If we focus our “living well” thoughts on home, we discover an enduring appreciation for health, happiness and comfort. Creating a home we feel good about requires the use of materials that promote these values and improve our indoor –– and outdoor –– environment.

Because a large percentage of a home’s space is devoted to the floor, material choice can make a big difference. We all want floor coverings that look good; that’s a given. But what happens when we look beyond color, pattern and texture? Is there more to carpet than meets the eye?

The materials used to make carpets and rugs can be divided into two categories, natural and man-made (synthetic). Some of the most common natural fibers include wool, silk, cotton, jute, coir and sisal. Natural materials are renewable, meaning they can be produced over and over again without depleting the Earth’s resources.

Mother Nature really outdid herself when it came to wool. Though it has been around for centuries, wool continues to amaze us with its benefits –– many of which man has yet to replicate. Wool is a natural fiber that embraces our lives, and the only one that can clothe, protect, comfort and inspire us to live well. Wool, the most popular natural fiber used in carpets and rugs, is produced from a totally renewable resource –– grass –– and is thus environmentally sound.

We are familiar with the many colors and patterns available in wool sweaters, pants and suits, but may not know that the beauty of wool can be translated to the floor. Wool’s luster, color, dyeing characteristics and versatility make it one of the most luxurious –– and sought after –– carpet and rug fibers.
Additionally, wool is as beautiful inside as it is out. The wool shorn from the sheep is completely natural. It is composed entirely of amino acids, the building blocks of life. As such, it boasts many natural qualities that support health and well-being.

When wool carpet is installed in a home, it works to improve air quality by absorbing common contaminants, such as formaldehyde (a common pollutant emitted by building materials), nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, by binding the gases irreversibly in its structure. It also creates a more balanced environment by absorbing vapor from the air in humid conditions and then releasing it when the atmosphere becomes dry.

Safety is another inherent quality of wool. The high moisture content of the fiber, along with wool’s protein constituents, gives wool carpet excellent flame resistance. The wool fiber will not support combustion; therefore, wool is difficult to ignite and is self-extinguishable. If an ember from a fireplace falls on wool, the carpet may char, yet the residue can be easily brushed away without disfiguring the carpet. Thus, as well as being extremely safe, wool carpets retain their appearance even after minor burn damage.

Some people, having experienced itchiness from a wool sweater, think they are allergic to wool. What appears to be an allergic reaction is simply the “tickle and prickle” of the wool fibers when worn close to the skin. This effect is similar to the itchiness felt after getting a haircut. The cut hairs may be irritating, but none of us are allergic to our own hair. The truth is, wool is a nonallergenic fiber and does not promote the growth of bacteria or dust mites or give off harmful emissions. In fact, wool carpet minimizes allergic reactions because it is able to hold dust in its structure until it is removed by vacuum (or wet) cleaning. Because wool is too long and too coarse to be inhaled, it does not affect asthma sufferers. As far as dust mites are concerned, wool carpet is a hostile environment, providing none of the conditions they require to thrive.

It is unfortunate when misconceptions about wool prevent people from experiencing its many benefits. Studies show that those who buy wool tend to purchase it again –– and again. Not only because it is beautiful and easy to clean, but because it positively affects the comfort of the entire home. Those with wool feel a little safer and breathe a little easier, not to mention the fact that they contribute a little more to the sustainability of our planet.