Rug Dye

Natural Dye
Natural dyes are derived from plant materials and insects such as indigo, madder, oak, sumac, pomegranate, cochineal and larkspur. Before the 1870s, they were the only source used to dye wool. Since the invention of synthetic dyes, there has been a great deal of debate about which type of dye produces a more beautiful and investment-worthy rug. Natural dyes tend to gently fade with time and therefore produce a sought after patina.

Aniline Dye
Aniline dyes are very acidic and often corrode the fibers in a rug. This type of dye was developed in the mid 1850s and is no longer used.

Acid Dye
Acid dyes are cheap to make, but the colors run.

Chrome Dyes
In the 1920s and 1930s, chrome dyes became a more reliable alternative to aniline. These synthetic dyes are more colorast and have a much wider spectrum of colors to choose from. Chrome dyes bind to the wool with potassium bicarbonate, which resists fading and does not weaken the wool. There are hundreds of chrome colors to choose from so many colors are possible that just cannot happen with natural dye.