Alpaca Rugs and Alpaca Area Rugs

Alpaca rugs must be one of the finest rugs that you can own in the world. It has consistently been one of the most favored materials by elite decorators and interior designers. Alpaca rugs come from alpacas, native animals from Peru that have been distinguished as one of the rarest living mammals together with llamas. They are commonly grown and grazed upon the Andes Mountain of South America.

What makes the alpaca rug one of the most luxurious rug fibers in the world is its ultra soft and fluffy texture. The softness and smoothness of alpaca fibers make you want to wrap yourself in it. Because alpaca rugs are adorable additions to any home, the demand for alpaca is always high. The most typical places where alpaca rugs can be seen are on bedroom and living room floors where they beautifully accentuate any floor. Although I would have to admit that they look best on top of hardwood flooring. Alpaca rugs come in different designs and patterns and can even be hung on walls! The most common color of alpaca rugs is white, but thanks to creative manufacturing other colors like brown, black, and tan are also now available. Today, even more colors and different tones of alpaca are available although these products have been probably combined with synthetic forms of alpaca fiber.

The only disadvantage that I can say of alpaca rugs is that they are expensive and can be hard to find. There aren’t too many alpacas that supply this in demand product. I must say, though, that placing alpaca rugs in your home is really worth the investment.

Alpaca Fiber Properties

• Alpaca fibers are naturally hollow and light.

The alpaca fiber is lighter than other rug materials like wool because air is trapped inside its fibers which also has the effect of providing additional warmth. Alpaca fibers are so unique that it is hard to find synthetic alpacas that look like the authentic ones.

• Alpacas have moisture and wicking properties.

You probably read ‘moisture wicking’ a lot in sports or outdoor shops. These are two properties of alpaca fibers. The moisture absorbing property means that it can soak up moisture as much as it can. Consequently, wicking means the fiber can carry out and transport moisture away from the source and keep it at its edge where it can gradually evaporate. The tandem of these two alpaca fibers allow it to provide more warmth and comfort than other fabrics like wool and cotton. Note that cotton and wool are absorbent but they do not have the same wicking properties as alpaca.

• Alpaca fibers are hypoallergenic and caring to sensitive skin.

Alpaca rugs are safe for sensitive skin since there is no chemical or lanolin involved in the manufacturing process. Its softness and smoothness won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin type. Its softness and smoothness is undoubtedly superior to wool. See for yourself; use a microscope and examine the two fibers. Alpaca fibers appear smooth while wool fibers look rough.

Alpaca Rug Maintenance

Like any kind of carpet, alpaca rugs also require proper cleaning and maintenance. Alpaca rugs have a natural advantage in terms of cleaning in that they hardly attract tough dirt and stains due to its innate oily property that repels almost any stain. You can even use baby powder or corn starch and a household cleaning brush to remove some stains. If you aren’t too sure about cleaning a stain on your alpaca, you can always call for professional help.

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