Buy responsibly — viscose, also known as artificial silk, may supposedly be made from natural materials, but it has nothing to do with nature. Quite the opposite.
Is it really worth buying a viscose carpet?
Yes, they are popular all over the world, very pleasant to the touch at the moment of purchase, available in a wide range of colors and rich designs, from traditional to modern.
But is it really worth buying a viscose carpet? Viscose fibers are made from cellulose. And that is true! However, no seller will tell you that viscose fibers are produced through the chemical processing of cellulose.
The production process and chemicals hidden in the fibers
Viscose therefore comes from a natural material, but its production requires many very dangerous chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. As a result, only an intermediate product is formed: sodium cellulose xanthate. This semi-finished product is dissolved in a sodium hydroxide solution, producing viscose in a form resembling honey.
Liquid viscose is forced through a nozzle with micro-holes immersed in a sulfuric acid solution. In the acid solution, viscose coagulates and insoluble viscose fibers are formed. And if that were not enough, I should add that this process also produces a by-product: sodium sulfate. The entire process contributes to water and air pollution and creates a real threat to the health and lives of workers — hundreds of cases of illness and death among people working in viscose production have been proven.
Problematic cleaning and care
However, sellers maintain that viscose carpets are produced from high-quality natural fibers and that cleaning them is not complicated. They recommend regular vacuuming in the proper direction, without using a brush. In my opinion, this is not true.
What is true, however, is that a viscose carpet after water washing — even when done by the best specialist — will never look the same as it did after purchase. The washing, drying, and final finishing process of a viscose carpet, also known as artificial silk, is complicated and very time-consuming. That is why many carpet laundries charge an additional fee for washing them or refuse to perform the service.
WARNING! Traps for unaware customers
Because a viscose carpet resembles a silk carpet, dishonest sellers often take advantage of this. That is why we warn against buying SILK CARPETS while on holiday in countries of the so-called Middle East, where you can supposedly buy a silk carpet with a certificate for USD 1,000–2,000, while its real value ranges between PLN 150 and 200.
Now judge for yourselves whether it is worth buying a viscose carpet, also called artificial silk (rayon), banana silk, or even Art. Silk — read: artificial silk. Even Americans and the British are fooled by this last term.
Michał Miłowski
