Rugs are a great way to add visual interest and comfort to any room. But with so many rug materials to choose from, it can be tricky to select the right one.
Nylon is one of the most popular synthetic materials used to make rugs. But is it actually a good choice?
As a professional custom rugs manufacturer, I decided to do some in-depth research to find out if nylon makes for quality, durable, and easy-to-care-for rugs. Here’s what I discovered.
A Brief History of Nylon Rugs
Invented in 1935, nylon is one of the earliest and most widely-used synthetic polymers. Its initial use was in ladies’ stockings, but it soon started being used for other applications like World War II parachutes, flak jackets, and aircraft fuel tanks.
By the 1950s and 60s, manufacturers figured out ways to extrude nylon into fibers that could be woven into carpets and rugs. And the material quickly became the fiber of choice for rugs and carpets in homes and businesses.
Since those early days, nylon has only increased in popularity among rug buyers – especially with improvements in how the materials are made. Today, around half of all carpets sold are made with nylon because of its strength, durability, and stability.
Is Nylon a Good Material for Rugs?
Nylon is indeed a great rug material and is quite commonly used in the field of interior design. It is a durable synthetic fiber that easily withstands heavy foot traffic. It does not lose appearance even after years of use because the fibers resist crushing and abrasion. They can also be treated for stain resistance, which is an added feature.
There are basically two types of nylon, nylon 6 and nylon 6.6, with the latter generally having improved color retention and static resistance, but the gap has been closing with the advancement of nylon 6. In the end, nylon, besides being affordable, strong, and easy to clean, could be called essentially a textile for both residential and commercial settings.
Benefits of Choosing Nylon Rugs
So why has nylon become so ubiquitous?
Here are some of the main benefits that make nylon one of the best materials for rugs:
Durability and Longevity
Nylon is well-regarded as the most durable and long-lasting synthetic fiber for rugs. The material itself is inherently strong, resisting abrasions from foot traffic.
And advances in how nylon is spun into strands have made it even more durable through tighter twisting. This allows the nylon strands in the rug to “bounce back” from being crushed by furniture or heavy foot traffic.
The result is a rug that continues looking new despite hard use, easily lasting 10-15 years with proper care and maintenance.
Stain Resistance
Nylon does a good job of resisting stains from spills, pet accidents, and tracked-in dirt. This is thanks to protective treatments that prevent liquids and soils from being absorbed deep into the fibers.
As long as you clean any messes shortly after they occur, liquids tend to bead up on the surface of nylon strands. And you can usually remove the stain completely with some spot cleaning and patience.
Over time, it’s a good idea to reapply stain protecting treatments every year or two. But even without that, nylon performs better than most other rug fibers when it comes to resisting stains.
Appearance Retention
Given nylon’s springs-back nature and stain resistance, it does an exceptional job retaining its original vibrant look. Other rug materials like wool tend to show dirt, footprints, and pathway wear much more noticeably.
But a nylon rug continues looking clean and bright for years before signs of wear begin to set in. This makes it a perfect choice for high-traffic areas or homes with kids and pets.
Easy to Clean
Basic upkeep for a nylon rug primarily involves regular vacuuming to keep dirt from accumulating and getting ground in.
If a serious stain does occur, nylon is very easy to spot clean in most cases. Just dab the area immediately with an absorbent cloth and cleaning solution to lift the stain away before it sets.
And when it does eventually come time for a deeper cleaning, nylon rugs clean up nicely with steam cleaning or hot water extraction methods. The heat actually reconditions and restores the fibers.
Factors to Consider With Nylon Rugs
While nylon makes an excellent material for rugs in general, there are some downsides to consider depending on your specific needs:
Prone to Static Buildup
Objects like shoes and pets moving across nylon fibers can generate quite a bit of static electricity. And that static will be happily discharged into your body whenever you touch the rug!
The good news is that humidity helps dissipate static charges. So nylon rugs in basements or humid climates likely won’t spark as you walk across them.
You can also apply specialty carpet treatments to minimize static buildup. Just don’t be surprised if you get a slight zap from your nylon rug, especially in areas with dry and cold air.
Can Show Oil-Based Stains
While nylon does well resisting water-based stains, oil-based liquids like cooking grease are more problematic. That’s because molecules in the oil can form strong bonds with the nylon polymer strands.
So oil-related stains require quick action with absorbent materials and degreasing spot cleaners to prevent permanent discoloration or rings. Wiping up with just water usually makes oil stains worse.
