Natural Fibers

Carpet information

Carpets can be made from several natural materials such as wool, cotton, jute, and even bamboo and silk. This page discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Basic types

There are two basic types of natural fiber—plant and animal. Together, they comprise about one-third of the total mill fiber consumption (see the Atkrin Textile Information Center), while manufactured, fibers comprise the remainder. Manufactured fibers include but cellulosic fibers derived from plants (typically made from wood pulp) and synthetic fibers (typically derived from petroleum).

Plant Fiber

Plant fiber is cellulosic. This means it is made of a material called cellulose that is widely used in a variety of products: clothing, interior living space products such as draperies, rugs, sheets, and towels, and in a less idyllic application, cigarette filters.

Cellulose is one of many polymers found in nature. Wood, paper, and cotton all contain cellulose in the walls of the plant cells. Cellulose is an excellent fiber. Wood, cotton, jute, and hemp rope are all made of fibrous cellulose.

Animal Fiber

Animal fiber is made of protein, another polymer. The predominant animal fibers are wool and silk, which are used extensively in apparel and see limited application in carpeting. See animal fibers.

Wool on the hoof at Atlantic Village, a theme park in the UK.

Basic Carpet Materials — Natural

Natural Fibers

Residential & Industrial Cleaning Co.

Carpet Cleaning Specialists Since 1988

Phone: 877-209-6117 (toll free in the US)

704-821-1233

704-261-1233

E-mail: CustomerService@ricinc.net