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Moths & Saran. Today, such firms as Masland, Firth, and Artloom have all switched over to the new tufted rugs. Besides cotton, the industry is now using new synthetic yarns. Masland has an allrayon rug that, it says, wears better and stays clean longer than cotton and has about the same resiliency as wool. Cost: about $10 a sq. yd. Firth has coated wool with vinyl plastic to make it wear longer; Nye-Wait and others have brought out nylon rugs that cost more than wool ($15 to $45 a sq. yd.) but wear better, are mothproof, and have a rich, glittery shine that housewives like. The stylists have put synthetic rugs out in every pattern from standard flowered designs to tweeds, plaids and bright basket weaves.
Some of the rugmakers are even experimenting with Orion and Dacron as rug fabrics. One of the newest: Masland's Saranette line ($11 a sq. yd.) made from Dow Chemical's Saran, which is softer than nylon and has the advantage of being almost impervious to ordinary stains.
The new technology and synthetic fabrics may well run away with the market.
Sales of the standard loomed Axminster wool rugs have declined more than 20% in the last decade, and only the fancier wool grades are gaining in popularity.
At last count, tufting machines were busily turning out rugs in 150 mills through out the U.S., accounting for 29% of the rug market.