Bart Arlequin rug black

Yes, during the first few weeks, a new woollen rug will shed loose fibres left behind during the knotting and trimming processes. This shedding will decrease if you vacuum it regularly using a non-rotating brush.

Use a smooth nozzle without a rotating brush and vacuum in the direction of the pile on a low setting. A rotating brush pulls at the tips of the fibres and can thin out the pile. Brush the pile occasionally with a soft brush to keep the fibres open.

Wool is a natural insulator, and a thick pile retains more heat than a thin rug. The rug can be laid on underfloor heating, but bear in mind that the heat output may be noticeably lower than with a thinner rug.

Yes, legs can flatten the pile. Gently rub the area with your fingers or a soft brush to lift the pile, and if necessary, lightly dampen the wool with a damp cloth. Furniture pads distribute the pressure over a larger area.

A high-pile rug traps sand and street dirt more effectively but wears out more quickly when subjected to heavy foot traffic. A rug with a shorter pile is more suitable for a hall or passageway.

Blot the stain immediately with a clean cloth, without rubbing. Use lukewarm water with a drop of pH-neutral wool detergent and work from the outside towards the centre. Leave the rug to dry outdoors, out of direct sunlight.

Do not put in the washing machine. Small rugs can be hand-washed in lukewarm water and left to dry flat. For larger rugs, a professional rug cleaner with experience in wool is the safest option.

A deep-pile rug is warmer, softer and has more volume. A short-pile rug lies flatter, is easier to keep clean and allows chairs to slide more smoothly. For a wooden floor where you walk barefoot, a deep-pile rug offers greater comfort; for a dining room, a short-pile version is more practical.

Hand-knotted rugs are made from sheep’s wool, which has natural variations in fibre thickness and springs back after being compressed. Machine-made shaggy rugs often use polyester or polypropylene with a uniform, less resilient pile; polypropylene is more affordable, but feels less soft and does not spring back as well as wool.

New woollen rugs may have a slight woolly smell, which will disappear of its own accord after a few weeks. Upon receipt, unroll the rug in a well-ventilated room.

Use a non-slip mat made of felt or rubber that is slightly smaller than the rug, so that the edges do not curl up. A thicker felt mat provides extra cushioning and protects the floor from wear and tear.