A handcrafted rug is designed to last decades with the right care. Here’s everything you need to know to keep yours looking beautiful.
Why Wool Rugs Shed (and Why It’s a Good Sign)
Noticed fluff on the surface after un-rolling? Don’t worry. Shedding is normal in natural fibre rugs:
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Loose fibres from weaving work their way out at first.
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It’s proof of genuine, handwoven wool: not synthetic blends.
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With gentle vacuuming, shedding significantly reduces within 6 months.
Think of it like breaking in leather boots: extra at first, then it softens, settles, and lasts a lifetime.
Everyday Rug Care
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Vacuum regularly on low suction, no brush bars.
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Blot spills immediately (never rub).
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Avoid harsh cleaners, steam, or machine washing.
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Rotate every 6–12 months for balanced fading and wear.
Care by Material
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Wool → resilient, easy-care, soft underfoot.
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Jute → shake or lightly vacuum; avoid water.
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Tencel/Art Silk → very delicate, vacuum gently; avoid moisture; professional clean only.
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Polypropylene/Polyester → durable, easy to deep clean, suits non-eco-friendly homes.
Common Questions
What are those little tufts sticking up?
These are “sprouts”—loose yarn ends that pop up. Simply trim with scissors or tuck back with a blunt tool. They’re part of the charm of handmade work.
Why doesn’t my rug lie flat?
New rugs can buckle or crease. To fix:
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Reverse-roll it overnight.
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Place in sunlight for a few hours to relax the fibres.
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Repeat if needed.
Your rug will naturally settle with time.
Will heavy furniture damage my rug?
Yes, sharp or heavy legs can leave permanent marks. Always use protectors and rotate your rug every 6–12 months to even out wear.
Why does my rug look a different colour in places?
Changes in light direction or weave can create natural shading. This isn’t a flaw, it’s part of what makes each rug unique.
Do Busy, High Traffic Homes need Extra Protection?
For homes with kids or pets, we strongly recommend adding peace of mind via MicroSeal® protection to guard against spills and extend the life of your rug.
How often do I need to get my rug professionally cleaned?
We advise scheduling a rug clean with professional cleaners experienced with natural fibres every 1-3 years. For stubborn stains or your annual refresh, here are a handful of trusted specialists in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Port Macquarie.
Sydney
Devine Rug Care
+61 2 9982 1000
devine@rugclean.com.au
17 Mitchell Road
Brookvale NSW 2100
rugclean.com.au
Rug & Fabric Care Company
1300 685 203
info@rugandfabriccare.com.au
92 Woonona Avenue
Wahroonga NSW 2076
rugandfabriccare.com.au
Brisbane
Premier Rug Cleaning Services
1800 655 949
Pick-Up & Delivery
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba & Northern Rivers
premierrugcleaning.com.au
Melbourne
Rubber Anchor
+61 3 9500 8882
1/42 Burlington Street
Oakleigh VIC 3166
rubberanchor.com.au
Able Carpet Care
+61 3 9562 7565
5/6 Coora Rd
Oakleigh VIC 3166
ablecarpetcare.com.au
Perth
Perth Rug Wash
+61 8 9244 8851
343 Railway Parade
Shenton Park WA 6008
www.perthrugwash.com.au
Adelaide
Goldline Karpet Kare
+61 418 846 619
16 Chapman Street
Rostrevor SA 5073
Port Macquarie
Port Crystal Cleaners
+61 2 6581 4524
32 Munster Street
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
rugcleaningport.com
A Final Thought
Every Rugs for Good piece is handwoven, unique, and built to last. With a little care, your rug will grow softer, richer, and more beautiful with age, becoming the backdrop to years of memories.
If you want to keep your natural fibre rug beautiful for decades, think of it like an heirloom and a symbol of craftsmanship. With your help it will grow softer and more meaningful with every year.
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Natural Fibre Rugs will Shed for the First 6 Months
All natural fibre wool rugs will shed and produce fluff for the first 6 months. Inferior quality wool rugs tend to shed for much longer, and far worse than premium New Zealand Wool (as the climate of New Zealand naturally produces wool with high lanolin, which makes it resistant to snapping and breaking). Shedding is a result of the making process and is not a fault, it's a standard characteristic of wool rugs. This will reduce month on month with regular vacuuming (on the lowest setting (without bristles or combs) — usually settling completely within a year. Initial shedding is a result of loose fibres that remain in the rug from the making process. If this natural process is something you can't tolerate, a polypropylene/polyester rug may be more suitable for you, despite the impact on the planet.
