With so many rug options out there, it may be hard to choose the one that’s a perfect match for your home. Expectations from the rug are quite high since it should withstand messes from kids, and be safe for the little ones. Our basic guide will provide you with tips on kid-friendly rug selection, and what to consider when buying one.
When it comes the time to choose the rug that would be friendly for our kids, there are many factors to consider apart from just the looks. You have to choose a rug that would be easy to clean, feel soft for the delicate baby feet, and withstand high foot traffic and tear. It must be pleasant to play on and crawl. There are many factors to keep in mind when getting a rug that is kid-friendly. We will cover the main of them below.
What to Consider when Choosing a Kid-friendly Rug?
- Materials
I have put this point first for a reason. Material is the most important factor you should look at when choosing any rug. Not all the materials are kid-friendly and provide a safe home environment. Some materials can be more toxic than others or can collect dust and cause allergies. The price is also an important factor when choosing the material. For example, you wouldn’t want to get a natural silk rug if you have a little one in your home. Cleaning and repairing such rugs would be a very costly process. Read on to the second part of this post to discover which materials work best for the kid-friendly home.
- Maintenance
The rugs that you choose have to be stain-resistant, easy to maintain, and clean. Moreover, the rug has to be durable. When you have kids in your home, you can expect them to be careless and clumsy – that’s what kids do. Accidents may cause a lot of spills and dirt to be dragged from outside the house. From this point of view, it pays off to get a rug that you can wash in a washing machine or using simple home solutions.
When you look at the product, check what is the cleaning method suitable for it. Can it be cleaned with non-toxic solutions? You have to be able to remove the dirt only with kid-friendly cleaning methods.
- Texture and pile
Apart from the material, it’s equally important to consider the pile of the rug. The longer the pile, the softer and warmer is the carpet, but at the same time the more difficult it is to maintain. For a home with kids, you should choose a rug with a pile from 5 to 15 mm. The denser the weave or pile of the carpet, the more durable and practical it will be. Additionally, the piles must all be of the same height.
- Age
Some parents think that it’s better to completely avoid having a rug in the home when the baby is born. Their argument is that it will be easier to clean the floor in the room and it won’t collect the dust. In a way, they are right. This may be true for the newborn baby who spends most of the time in a crib.
However, when the baby starts crawling, a safe and soft floor surface is a necessity. You have to be ready that while the baby is growing, you’ll have to adapt to the needs and maybe even change the type of rug that you have in the room. This will happen because the functions of the rug will change, and the baby will become more active and explorative.
When you have a small baby below six months, you can avoid having the rug at all. Or you can buy a rug that you like most, that is hypoallergenic and doesn’t attract the dust. At this point, you can choose a rug that would also be soundproofing and provide extra warmth to the room.
When the baby starts to crawl, the rug becomes a necessity. Floor covered with a rug will be more comfortable, warm, and safe. Delicate baby hands and feet won’t be slipping on the bare floor. Plus the rug will soften any falls.
Kids above 1.5 years old spend a lot of time on the floor, playing, running, and having fun. Make sure the rug has has anti-slip properties and won’t move easily. Make sure the edges are not crawled and the kid won’t trip.
- Safety and Preventive Measures
Safety is the number one priority when it comes to the kids. You have to make sure that the rug is not a tripping hazard for the little one. Choose a nonslip backing that will not move on the floor when you run over. Moreover, we always recommend getting a rug pad. A non-slip rug pad will make sure your rug is stable and durable.
Another safety concern is the rug piles. Make sure they don’t shred easily, and your kid won’t swallow them.
How to Choose Kid-friendly Rug Materials
When choosing the best rug for kids, consider the durability, stain resistance, and softness. From the practical point of view, the best floor cover in a home with a kid is the one that provides a compromise between comfort and durability. All rugs can be divided into two categories: natural and synthetic fibers. Each of them has pros and cons.
Natural Fibers
While natural rugs are usually more pricey, at the same time they are a great long-term investment. It will create a safe and pleasant environment for your kids for many years. When choosing the natural rug, just make sure that it doesn’t contain any toxic materials.
- Wool
We recommend going for the flat weave kid-friendly option. It’s easy to clean a wool rug, it is a universal and long-lasting material, which has good anti-spill properties. It’s very soft to touch, making a good play area. Durability and softness are the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a kid-friendly rug. The softness of the wool rug will make your kids love it and will make the rug a favorite playing space. Who doesn’t love running on a soft fluffy surface? The durability of the rug determines how long it will last in your house. Can this rug withstand the spills, rough playtime, and heavy foot traffic of us adults?
When you keep these two factors in mind, wool turns out to be the perfect material that covers all the needs. It’s a good long-term investment for many reasons. It’s hypoallergenic, doesn’t burn, naturally repels water and stains. It will spring back after you place the furniture on top of it. My personal choice is wool.
- Cotton
These rugs are very soft, and their main advantage is that they can be machine washed. However, they are recommended only for low-traffic areas, because over time these rugs change shape and break down. Cotton is a natural material, and it is hypoallergenic. Cotton rugs are available in so many shapes colors and sizes. You can easily choose the one you like.
When looking for that kid-friendly cotton rug, go for the low pile. Another great advantage of the cotton rug is that it’s cheaper than wool. It’s super easy to clean and you can put it in the washing machine. No more worries about these spills and stains. Cotton rugs are also quite soft for the kid’s feet and a great addition to the interior.
- Jute & Sisal
A good alternative to wool, these materials don’t provoke allergy. The disadvantage of such a rug is that it quickly absorbs spills, and cleaning is not always possible. This is why we recommend it only as a last resort for homes with children.
Synthetic Fibers
- Polypropylene
It is eco-friendly, cheap, and has good stain resistance. Polypropylene is the best choice for outdoor rugs because it’s very durable. For that same reason, it is a perfect solution for a home with kids. Polypropylene rug can survive high foot traffic and a lot of playtime. What else makes it perfect is water-resistant properties. It is super easy to clean and regular washing will not make the color fade away. Even if you use heavy cleaners and remove spills on a regular basis the rug will still look new.
Price is a great advantage of such a rug. They are budget-friendly and really affordable. You can find a polypropylene rug with a cute design that kids will love, picturing animals, the ocean, or their favorite cartoon character.
- Nylon
It’s known for long-lasting durability, which is good for high traffic areas, or homes with kids.
- Triexta
This material is both stain-resistant and durable.
Conclusion
A lot of things much be considered when thinking about how to choose a kid-friendly rug material. It should fit your lifestyle and be kid-friendly or even pet-friendly. In terms of endurance and efficiency of care in a home with kids, polypropylene and wool are the best picks! It’s also most practical to choose a colorful pattern and refrain from white or purely black colors. The stains on them will be less visible.