Rug Care: The Ultimate Guide 

Sometimes picking out the perfect rug can be tricky. You have to consider shape, size, material, and wearability when selecting a rug. But there are no strict rules when it comes to picking your perfect rug - you just need to know how to find it!

We've created a handy guide for selecting and placing the right rug in your space. Check it out below!

LIVING ROOM RUG PLACEMENT

Think about the size of your room when you're thinking about which rug to buy.

A small rug in a large space can make the room look cluttered.

While a large rug in a small space will make it look sparse and empty.

For best results, place the front legs of your sofa and armchairs on top of the rug. Then, create a more cohesive look that's easy on the eyes.

BEDROOM RUG PLACEMENT

When it comes to rugs in bedrooms, there are two main considerations: warmth and comfort. If you have hard flooring in your bedroom, a rug can make a big difference in how comfortable your feet feel when you get out of bed or sit down on your bed.

To get the most out of your rug, we recommend choosing one that extends at least 50cm beyond the sides of the bed (depending on the size of your bedroom). So that when getting out of bed or sitting down, you’ll have plenty of softness underfoot.

This allows you to step direct onto the rug without having to worry about hard flooring underneath. It also helps prevent trips from happening when walking over from one side of the room to another!

DINING ROOM RUG PLACEMENT

When you're setting up a dining room, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of new space and forget about practical things like how big your rug should be. But if you want your floor to look its best, getting the size right is key.

A rug should be large enough to accommodate all the chairs around the table, even when they're pulled out for dinner. We recommend that your rug extend at least 60-70cm beyond the table itself. This will help keep your dining area looking neat and tidy no matter how many people join you for dinner!

If you're worried about spills or high traffic, we recommend choosing a low-pile rug that's easy to clean and won't show stains easily.

TYPES OF RUG MATERIALS 

Choosing the right rug for your space can be a daunting task. There are so many materials available, and they all come with their own unique benefits and characteristics.

While wool rugs are often considered to be superior, you may be surprised to learn that this isn't always true.

Each material has its own special properties, and the best way to determine which one is right for you is to learn about them all!

NATURAL FIBRE

Wool, silk, jute and cotton are among the natural fibres used in area rugs. These resources are gathered and processed into fibres, then woven into rugs from plants or animals.

Natural fibre rugs are more durable than synthetic versions, which is one of the main reasons why they're so popular. They last longer than synthetics, and they're also more eco-friendly because they have a lower carbon footprint and are non-toxic because they're constructed of natural materials.

WOOL FIBRE

Wool fibres are the ultimate in luxury, comfort and durability. They're fire-resistant, can last for years and are completely natural. What's not to love?

But wool fibres also come with a price tag—and that's why many people choose other synthetic alternatives.

It's true that wool will cost you more than synthetics. But if you're looking for something that will last for years and years, has little maintenance requirements, is completely natural, feels great underfoot and is sustainable? Wool is your best bet.

POLYPROPYLENE

It's not the most luxurious material, but polypropylene is a great choice for rugs for several reasons.

It's machine-made, which means it's super affordable. It also means that it can be made in huge quantities, which means that you'll always have a ton of options to choose from - and you won't have to settle. And finally, its ability to withstand heavy use and maintain that soft plush feels make it perfect for high-traffic areas like kitchens and living rooms.

VISCOSE & TENCEL

Viscose fibres offer a luxury that you can't get with other types of fabrics. Made from cellulose and treated with carbon disulfide and sodium hydroxide, viscose rugs are known for their silk-like qualities and comfort.

These are delicate fibres, so they are more susceptible to crushing under heavy furniture. Spills will cause irreversible damage and staining to the pile, so these rugs are best for low-traffic areas.

Whether you choose to buy handcrafted or machine-made viscose rugs, you'll enjoy several advantages in your home.

POLYESTER

Polyester fibres are soft, durable, and easy to clean. They're also less expensive than natural fibres, which makes them a good choice for high-traffic areas. This fibre has minimal to no shedding when used on the floors of your home or office.

COTTON

Cotton is an incredibly versatile material that's simple to produce, environmentally friendly and holds dyes very well. These characteristics make it a fantastic choice for rugs, especially those with intricate patterns and detail.

RUG CONSTRUCTION 

When you're choosing a rug, you might notice that there are different constructions. That's because it makes all the difference in how a rug looks, feels, and lasts.

Here are a few common rug constructions to note when choosing a rug.