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Handmade Natural Fibre Rugs will Sprout
Tufts/sprouts are perfectly normal, especially where the end of the yarn pops up from being tucked under the weave. Simply push these tufts back in using a blunt instrument. Handmade natural fibre rugs — whether woven or braided — will naturally have imperfections and inconsistencies. These unique variations are one element of the beauty handweaved into each rug.
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How to Deal with Pilling
Pilling can occur due to moving furniture, traffic, vacuuming on high settings, or other mechanical agitation. Simply carefully trim with scissors.
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Vacuum Regularly
To remove dust and dirt, regular light vacuuming is recommended with your vacuum on the lowest setting (without bristles or combs). We suggest avoiding powerful vacuum settings or power heads — as stiff bristles and strong suction can damage the pile. For everyday cleaning of jute runners and doormats, a simple shake outside will remove excess dust, dirt and fluff.
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How to Fix Rug Not Lying Flat
Buckling/creasing/not lying flat is common when you first unroll your rug. The best way to speed up the rug relaxing flat is to reverse-roll / back-roll the rug and apply pressure at the same time on the area where the rug is 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 and repeat. If the above does not work, try lying the rug out in the sun for a couple of hours to warm up and loosen the fibres to help it flatten.
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Rotate your Rug
Try to rotate your rug every 6-12 months to ensure even wear.
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Clean Spills via Blotting & Spot Clean Immediately
The prompt removal of stains/soil marks is necessary to maintain your rug's appearance. If stains are not dealt with immediately they may become permanent and even a professional cleaner may be unable to help. Spills should be cleaned immediately. Never rub a spill, instead blot any liquids with a dry absorbent white cloth or white paper towel. Some stains may be cleaned with a mild detergent and lukewarm water. If the stain cannot be removed, like a paint, nail polish, shoe polish, seek specialist advice. Do not machine wash rugs.
For further protection of your new rug we recommend purchasing MicroSeal Protection. You can learn more about MircoSeal and purchase it here: https://rugsforgood.com.au/products/microseal-rug-protection
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Sunlight & Fading:
Placing rugs in direct and continuous sunlight will cause them to fade. It is best to avoid placing a rug in direct sunlight if possible, and to regularly rotate your rug if sunlight is falling on one area of the rug. Fading will happen slowly over time, and this bleaching effect will permanently damage your rug. It occurs more obviously with darker coloured rugs.
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Furniture Markings
Be aware that some heavy furniture can mark and flatten the pile in rugs, causing irreversible damage. Some heavy or sharp edged furniture pieces, or constant moving of furniture, can pull the rug out of shape so it appears less square.
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Get Your Rug Cleaned Professionally Every Year
Try to have your rugs professionally cleaned at least once every 12 months via a professional carpet/rug cleaner. Professional cleaning should be carried out only by a reputable company, and they should avoid using any shampoos or cleaners with a spirit base.
Manufacturing Variations / Characteristics of Handmade Wool Rugs
Our rugs are individually hand woven and as such are subject to the following manufacturing variations, which are not considered faults or defects:
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Size
Being a handmade article, the size can vary by approximately 3% from the exact size ordered.
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Colour
Our products are made from natural and hand dyed fibres. Every effort is made to ensure there is minimal colour variation however some variation can be expected between dye lots.
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Design & Construction
Minor variations may be evident in the design and construction, including line or weave thickness, which is due to the fact that the product is a handmade item.
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Shading
Shading may occur due to changes in pile and weave direction. Areas of the rug may appear to have changed colour where the pile is facing a different direction. This is a natural effect in the rug and cannot be prevented.
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Fading
Placing rugs in direct and continuous sunlight will cause them to fade. Dark coloured products will fade more obviously in natural light or sunlight. Some colour may transfer on light coloured surfaces. Rotate your rug to minimize damage caused by natural light.
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Shedding
Natural fibre rugs will shed and produce fluff for the first 6 months. Inferior quality wool rugs tend to shed for much longer, and far worse than premium New Zealand Wool (as the climate of New Zealand naturally produces wool with high lanolin, which makes it resistant to snapping and breaking). Shedding is a result of the making process and is not a fault, it's a standard characteristic of wool rugs. This will reduce month on month with regular vacuuming (on the lowest setting (without bristles or combs) — usually settling completely within a year.
