“Hair yarns” are yarns in which short hairs have been spun with other fibers. Only hairs which possess good spinning qualities - length, fineness and other characteristics - can be produced in great quantities at a reasonable price are important to the textile industry. Sheep wool best meets these requirements, but hair from the camel and from several goat and llama species have gained some importance. Hairs have always been used in the fabrication of textiles to reinforce fabrics. The felt tents of the Mongols were made with a great percentage of hair to reinforce the stability of the fabric. Today, as it is difficult to spin, horsehair is mostly used for interlining material and high quality upholstery material.

Combining horsehair with goat's hair and pure new wool creates a hard-wearing and beautiful Ruckstuhl carpet.

Facts and figures

• Horsehair has been used for centuries to make wigs, to upholster furniture and mattresses, and to strengthen fabrics.
• With the advent of automobiles and agricultural machinery, horses were displaced as transport and work animals, which had a negative effect on the supply of fibers.
• Ruckstuhl only uses goat and horsehair of the best quality for the production of carpets.

Advantages

• Hair yarn is a natural and renewable raw material.
• Hair yarn is tear-resistant and hard-wearing.
• Hair yarn is agreeable to the touch.
• Hair yarn ages beautifully.
• Hair yarn has a regulatory effect on the climate of the room because it can absorb moisture.
• Hair yarn is electrostatically neutral when the humidity in the room is normal.
• Hair yarn can be eliminated ecologically and without problem.
• Hair yarn is easy to clean in domestic and contract use.