HAND (Woven, Braided, Loomed)

The process of creating handmade rugs is a labour of love, and their longevity is a testament to their craftsmanship. Master weavers know how to create a beautiful rug that will last for many years.

These pieces are not created with a pile, which means that they can be reversible and have a flat surface. Their unique construction means that they're great for rooms with high traffic or places where you need something durable and easy to clean.

MACHINE MADE & POWER-LOOMED

Machine-made rugs are woven on power looms operated by hand, machine or computer. They're also known as "power loomed." The design and colours of a machine-made rug are determined by a computer card that tells the machine what size and colour rug to produce.

Although some machine-made rugs can be poor imitations of handmade pieces, many modern machine-made rugs rival the look and feel of new handmade pieces.

NATURAL- HAND KNOTTED

Hand-knotted rugs are made by hand on a specially designed loom, so it's no surprise that they're so beautiful!

The size of the loom depends on the size of the rug and its foundation is woven from top to bottom. The weaver inserts "knots" into the foundation of the rug, which creates its pile. This is a very tedious and time-consuming operation.

TUFTED

Hand-tufted rugs are made in the same way as hand-knotted rugs, but instead of tying knots, they use a tool called a 'hand tufter' or tufting gun to push the yarn through a mesh canvas backing stretched on a frame.

This method of making rugs creates a highly durable and accurate handmade rug that will endure foot traffic for a number of years.

FAQ’s

How do you clean a rug?

Generally, practices like regular vacuuming and spot cleaning will do the trick in keeping your rug looking nice. But you’ll want to refer to the rug’s specific care instructions for proper maintenance and to ensure the rug’s longevity. Some rugs can be put in the washing machine, while others require professional cleaning.

How do I Choose the Right Rug Material?

While cost makes one of the primary factors for many rug shoppers, choosing a rug with the resilience to handle your daily life must be your top priority.

If you have kids or pets at home, choose a rug fibre that’s durable and easy to clean. If you constantly drop your phones and other devices, the additional security from a denser rug would be appropriate.

People with allergies should stay away from the fibre makeup of a rug. We recommend sticking with organic weave from jute or seagrass. Some knowledge about the pros and cons of rug materials will help you assess which type of rug is perfect for you and other family members.

What type of rug best matches my lifestyle?

It all depends on your budget and your preferences. If you have a smaller space to cover, or you're looking for something that will last a long time, an area rug made by hand is probably the way to go. But if you're on a tight budget and don't mind replacing your rug more frequently, a machine-made rug might be the better choice for you.

How do I keep a rug in place?

Carpet tape for a small rug or runner. A non-slip padding underneath for a room-size rug will keep it in place.

Why is my area rug fading?

One of the biggest enemies of your area rug is sunlight. The more direct the light, the faster it will fade. If you've got a beautiful jute rug that you want to keep looking its best, make sure you're keeping it out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

If your rug has faded after being left in direct sunlight for any length of time, we recommend that you move it into another room where it can be protected from further damage.

If at all possible, try not to leave your area rugs out on balconies or terraces where they may be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time without protection from furniture or shading devices.

My rug is shedding fibres—why is this happening?

If you notice your new rug shedding a lot of fibre, don't worry! This is normal for new rugs, and it should reduce within a couple of months (but will not stop completely). Wool and viscose are both high-shedding fibres. If this is something you would rather avoid, a polypropylene or polyester rug would be more suitable as these are low-shed.

How do you protect a rug from a rolling chair?

Rolling chairs are very abrasive to fibres. You see rings of worn-out rugs all the time from rolling chairs. We usually recommend using a hard protective mat of some type. Plastic, glass, or hardboard should work in such a regard.

If the wheels are narrow, more force (strain) will be placed on the surface it rolls on. In this case, a plastic or hardboard mat will damage over time. For that instance, a glass chair mat would be a better choice.

There's an odour coming from my rug. Is this normal?

If your rug has a musty or chemical smell, don't worry! It's not toxic, and it will go away after you keep your rug outside for a while. In some cases, the rug has been wrapped up for a long time without being exposed to air and needs to be aired out before it can be used. The smell should dissipate in a matter of days or at the most weeks.

Do I need to use a rug pad?

We recommend a pad under every rug. It will keep your rug in place and lay flat, extend the life of your rug, and prevent it from curling, wrinkling and slipping. A rug pad will also help maintain the shape of the rug and protect floors and carpets against possible colour transfer from the rug.

