The appeal of anything plastic is that you can keep it clean by hosing it down with water. The Swedes were onto this idea back in the 1970s when colorful plastic PVC ribbons were paired with traditional looms for an easy to clean and mold resistant rug that works just as well in the kitchen as it does on the porch or in the garden.
There are a few Scandinavian rug companies still putting plastic to use, and others who now use ribbons recycled from plastic water bottles and straws. The rugs are all made without heavy metals or toxic softeners, and can be kept clean with the garden hose or a standard washing machine. Here are our 10 favorites.
Above: Designed by Elisabeth Dunker for Fine Little Day, the Water Lilies Plastic Rug is woven from plastic foil and polyester in Sweden. It comes in three sizes with prices ranging from $100 to $178 at Fine Little Day.
Above: The Pappelina Linn Plastic Rug is made from phthalate-free PVC ribbon and polyester wrap in Dalarna, Sweden on a traditional loom. It’s available in three different sizes by ordering directly through Pappelina.
Above: Another style from Swedish brand Pappelina is the nautical-looking Duo Plastic Rug, shown in Coral Red and Vanilla. It’s also made in Sweden from phthalate-free PVC and polyester and is available in a 2 3/4 by 5 1/4 inch size for $250 at Fjørn Scandinavian.
Above: The Åre Rug Orange by industrial designer Sofie Sjöström is made of PVC plastic threads and polyester rug warp. It comes in two sizes with prices ranging from $94 to $180 for the runner at Scandinavian Design Center.
Above: The XL Gittan Rug in Clay from Brita Sweden is made of soft plastic foil PVC and measures 200 by 300 centimeters (or about 6.5 by 10 feet) for $999.09 AUD at Habitat Home Collection in Australia. You can also order the rug directly from Brita Sweden.
Above: The Eternity MultiColor Stripes Rug is made of PET fibers from recycled plastic bottles and available in a range of shapes and sizes with prices from £83 to £289 at Green Decore in the UK.
Above: The Samsara Black and White Rug from Fab Habitat is made of polypropylene from recycled straws; $69 for the 2.5 by 8 foot size at Fab Habitat.
Above: The Flora Rug Spring from Nordic Nest is made of PVC and polyester and comes in three sizes priced from $129 to $241 at Scandinavian Design Center.
Above: The Brita Sweden Flower Rug, shown in Flower Sun, is woven in Sweden from soft plastic thread. Sizes run from the smallest doormat to the 5.5 by 8 foot size for 4,985 SEK at Brita Sweden. It’s also available at Huset Shop in the US.
Above: Another design from Nordic Nest is the Woods Rug Black in a classic black-and-white stripe made of PVC and polyester. Prices range from $129 to $241 at Scandinavian Design Center.
Looking for more indoor-outdoor rugs? See our posts:
