Silk Rugs: Your Questions Answered

A companion Q&A to our guide on silk rug scams. Fast answers to what buyers ask before spending thousands on a “silk” rug.

Is bamboo silk real silk?

No. Bamboo silk is fake silk. Real silk comes from silkworms. Bamboo silk is a regenerated cellulose fiber made from heavily chemically processed wood pulp, the same family as viscose and rayon. The word “silk” in the name often makes buyers assume it is the real thing, but it is not.

What are the other names for fake silk in rugs?

Fake silk goes by many names that sound nicer than “artificial.” Watch for: viscose, rayon, art silk, bamboo silk, banana silk, modal silk, and brand names like Luxcelle, Silkette, Tencel, and Lyocel. In Morocco you may also hear “cactus silk.” All of these are regenerated cellulose, not real silk. Some perform better than others. As with all fibers, quality can vary.

How can I tell if a silk rug is real or fake?

The most reliable home test is to grin open the pile rows at least six inches into the body of the rug and pinch a single strand with tweezers. On a power-loomed (machine) rug, that strand pulls free easily and is shaped like a “V,” held in place by one stiff foundation fiber and pressure. On a real hand-knotted rug, each knot is twisted around two warps and will not pull free unless the rug is damaged. For a purchase worth thousands, get a fiber test and inspection from an independent expert rather than relying on this alone.

Is “hand-finished” the same as hand-knotted?

No, and this is a common trick. Many machine-made silk rugs from Turkey, the Middle East, and India, have their fringe and side edges made separately and attached by hand to a power-loomed body. A seller can truthfully say the edges are “hand-finished” while the entire rug body is made by machine. Hand-finished attached edges do not mean the rug is handwoven. And in my opinion, machine woven rugs should not be sold at hand-knotted prices.

Why do machine-made silk rugs no longer look machine-made?

Two technology shifts changed this. Power looms can now weave tufts so small they create highly detailed, colorful designs. And the fringe and side finishes, which used to be the obvious machine-sewn giveaway, are now made separately and hand-attached. This removes the main visual identifier of machine production, so the fakes are much harder to spot, even for people in the rug trade.

How much should a machine-made bamboo silk rug cost?

A reasonable price reflects machine production, and I am not an appraiser, so all I can do it to share my opinion. I tell our local clients that $15 to $20 per square foot or less seems fair. Direct from Turkey, large bamboo modal silk rugs I have seen sold several years ago for under $8 per square foot at retail. The problem is that the identical rugs show up in US and Canadian stores at $40 to $80+ per square foot, priced as if they were handwoven real silk. Real hand-knotted silk runs 10 times higher than the machine version and is worth it for the authenticity, but you should not pay silk prices for a machine made artificial silk rug in my opinion. It just seems wrong.

Why do online “silk” rug stores always seem to be on sale?

Many list a very high price, slash through it, and show a “discounted” price, so the rug always looks like a fantastic deal. It is worth asking whether anyone ever pays the original price. The same pattern shows up in 75% off and going-out-of-business sales at rug stores, where a high starting price is pulled out of thin air and crossed out. Buyers see a screaming deal until they get the rug appraised and learn that they actually overpaid.

How long do bamboo silk and viscose rugs last?

It depends. Lower quality construction (hand-loomed and hand-tufted) usually means a lower quality fiber choice, so these rugs may only last 3-8 years depending on care and use. Power-loomed rugs are very reflective, but the fibers are paper-based and with spills and clean up they are easily damaged, which changes how the light reflects. In high traffic areas, with spills and/or pet stains, you might get 5-10 years of use. These fibers are very susceptible to mildew and mold, so if you do not clean up spills immediately, then mold can shorten the life. They will not last for generations the way a quality hand-knotted rug does.

Are bamboo silk rugs a bad buy?

Not if you know what you are buying. If you love the look, you are told up front it is machine-woven artificial silk, and you pay a fair machine-made price, then in my opinion it is a fine purchase. It becomes a problem in my mind only when a machine rug is sold as handwoven real silk at 10 times the expected price. Think of it like buying a print of a painting versus the original. Both can be lovely, but they are not the same thing or the same price.

How should I care for a bamboo silk rug?

Act fast on spills. Blot and dry spill areas right away, using a hair dryer on cool or warm if needed, because these fibers stain and are prone to mold when damp. Rotate the rug to even out traffic wear, since the reflective surface wears down in walkways. Avoid aggressive vacuuming, as the fibers are weakly anchored and pull loose easily. These rugs can be like walking on snow, they can show EVERY single footstep. Decide that this is part of its character or you will be bothered by the light and dark differences.

What should I do before buying an expensive silk rug?

Get a second opinion, every time, if you are being asked to pay thousands. Get it even if the store was endorsed by your cruise line, is “Instagram famous,” appears on a government-referred list, or has glowing reviews. Be especially cautious if they want cash instead of a credit card, which removes your fraud protection. A hands-on inspection by an independent appraiser or rug care consultant, not one referred by the seller, is the best protection.

Can someone check a rug for me while I’m traveling abroad?

Yes, though hands-on is always better. Some rug care consultants offer email second opinions for travelers shopping in Turkey, Egypt, India, Iran, Bahrain, Morocco, or China, for silk and wool rugs alike. Photo-only evaluation is harder, because a lot of the identification comes from feeling the edges and the extra stitching used to attach fringes onto a machine-woven body. When possible, have the rug evaluated in person.

Are there hand-knotted silk rugs being made in Cambodia?

Cambodia has a long history of silk fabric making, but not a history of silk hand-knotted rug making that I can source. I have had several clients who have been sold “Cambodian hand-knotted silk rugs” which were in fact power-loomed (machine made) artificial silk rugs. These misled buyers spent thousands of dollars for rugs which, though lovely, should have sold for hundreds. Researching one particular seller of Cambodian arts, they were adamant about the authenticity of the rug they sold, which I had in my hands with no doubt whatsoever of it actually being made by machine and no doubt about the chemical identification test which showed it to be bamboo silk and not silkworm silk. The marketing material on their website, photos of rug weavers, and the sales material with the rug, all apparently not true. They were very quick to give a full refund when presented with inspection notes, which leads me to believe they did not want to have a chargeback that would trigger an investigation by the merchant account. Using a credit card is always a good choice when buying rugs anywhere.

Who can give me an honest opinion on a rug?

An independent appraiser or experienced rug care consultant, not one referred by the seller. A rug appraiser can confirm market value and whether it is machine or hand-made. A rug care consultant can run a fiber test, inspect for power-loomed construction, and give you care details to extend the rug’s life. For a purchase in the thousands, this small fee for that second opinion before you buy is actually buying protection from rug heartache.

For the full story, side-by-side photos of real versus fake silk, and the cruise-shopping cautionary tales, read Silk Rug Scams (ALL Buyers Beware).

Need a second opinion on a silk rug? Look through the Rug Cleaner Directory, or reach out through the contact form if there is no expert in your area.

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