What kind of fibre is best for an area rug: natural or synthetic?

Synthetic and natural fibres each offer their own unique benefits. Synthetic fibres like polypropylene and polyester are durable and stain resistant, meaning they're tough to wear out. Natural fibres like wool and cotton have been around for centuries, offering vivid colours, excellent wearability, and great appearance retention.

How do I keep my area rug clean and safe while not in use?

If you have a rug that you're storing for an extended period of time, it's important to keep it safe.

A common mistake people make when storing a rug is rolling it up for storage. This can cause damage to the rug if it hasn't been properly cleaned and prepared for storage.

Wrapping your rug in breathable fabric like cotton sheeting or muslin is generally the best way to protect it during storage.

If you want even more protection against moisture and insects, consider wrapping your rug in a polyurethane rug wrap. These wraps are designed to provide a superior barrier against dampness and insects and will be more effective than muslin.

Don't use plastic to wrap your rug, since it keeps rugs from breathing. Store your rug off the ground in a cool, dry environment and check on it every few months for any signs of damage so that you can take care of them before they get worse.

My rug won't lie flat - what can I do about it?

If you've received a new rug and it's not lying flat, don't worry! We've got your back.

The best way to speed up the process of your rug relaxing flat is to reverse-roll/back-roll it and apply pressure at the same time on the area where it's creased/folded.

Leave it back-rolled for a few hours or overnight to give the rug some time for its tension to relax. Then, lay it out again and see how well it worked. If needed, redo your reverse roll, repeat the process, and try again.

If that doesn't work—don't give up! Try lying your rug out in the sun for a couple of hours to warm up and loosen the back of the rug so that it lies flat more easily.

There is a loose thread on my rug — what should I do?

Rugs are hand-made, woven, braided, and woven in all sorts of different ways. This means that there will be imperfections and inconsistencies, especially where the end of the yarn pops up from being tucked under the weave. These loose threads are perfectly normal, especially at the ends of rugs. You can push these tufts back in using a blunt instrument, or in most cases use sharp scissors to snip them off.

Are the photos of your rugs close to the colour of the original rug?

We take photos in a rich daylight environment using a high-resolution professional camera and perform very minimal post-processing. Therefore, our photos are as close as possible to the original rugs. However, the photo colours always depend on the type, quality and age of the screen one uses to view the rugs and this can affect how the photos and colours are displayed on your screen. We check our rugs on a retina screen to ensure the most accurate colour tone.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR RUGS CLEAN

It's important to remember that your rug is more than just a piece of decoration. It's also an investment in the health of your home.

Keeping your rugs clean is an important aspect of their care and maintenance. There are a few things you can do to ensure that your rug maintains its lustre for many years to come.

Vacuum

• Canister vacuums without beater bars are ideal for cleaning rugs.

• Manual sweepers and brooms are also gentle and effective at cleaning rugs.

• If you choose to use an upright vacuum, opt for a model with a detachable handheld attachment.

• Do not vacuum over the edges of the rug, where it could become damaged. Instead, use the vacuum's handheld attachment or place it on a rug carefully.

• Reversible rugs should be vacuumed on both sides.

• When vacuuming a hand-woven rug, take care not to suck the weave into the vacuum cleaner or you’ll damage it. Instead, shake it out outside.

Rotate

Rotation is an essential part of the life of your rug, and it's recommended that you rotate it 180 degrees every 3-6 months. 

The rotation will help to balance out the appearance of your rug, reduce fading in high-traffic areas and distribute wear evenly throughout the rug.

For Handmade rugs

Always use extra caution when cleaning handmade rugs. Handmade rugs are more delicate than their machine-made counterparts, and some areas may be more vulnerable to damage if they're not treated properly. When in doubt, spot clean or consider hiring a professional cleaner.

Treating Spills and Stains

• Clean spills immediately. When a stain sets, it becomes more difficult to clean.

• Blot the spill with a dry cotton cloth or paper towel.

• Treat the edges of the spill first and work towards the centre to prevent spreading.

• Never rub a spill and try to push it down into the rug, this only spreads the stain.

• To remove the stain, dampen a cotton cloth or clean a paper towel with clean, cold or lukewarm water.

• Blot moisture on the rug with a damp cloth. Then, dry it off very quickly.

• Note: We recommend that you do not clean a Viscose or Tencel rug with water, liquid, or any type of cleaning agent and use a Rug Dry Cleaner product instead.