Thank you for choosing a rug from Fishpools. We are delighted you've selected one of our rugs to complete your home and hope it brings warmth, comfort, and style to your space for many years to come.
Rugs Care Guide
A quality rug is an investment that brings warmth, comfort and style to your home. Whether you've chosen a luxurious wool rug, a durable synthetic rug or a handcrafted design, following the correct care routine will help preserve its appearance for years to come. From understanding natural shedding to protecting colours and maintaining the fibres, our expert rug care guide covers everything you need to know.
Why Rug Colours May Look Different Online
When shopping online, it's worth remembering that rug colours can appear differently from one screen to another.
Why Colours Vary
The appearance of a rug can change depending on:
- Screen technology
- Device type
- Brightness settings
- Colour calibration
- Contrast levels
A rug viewed on a smartphone may appear warmer, brighter or more vibrant than it does on a desktop monitor.
Getting the Best Colour Representation
To gain the most accurate impression of your chosen rug:
- View product images on multiple devices where possible.
- Read the product description for colour guidance.
- Remember that natural fibres can also display subtle tonal variations.
- Contact our team if you'd like further advice before ordering.
Minor colour differences between online images and the finished product are perfectly normal.
Understanding Rug Size Tolerance
When purchasing a rug, it's important to understand that the finished size may vary slightly from the stated dimensions. This is known as size tolerance and is a normal part of the manufacturing process, particularly with handmade rugs.
Typical Rug Size Tolerances:
- Up to 5cm variation in width
- Up to 5cm variation in length
These small differences are completely normal and do not indicate a manufacturing fault.
Why Rug Size Tolerance Matters
A slight variation in size rarely affects the overall appearance of your rug, but
it can be important if you're placing it in a precise location, such as:
- Under dining tables
- Beneath beds
- Between fitted furniture
- Along hallways
- Within custom-built spaces
If exact dimensions are essential for your room, we recommend allowing a little flexibility when measuring and contacting us if you require confirmation of the rug's finished size before ordering.
Why Choose a Wool Rug?
Despite some initial shedding, wool remains one of the best materials for rugs thanks to its many benefits.
- Naturally durable
- Soft and comfortable underfoot
- Excellent insulation
- Naturally stain-resistant
- Renewable and sustainable
- Long-lasting with proper care
Why Wool Rugs Shed
If you've recently purchased a new wool rug, you may notice loose fibres during the first few months. This is completely normal and is one of the natural characteristics of wool.
What Causes Rug Shedding?
Wool rugs naturally shed because:
- Loose fibres from the manufacturing process gradually work free.
- Shorter wool fibres naturally release during the early stages of use.
- Handmade and hand-tufted rugs typically shed more than machine-made rugs.
Shedding is not a sign of poor quality—in fact, many premium wool rugs experience this during their settling-in period.
How Long Does Shedding Last?
Most wool rugs experience:
- More noticeable shedding during the first 1-3 months.
- A gradual reduction over the following months.
- Minimal ongoing shedding after around 6 months with regular maintenance.
High-traffic areas may continue to produce small amounts of loose fibre over time.
How to Reduce Wool Rug Shedding
You can't completely prevent shedding, but you can minimise it by following these simple care tips.
- Vacuum carefully
- Use a suction-only vacuum cleaner.
- Avoid rotating brushes or beater bars.
- Vacuum once or twice a week while the rug is new.
- Avoid excessive vacuuming.
- Clean spills promptly
General Maintenance
- Blot spills immediately using a clean cloth and a mild detergent if required. Never scrub the fibres.
- Use a Rug Underlay
A quality rug underlay helps:
- Reduce movement
- Minimise friction
- Protect the rug backing
- Extend the life of your rug
- Improve comfort underfoot
- Rotate regularly
Turn your rug every few months to promote even wear and reduce fibre loss in high-use areas. Keep floors clean. Dust and grit act like sandpaper on rug fibres, so regular
vacuuming of both your rug and surrounding floor helps protect the pile.
Essential Rug Care Tips
Looking after your rug properly will help maintain its appearance, comfort and
longevity.
- Clean spills immediately
- Accidents happen, but quick action makes all the difference.
- Blot spills straight away using a clean absorbent cloth.
- Work from the outside towards the centre.
- Never rub or scrub the fibres. This helps prevent stains from penetrating deep into the pile.
- Vacuum gently
- Regular vacuuming removes dust, dirt and allergens while protecting the fibres.
For best results:
- Use suction-only settings.
- Turn off rotating brush bars.
- Vacuum regularly without over-cleaning.
This is especially important for wool rugs and handmade designs.
Use a Rug Underlay
Adding a quality rug underlay provides several benefits:
- Prevents slipping
- Protects flooring
- Reduces wear
- Improves comfort
- Minimises edge curling
- Extends the life of your rug
A rug underlay is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment.
- Care for Rug Fringes
- Decorative fringes require a little extra attention.
- Avoid vacuuming directly over the fringe.
- Keep heavy furniture away from the edges.
- Carefully trim any loose strands if necessary.
Rotate Your Rug
Rotating your rug every few months helps:
- Prevent uneven wear
- Reduce fading from sunlight
- Minimise furniture pressure marks
- Extend the overall lifespan
This is particularly beneficial in busy living areas.
Professional Rug Cleaning
Even with regular home care, professional cleaning is recommended every 12 to 24 months, depending on usage.
Professional cleaning helps:
- Remove deep-set dirt
- Refresh colours
- Eliminate allergens
- Protect delicate fibres
- Extends the life of your rug
Always choose a professional cleaner experienced in caring for your specific rug type.
Enjoy Your Rug for Years to Come
With regular maintenance and the right care, your rug will continue to enhance your home for many years. Simple steps such as vacuuming correctly, using a quality rug underlay, cleaning spills promptly and rotating your rug regularly can significantly extend its lifespan while keeping it looking its best.
Whether you've chosen a luxurious wool rug, a contemporary synthetic design or a beautifully handcrafted statement piece, proper care will help preserve its comfort, colour and appearance for years to come.