Solid Shag Collection
Pile: This rug is made from 100% polypyrene with a jute backing to increase its durability and help in keeping the rug in place to improve security in your home.
Non-shedding: This will keep your home clean, make cleaning easy, and makes the rug ideal for allergy sufferers.
Easy to clean: Since this is a low pile rug, spot cleaning will solve most cleaning needs. You can also vacuum it from time to time.
Pattern: This rug has a traditional pattern that will easily blend well with any home décor design, especially neutral ones.
#2 SAFAVIEH California Premium Shag Collection
Reputable brand: Safavieh is the leading company known for producing high-quality Shad rugs.
High reviews: It has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon yet it’s reviewed by more than 12,000 customers who have bought this rug.
Plush texture: If you looking for something cozy, soft, luxurious, and thick.
Resistant to many things like shedding, stains, and moisture making it more durable and friendly in homes with pests, small babies and allergy suffers.
High-end style: It features both a modern and traditional design to complement many home décor choices.
Versatile: It can be used in almost any space in your home like the living room, bedroom, dining room, and home office among others.
Color and size: It comes in a wide variety to meet the needs of almost every client.
Material: Its made from 100% polypropylene material which is one of the most recommended rug materials, especially for outdoor spaces.
Safe Non Toxic Rugs For Babies
Wool
Wool is the safest rug material, especially for crawling babies since it is soft, hypo-allergenic, durable, flame retardant, and resilient.
Cotton
Cotton material is breathable which means it will not dry out your baby’s skin, thus, eliminating skin rashes and irritation. They are also soft and lightweight.
Acrylic
Acrylic rugs are very beautiful and appealing to the eye, a feature that will trigger a newborn’s imagination and learning. They are also soft and moth-proof.
Jute
Jute is a natural fiber which means it’s not treated with chemicals making it both environmentally and health-wise safe for your little one.
Polyester
Polyester is very soft and cozy which will make your baby more comfortable. It’s also stain-resistant and durable making it an ideal choice for messy kids.
Why Choose Wool Over Polypropylene?
Natural vs Synthetic
Wool is a type of natural fiber rug made from hand-weaving by skilled artisans who tie together many knots to form a pattern.
Sisal, Jute, and Seagrass are other examples of natural rug fibers.
Polypropylene is a synthetic rug fiber.
Nylon, Polyester, and Acrylic are other examples of synthetic fibers.
Polypropylene is also called olefin, and it is made from petroleum, which is a plastic manufactured in the lab.
It’s then sent over to rug manufacturing companies who make hand-tufted or machine-made polypropylene rugs out of it.
Since a wool rug is hand-made, it takes the craftsman 3-4 months to complete one piece.
It will take less than a day to make a polypropylene rug since they are machine-made.
That explains why wool rugs tend to be more expensive. Polypropylene rugs are more common because they are affordable and cheaper for many people.
Cleaning
A polypropylene rug needs to be vacuumed every two days to keep it looking fresh.
A wool rug can be vacuumed every 1-3 weeks since they never age easily, they camouflage dust, and you do not want to damage their fibers by too much cleaning.
Spot cleaning with a damp cloth will easily take off stains from both rug materials.
Wool tends to trap pet hair, dust, and dirt into its fibers than Polypropylene rugs because the hand-woven knots form pockets.
One downside of Polypropylene rugs is that they are not resistant to oil-based stains.
Wool is hydrophobic which means it repels water making it an ideal choice if you need a water-resistant rug material for the rain, pool areas, or entrances.
Polypropylene is also non-porous which means it will not hold odors and rug smell from mildew, pet stool, cigarette, and other sources.
You might need this guide on how to clean rugs and get smells out of them.
A rug used with babies must be cleaned all the time to keep away germs and any allergic pathogens likely to cause any allergic reactions or infections.
Check out this polypropylene rug cleaning guide to know how you can properly remove stains and toughly clean such rugs.
Design
Wool rugs are made by highly experienced craftsmen with many years of experience.
This is the reason why such rugs have more complex details and designs.
Due to the use of a wide variety of textile dyes, Polypropylene rugs are available in a wide variety of colors.
In terms of texture, wool rugs are softer to touch and always remain that way.
On the hand, a new polypropylene rug will feel extremely soft but that will wear away, with time it will start to feel rough.
When it comes to the backing, wool rugs have a soft backing which makes them an ideal choice for hardwood flooring.
Polypropylene rugs, on the other hand, are mostly made from a plastic backing which will end up scratching your wood floors if you do not use the right rug pad for hardwood floors.
Safety
Wool has three properties below which make it leading in this category;
It’s a flame retardant that will self-extinguish in case it catches fire. I will also self-cool when exposed to high temperatures like direct sunlight.
It’s made from natural materials which are environmentally friendly making it one of the best non-toxic rugs.
It’s hypo-allergenic, making it the best choice of rug for allergy suffers.
Polypropylene on the other hand will burn and melt when exposed to high heat.
Special chemicals like Scotch-guard must be used during its manufacture to make it flame retardant.
The use of chemicals during the manufacture of Polypropylene rugs makes it less safe due to the release of VOCs. Read this guide on is polypropylene safe to get tips on distinguishing safe rugs from toxic ones.
A rug with any form of folds can be very dangerous to babies since it may cause them to slip and fall.
If your polypropylene rug tends to fold, wrinkle, bend, ripple, or form any types of bumps, bents, and bunching up motions, you can check out the two guides below;
- How to get creases out of polypropylene rug that has been folded.
- The best thing to keep a rug in place is if it keeps moving, curling, bumping, or folding up.
Lifespan
Wool rugs tend to be more durable and resilient to high foot traffic. Such a rug can serve you for more than 50 years as long as you professionally clean it.
A polypropylene rug will serve you for up to 5 years, but you must remember it will tend to change and matter down as it ages and wears. That means such rugs are less resilient.
FAQs
Are polypropylene rugs safe?
Polypropylene rugs are generally considered safe for use. They are made from a synthetic material known as polypropylene, which is resistant to stains, moisture, and fading. However, it is always advisable to check for any specific safety certifications or recommendations from the manufacturer before using them in a particular setting.
Is polypropylene rug safe for babies?
Polypropylene rugs can be a safe option for babies. The material is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, making it less likely to cause allergic reactions or harm sensitive skin. However, it is still essential to ensure proper ventilation and cleanliness of the rug to maintain a healthy environment for the baby.
Is polypropylene good for rugs?
Polypropylene is a popular choice for rugs due to its durability and staining resistance. It is known to be a cost-effective and low-maintenance option, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. However, it is worth noting that polypropylene rugs may not have the same luxurious feel as natural fiber rugs and may not be as suitable for certain decor styles.
Are Polypropylene Rugs Safe For Babies?
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