Rug Care Guide

Organic Cotton NZ Wool Heavy Loop Chenille New Jute Plush Flokati & Shag Vegan Wool Outdoor

New Zealand Washable Wool

Our New Zealand Wool rugs are crafted from premium sustainable fibres, offering exceptional durability and natural texture in a traditional hand-tufted construction. These rugs feature inherent stain resistance and temperature regulation properties, maintaining comfort year-round. New Zealand Wool rugs require regular cleaning for maintenance, making them ideal statement pieces for low-traffic areas where refined craftsmanship and enduring elegance are desired.

Sheepskin

Berber

Abrash Dyed

Morroccan Pile

Heavy Loop

Fine Cut Pile

Knotted

Wool Flatweave

Care Instructions

Spot Clean First

Deal with spills as soon as they happen. Blot the area with a clean, damp cloth and a small amount of pH-neutral, wool-safe detergent. Continue blotting gently until the stain lifts. Do not rub, as this can work the spill deeper into the pile and spread it further.

Avoid bleach, citrus-based cleaners and harsh chemicals, which can damage or discolour wool fibres.

Vacuum Gently

Use a soft brush or non-rotary attachment on a low suction setting. Avoid stiff bristles, high suction and rotating brush heads, which can pull at the fibres and place unnecessary stress on the rug over time.

Vacuum in high-traffic areas and during the first few months, when shedding is likely to be more noticeable.

Rotate your rug occasionally to encourage even wear, particularly in areas exposed to regular foot traffic or direct sunlight.

Wash With Care

Use a small amount of pH-neutral, wool-safe detergent. Avoid bleach and fabric softeners, as these can damage wool fibres.

Wash in cold water on a delicate cycle. Heat and heavy spinning can cause shrinkage and matting. Clear detergents are preferred, as they tend to leave less residue.

Smaller rugs can generally be washed at home, while larger sizes may require a commercial machine with greater capacity. Oversized rugs are best maintained through spot cleaning only. Always follow your washing machine's recommended capacity, as overloading can affect both cleaning performance and the machine itself.

A small amount of shrinkage, typically up to 5%, is a normal characteristic of washable natural fibre rugs.

Air Dry Naturally

Lay the rug flat to air dry, away from direct sunlight and high heat. Drying usually takes 12 to 36 hours.

If creases are visible after unpacking, using a hand-held steamer may also help the fibres relax and the rug settle more quickly.

The first few washes may leave some loose fibres in the washing machine. This is expected and will reduce over time.

For hand-knotted wool rugs, washing and everyday use may gradually soften and open the yarn, creating a fuller, more relaxed surface.

Understanding Shedding

Like all natural fibre rugs, your New Zealand wool rug will shed. This is usually most noticeable during the first four months, then reduces to a lower ongoing level. It does not affect the rug's durability or feel.

Our anti-shed treatment helps reduce shedding by holding many loose fibres to the rug's backing, though some ongoing shedding is a natural characteristic of wool.

What is normal

More shedding during the first few months, reducing over time.
Loose fibres collecting on the surface or around the edges between vacuums.
Slight changes in how the fibres sit as the rug settles with use.
For hand-knotted wool rugs, minor fibre or thread breakage over time.

How to manage it

Vacuum gently and more frequently during the first few months.
Use a lint roller to collect loose fibres between vacuums.
Do not pull at loose fibres. Allow them to come away naturally.

If you prefer a rug with no shedding, our recycled polyester range may be a better fit.
Natural Characteristics of Wool When damp, hand-knotted wool and natural jute rugs may also release a subtle wool scent from the natural lanolin in the fibres. This is temporary and will disappear as the rug dries.

Commercial Washing Machine Guide

We recommend using a front-loading washing machine only for all New Zealand Wool rugs for the best results. Fibres can snag in top-loading washing machines, which can lead to matting, increased shedding and overall wear over time.