boiled wool rug
What could be more inviting than a soft, warm wool rug under your feet? Whether you're looking for a traditional rug to add character to your décor or something a little more modern, boiled wool rugs are a great alternative to traditional chunky wool rugs. Let me try and convince you!
Among wool rugs, there are of course the Beniouara rugs, the Azilal rugs, and the Boujaad rugs. All are hand-knotted wool rugs. But there is another family of rugs that also holds a special place in our hearts, and which I would like to discuss with you here: boiled wool rugs.
What is boiled wool?
It's a fabric made from 100% wool that has undergone a shrinking process. The wool is first spun, then immersed in boiling water. The heat and agitation of the water cause the fibers to contract, making the wool yarn more compact and denser. It is then often fulled to give it even more density. Fulling is a process that also uses hot water and agitation to make the fibers interlock even more tightly.
Boiled wool yarn is very dense, compact, and strong. It does not fray easily and maintains its dimensions over time.
It is this resistance and density that allow for the weaving of beautiful carpets with patterns that can be complex, with excellent thermal insulation provided by the wool but remaining quite thin.
What is a boiled wool rug?
A boiled wool rug is a rug woven from boiled wool yarns.
Boiling water shrinks the wool, making it denser and more compact. The fibers then interlock, making the rug more durable and providing better thermal insulation. Unlike knotted rugs, boiled wool rugs are woven on large looms. The resulting kilims are thinner than knotted rugs. While still a rug, it is actually closer to tapestry techniques. This weaving technique, using fine and strong wool yarns, already existed in the Middle Ages and allows for complex and realistic designs. One only has to look at the famous Lisieux tapestries.
Eastern European countries, and Moldova in particular, have traditionally been major producers of Moldovan boiled wool rugs . But Moroccan kilims and zanafi rugs are also examples of Moroccan boiled wool rugs .
Why choose a boiled wool rug?
- They stay warm and feel pleasant under bare feet
- They don't fray easily
- The patterns can be very complex
They are thin and easy to care for because they are very durable.
- They are excellent for thermal insulation
Wool dyeing for carpets
Wool dyeing is an ancient and delicate art. Fixing a natural dye to a wool yarn that was originally white remains a technical challenge that still fascinates chemists in the textile industry today. Dyeing wool carpets is an art that dates back to the origins of carpet weaving. Even using traditional natural dyeing techniques, an infinite variety of shades can be achieved.
Regardless of the color—indigo, saffron yellow, carmine, cuttlefish ink black—the wool dyeing process is long and delicate. The list of ingredients is practically endless, and each traditional technique has its own history. This will surely be the subject of an upcoming article on carpet dyeing.
A boiled wool rug should not fade, either from use or washing.
Smell of boiled wool
When it isn't boiled, wool, especially handcrafted wool, can have a characteristic odor, and some people find it unpleasant if it's a bit strong or overpowering. This is normal; it's the smell of lanolin, a natural grease secreted by sheep to protect their fleece from the elements. This grease is what gives wool its exceptional qualities: water resistance, elasticity, and so on. In most cases, this odor is imperceptible to us humans. But it's this very smell that makes our pets unfailingly attracted to wool rugs. The odor will gradually disappear with use and airing of the rug.
The lanolin content of wool decreases considerably during the boiling process. Boiled wool is also odorless. However, I suspect that a trace of lanolin remains because animals are still attracted to boiled wool rugs.
How do I care for my boiled wool rug?
A boiled wool rug requires no special maintenance. Simply vacuum it regularly and, if possible, stretch it out and beat it once a month.
The advantage of a boiled wool rug is that it is very durable.
It would be possible to machine wash a boiled wool rug . However, these rugs are generally large and not well-suited to our smaller washing machines. Steam cleaning, on the other hand, is perfectly feasible.