BROADLOOM CARPET
Organic Weave of India, in conjunction with Blessed Earth of Australia, have just released
the world’s first GOTS certified broadloom carpet.
The carpet uses a certified organic jute backing, which is fixed by a low VOC, GOTS compliant FSC latex adhesive.
Not only that, this broadloom carpet is unique in that it is woven by hand.
The ancient craft of making carpet on hand looms has largely been superseded by machine loom carpets in the last 50 years or so.
They are faster; more economical and ideally suited to the synthetic yarns that now comprise 90% of the world’s broadloom carpet.
This is probably just as well as it would be impossible to cater for the world broadloom demand in natural fibres like cotton and wool.
However the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of commercial expedience at the expense of the consumer’s best interests.
The broadloom carpets of today are homogenised and lacking in individuality and life-force; devoid of creative expression.
What is little understood is that the natural process of a craftsman transforming a fibre into a work of art is severed with the use of machine looms. The consumer is reduced to having to select on the basis of price and colour. What was once a joyful selection involving
an appreciation of craftsmanship, has been reduced to finding something that will fill a need.
The importance of preserving the integrity of the organic cotton, wool and silk fibres, with minimal mechanical intervention,
cannot be over-emphasised. The difference in feel is unmistakeable.
In another world first, Blessed Earth can now offer silk broadloom carpet, which also happens to be certified organic.
Underlay? - It doesn’t make sense to use a toxic underlay under an organic carpet.
Blessed Earth can now offer a GOTS certified jute underlay.
Organic Weave broadloom carpets are as close to Nature as one can get, while still offering many years of excellent service.
Each carpet carries the vibration of the craftsman who created it. It is an individual, not a machine made commodity.
There are a number of relatively natural substances that can be used in the pile of a carpet.
As of today, only 3 are capable of organic certification. Wool, Cotton and Silk.
WOOL
Wool is a durable natural material with a luxurious feel. Plus, it repels liquid spills and dirt due to the structure of the fibres. However, because wool can't be treated for stain resistance, spills need to be cleaned immediately. Wool has excellent soil hiding capabilities. It resists crushing and is abrasion resistant. The luxurious colors of wool area rugs stand out in contrast to synthetic imitations. Wool is also naturally flame resistant. Wool rugs are a prime choice for high traffic areas, such as living rooms and hallways, or spill-prone spaces, such as dining rooms.
Each wool fibre has a three dimensional spiralling α-helix that gives it natural elasticity. This elasticity means a wool fibre can stretch up to 30% more than its original length and bounce back. For that reason wool carpets will increase the comfort of walking. In addition pressure marks left by furniture compression on wool carpets will restore by itself. Wool’s natural crimp provides greater insulation, allowing wool carpets to protect you from temperature extremes.
Wool carpet is naturally resilient; hard wearing and long lasting; retains its pile shape and height; is flame resistant and also resists dirt and stains.
Wool carpet is naturally comfortable, provides natural thermal and sound insulation; and regulates air moisture content.
Organic Weave also offer “village wool”. This is wool grown by villagers who know nothing of organics and farm as their ancestors have done for centuries, without the need for chemicals. This wool is generally multi-coloured and clips are grouped together to afford interesting blends and patterns.
COTTON
Cotton can mostly be found in specialty area rugs. Cotton is hypoallergenic meaning it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies. It is also good for asthmatics.
The ends of cotton fibers are spun very tightly into the yarn so that the product doesn’t irritate skin or cause static electricity. Cotton is long lasting if well looked after. It is a good conductor of heat. In other words, it draws heat away from your skin to keep you cool, making it comfortable to wear. It absorbs moisture easily and can take up to one fifth of its weight in water before it actually feels damp.
The advantages of cotton are that the fibers are very soft and strong and have excellent colour dye acceptance which again is ideal for area rugs. Cotton carpet, like cotton clothing, wears well and has a natural feel. Cotton rugs are a popular selection for kitchens because smaller sizes can be easily washed. Your cotton rug is completely bio-degradable.
SILK
Organic silk (also known as raw silk) is created without the use of any chemicals or treatments using insecticides, pesticides or the synthetic additives often used by some silk suppliers to provide additional softness to their silk fabrics. It is created by the protein secretions of silkworms which solidify to create the cocoon fibres. It is most often produced in small villages by indigenous people and is the choice for the purest silk. It is a highly sustainable crop with cocoons being produced when the silkworms are about 35 days old. The silkworms are allowed to live out their full lives and die naturally.
In the case of conventional silk, chemicals are routinely used to strip the waxy film off the wool fibres. This is not allowed with organic silk and special labour-intensive measures are employed to do this – they are generally kept secret by the user. “Raw silk” for this reason is not as shiny as conventional silk.
Nonetheless carpets made from organic silk have a luxurious feel. Silk is a natural protein fiber and is usually mixed with other rug fabrics to produce a unique softness and shine. Silk’s distinctive structure refracts light at different angles which gives it a shimmering appearance. The production process can be difficult and very time-consuming. Because of this, even the smallest addition of silk can increase a rug's cost. The benefits of silk are that it is very soft, strong and has a beautiful lustre.
Design your own carpets and rugs.........
Allow around twelve weeks from the time you order for delivery to your door....of an all natural hand made rug or home wall to wall carpet.