The benefits of natural fibre flooring

Carpets made from natural fibres are popular because they are harvested from nature rather than being synthetic.

Synthetic polypropylene and nylon carpets are long lasting and cost-effective, but many consumers prefer carpets made from more natural materials that are manufactured using fewer chemicals. Natural fibres are biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly.

Natural fibres include wool, cotton, silk, jute and sisal. Wool is luxurious, practical and has insulating properties. Wool is an ancient fibre that has been used for over 11,000 years. Wool has health benefits as it absorbs allergens and fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Cotton is another natural fibre that has been used for thousands of years. Cotton is soft and strong and is dyed in many colours. Cotton carpets and rugs are not expensive. Cotton is often mixed with other natural fibres in carpets. Some small cotton rugs can be machine washed.

Jute comes from a plant grown in high humidity tropical areas. It requires little or no fertilizers and pesticides to grow commercially so is very eco-friendly. Jute flooring has a natural look or can be dyed for a splash of colour.

Sisal is made from the leaves of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal carpets are coarse and exceptionally durable. They are ideal for outdoor spaces and high traffic areas. They absorb dyes well and are available in many colours.

When choosing carpets for the Chester and North Wales home, consider ones made from natural fibres for their looks and practicality.

Wild clashing patterns and colours are still alive

Whilst some people want calm neutral colours and minimal design, others are inspired by past times when carpets had bold, wild patterns in bright colours.

In the 1950s and 1960s, many homes had a whirlwind of clashing patterns in their rooms. People did not care if their pattern wallpaper did not match the carpet. In recent years there has been a design trend of minimalist plain colours that complement each other. After a trend is established, there is an inevitable backlash against it. Clashing wild patterns could be a movement against minimalism.

The property editor of Wales Online, Joanne Ridout, has discovered that the wild clashing pattern design trend is still alive. She found a terrace house in Porthcawl, Wales which feature a riot of clashing patterns. Wallpaper, carpet and curtain patterns are all different bright colours and patterns. Not all walls had the same pattern. She describes the house as:

“A feast for the eyes for anyone who loves genuine retro décor.”

Wild wallpaper and crazy carpets are not to everyone’s taste. The Porthcawl house is for sale at £225,000 and is expected to appeal to some buyers, or to those who will quickly replace the carpets, curtains, and wallpaper with more subdued designs.

Homeowners baying carpets for their Chester, Wrexham or North Wales property have a wide range of patterns and colours to choose from. Whether you prefer plain-coloured subdued colour carpets or bright striking patterns, there’s a carpet to suit your taste.

What’s the best flooring for your feet and joints?

One thing that a lot of people do not really think about when choosing flooring is how it will affect their feet and joints. Walking on hard floor surfaces causes lower body stress that can have real physical effects over time.

It is precisely because it is a longer-term issue that it is so often neglected during the floor consideration process. If you will be walking or standing on the floor a lot though, it is something to bear in mind.

These are the surfaces that will be best for protecting your joints and feet.

Carpeting

Installing carpeting in rooms that you will have to walk or stand in a lot is the best choice to protect joints and feet. Carpeting softens the floor surface, which reduces the impact on the lower body as you walk about on it.

It is important to make sure the carpets that you install come fitted with some thick padding on the underside of them though. That is particularly true if they are going on top of very hard surfaces like concrete. This padding will be needed to provide further protection and absorb the shocks that can lead to conditions like plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament that leads to pain through the feet.

Vinyl

Vinyl can be another very good choice for preventing foot and joint problems. It will be an effective flooring selection in rooms where carpets are unsuitable due to the potential for water damage. Examples of that include a bathroom or kitchen in the home, or a commercial kitchen in a business.

Again though, the vinyl should come with a good quality shock-absorbing underlay. Either cork or felt will work very well for that and will be vital if the floor beneath is made of something hard like stone or concrete.

Rubber

This is a less well-known floor choice, but can sometimes be found in places like garages. It is now starting to become popular for commercial kitchen floors where people are walking about constantly, due to its durability and the foot and joint protection that it provides.

Cork

Cork is another decent choice. It typically has a springy feel when you walk on it that is gentle on the feet and joints.

Overall, carpeting with underlay is the best choice where possible, but any of these flooring selections will protect feet and joints.

Can carpets improve your health?

David Neishabori, the owner of AZADI Fine Rugs, says that carpets and rugs can elevate your health and spirits.

There is some evidence that the colours in a room affect your mood. Colour therapists claim that blue is a relaxing colour, green is the colour of nature that helps relieve stress, and yellow makes you feel happier and more optimistic. A key colour element in the room is the carpet. It’s important to choose a carpet that suits your personality.

Whether you prefer a more traditional style or a contemporary look, start with the carpet when changing the room décor.

David Neishabori says:

"Studies have shown that walking on hard surfaces can be hard on your feet and your back."

A soft deep pile carpet takes the pressure off the back.

Carpets can absorb dust and allergens that affect the quality of the air in a room. To keep a carpet clean, vacuum regularly, wipe up spills promptly and hire a professional carpet cleaner at least once a year to deep clean the carpet.

Carpets have insulating properties, helping keep the room warm and saving on energy bills. They absorb noise, making the room quieter and feel more relaxed.

Good quality wool carpets are friendly to the environment, as well as your health. They are made from a natural material that can be recycled.

Most people choose carpets for their Wrexham home for how they look and feel, but it's good to know that carpets could be good for your health.

The three ingredients needed to freshen up deep pile carpets

A cleaning expert has demonstrated how she uses three simple ingredients to freshen up a deep pile carpet without scrubbing.

People love deep pile carpets in their Chester and North Wales homes because they add a luxurious, warm and cosy feel to a room. The downside of deep pile carpets is that debris and bacteria can become trapped in the fibres and cause unpleasant odours.

A cleaning expert has come up with a simple solution to freshen up carpets. A user who goes under the name of @washy-wash-cleantok uploaded a video to Instagram of this cleaning method. One cup of baking soda is mixed with four drops of lavender essential oil and two teaspoons of dried herbs. The mixture is sprinkled on the deep pile carpet and left for ten to fifteen minutes before removing it with a vacuum cleaner. The carpet is left clean with a fresh pleasant long-lasting fragrance. This method requires no scrubbing.

This solution is also suitable for rugs and shorter pile carpets.

A quality deep pile rug is durable and is expected to last for many years, provided it is well-maintained. Ideally, vacuum at least once a day. Any spills or stains should be promptly removed. The regular use of Carpet freshening powders such as Shake N’ Vac or homemade mixtures is recommended. To make sure that all bacteria and debris trapped in the carpet are removed, once a year or more frequently, hire a professional carpet cleaner to thoroughly deep clean the carpet.