Wool Rugs

What's the humidity level in the basement? Also, are you talking about machine made area rugs or hand made "oriental" rugs? There's a great deal of variation in the quality of wool and that affects propensity for static problems. A good hand made rug uses wool sheared from a live sheep, the wool is supple. A cheap rug can use wool from dead sheep that is coarse and more prone to static. Maybe it's the different lanolin levels in wool types that accounts for the difference? I've never felt a static charge from any of our oriental rugs, but have heard numerous reports of static from people scuffling along over wall to wall machine made wool carpet. That problem gets worse the drier the air is.

The humidity level is high enough that I use a large dehumidifier. The rugs I was looking at were made with wool from New Zealand in the Netherlands. I assume they are machine made. Hand made ones are beyond my budget. I supposed they are made from the wool of live sheep but it doesn't say. You remember the old joke, the salesman says" this product is made from virgin wool", the customer replies, " how do they know".

New Zealand is known for quality wool, you'll probably be fine. Their wool industry shears live animals from what I've seen. Just make sure the rugs you consider feel soft and velvety. If one feels coarse and scratchy like burlap, avoid that rug. By the way, decent hand make rugs don't have to cost a fortune. I've seen plenty of machine made New Zealand rugs that cost as much as a lower end, but still very nice, hand made rugs. Rugman.com sells very decent, well made rugs for quite reasonable prices. (Not affiliated in any way, just a satisfied customer.)

Before moving on to the rug I suggest you stop a future problem by laying down a plywood floor over 2x4's. While it will not stop a flood, it will give ample protection from small spills. You can put the vinyl over the plywood and still use the rug.