Not as Padded as Other Rug Materials
Nylon strands tend to be springy and firm rather than soft or plushy underfoot. So if cushioning is your main priority in a rug, nylon may not be the best choice on its own.
However, nylon rugs today often have a built-in padding material as their base. Or you can select a nylon rug with a thicker pile for more squishy softness. Using a rug pad underneath also helps supplement the cushioning.
Requires More Care Than Natural Fibers
While nylon does well on durability and cleanability, it can’t quite compete with wool and other natural rug materials.
Fibers like wool and jute are inherently stain resistant without chemical treatments. And their irregular surface structure hides dirt rather than showing footprints and vacuuming marks.
So a nylon rug does require more consistent care and maintenance than a wool or cotton rug would to retain its appearance. But the trade-off is substantially better durability and abrasion resistance.
Best Uses for Nylon Rugs
Here are some of the areas and applications where a nylon rug really excels compared to other material options:
High Foot Traffic Locations
Thanks to its springy and stable structure, exceptional durability is nylon’s strongest suit. Places that see lots of footsteps day in and day out – like hallways, entryways, playrooms, and pet areas – are ideal for nylon rugs.
The material withstands all that walking and activity better than most other options. And it continues bouncing back night after night for years rather than showing crush marks, uneven wear, or balding high-traffic paths.
Spill-Prone Locations
Nylon’s next best feature is how well it resists absorbing liquids when accidents invariably happen. Places like kitchens, dining rooms, and kids’ rooms tend to see more than their fair share of spills and messes.
So a nylon rug is right at home in those locations. As long as you clean up major spills promptly, a nylon rug continues looking clean and vibrant despite lots of staining incidents over time.
Rooms with Pets
Similar to dealing with spills and kids’ messes, nylon stands up well to animal accidents. Its stain resistance keeps pet urine or vomit from being absorbed and setting into the fibers permanently.
And scratching or clawing from dogs and cats won’t easily snag, pull, or unweave nylon rug strands like it would with more delicate materials.
Of course, regular vacuuming and cleaning is important for any pet-occupied space. But nylon rugs tend to hide pet-related grime better while resisting damage animals can inflict.
Humid Locations
Unlike natural rug materials, humidity and dampness won’t lead to mildew or musty smells with a nylon rug. That makes it a great option for basements and laundry rooms that struggle to stay dry.
Just avoid submerging a nylon rug fully underwater or letting puddles sit for prolonged periods. The material can’t resist moisture absorption forever.
Maintaining a Nylon Rug
To keep a nylon rug looking its best for years to come, follow these care and maintenance tips:
- Vacuum frequently – Go over high-traffic nylon rugs at least twice per week to suck up dirt before it gets ground in. For lightly-used nylon rugs, aim to vacuum them every week or two.
- Deal with stains immediately – As soon as a spill or accident happens on your nylon rug, blot the area firmly with absorbent cloths to wick as much liquid away as possible. Then spot treat with an appropriate stain remover for that type of mess.
- Professional deep clean annually – Arrange for professional hot water extraction cleaning of wall-to-wall nylon carpeting once a year. For loose nylon rugs, take them outside and clean thoroughly with a pressure washer annually. Allow them to dry completely before putting back into use.
- Consider restorative treatments – Reapplying stain resistance treatments or anti-static finishes every year or two will help a nylon rug maintain that “like new” look as it ages.
- Check backing for damage – Regularly flip a nylon rug over to inspect the backing material for any damage or signs of wear. Patching or reinforcing weaknesses early on prolongs the usable life.
So while it takes a modest level of care, a quality nylon rug is worth that small extra effort. Follow those maintenance steps routinely and your nylon rug will likely still look fantastic for over a decade, even with pets and kids!
Bottom Line
Nylon makes an excellent choice for rugs in the right applications, thanks to its durability, longevity, appearance retention and ability to resist liquids. It requires more care and maintenance than natural rug fibers, but repays your efforts with better performance over years of heavy use.
If your home or office sees a lot of footsteps around eating and drinking, nylon is arguably the ideal rug material. And it works in damp basements where mildew would ruin other options.
Just keep on top of vacuuming duties, treat stains promptly, and get regular professional cleanings. Do that and you can expect a nylon area rug or wall-to-wall carpeting to look fantastic for 10 to 15 years despite whatever your family can throw at it!
So for many homes or businesses needing a versatile, heavy duty rug, nylon is undoubtedly a great material option.