The Charm and Appeal of the Wool Rug
Barb Anderson

Defined Tag: Wool Rug.

Few things can compare with the delightful charm and rustic appeal of the wool rug. They are more durable than you might think, able to hold up under moderate to heavy traffic, and to keep their shape under more abuse than you might think.

A wool rug should always be brushed or shaken clean, never washed, as washing may cause the wool to shrink or distort out of shape. Avoid placing them in areas that are likely to collect large amounts of dirt; by the door to the backyard, for example, is *not* a good place if that door is a walk through for kids playing in the dirt, dads mowing the lawn, or any other dirty activities. Keep a wool rug confined to places where the worst of the outside dirt has already been shaken off, and you may extend the life of your rug for several years. You'll certainly keep it looking clean and new much, much longer.

The true joy of the wool rug, of course, apart from the delightful charm it lends to your living room or office or den, is their delightful softness. Wool is often blended with sisal or another tough natural fiber, and both the wool and the sisal benefit from the arrangement. Wool is even more durable when blended with sisal, and the wool's incredible softness tones down the hard, lumpy qualities of the tough sisal.

These rugs are especially desirable in winter, when their natural insulative properties add warmth to floors that might otherwise be too cold. They are *especially* desirable for rooms standing over a garage or other area that has a tendency to suck cold in and hold it there.

These rugs are soft. They're warm. They're tough enough to stand up to heavy traffic, yet gentle enough to caress bare feet. You won't find a better material for your next area rug than wool, unless it be a wool and sisal blend. A wool rug is perfect.

Barb Anderson has edited or written numerous articles for family-oriented ezines and sites on the worldwide web. Barb is Editor of the Power Learning Tips and Tricks newsletter, which is available at:
http://MastermindLearningSystem.com.