Rugs buying guide

Rugs

Area rugs can add the perfect finishing touches to any room. They are a great accessory to update the décor of a room, make a functional room fun or add style and comfort.

Tesco offer an extensive collection of rugs in various styles, colours, textures and sizes to suit all tastes.

Materials

  • Wool

    Wool rugs are hardwearing and resilient to flattening. They are environmentally friendly and made from sustainable fibres. Wool rugs can be either machine-made or handmade.

  • Jute, sisal and coir

    These are natural grass fibres which are generally flat-woven to produce extremely strong, durable rugs and doormats. And, since the fibres are processed without the addition of harsh chemicals, the production of these rugs is also environmentally friendly.

  • Polypropylene

    Polypropylene is a man-made fibre offering hardwearing properties and excellent resistance to staining. It is bleach cleanable and also has good resistance to colour fading and unlike wool, does not shed fibres. Polypropylene rugs are usually machine-made.

  • Acrylic

    Acrylic is another hardwearing man-made fibre offering a softer and more luxurious feel than polypropylene. Acrylic rugs are usually handmade and the pile is sometimes hand-carved to highlight the design and to create texture.

  • Polyester

    Polyester is a man-made fibre with a silky feel and shiny appearance. It is often used to produce thick luxurious pile rugs. It can be used to produce machine-made or handmade rugs.

  • Viscose

    Viscose is a shiny man-made fibre usually blended with other materials to create different textures and highlights.

  • Chenille

    Chenille is a unique process whereby short lengths of fabric are wrapped around a core yarn. The edges of the fabric stand at a right angle giving the chenille both its softness and unique look. Chenille yarns can be made in cotton, rayon or olefin fibres.

Types of construction

  • Machine-made rugs

    Machine-made rugs are usually volume produced using the traditional Wilton woven process on modern looms. They can be made from either wool or polypropylene fibres.

  • Handmade rugs

    Handmade rugs are hand-tufted, hand-woven or hand-knotted. These processes allow for greater colour and design options and are usually produced in smaller quantities.

    The quality of a rug is measured by the material it's made of, the pile thickness, the type of construction and also by its design.

Suitability

Before you buy your rug you should consider the following:

  • Where is the rug going to go?
  • Will it be used mainly for décor and comfort?
  • Will it be used to protect areas of heavy wear?
  • Is stain resistance important?
  • Will it be in direct sunlight?

Always make sure you check the area you're buying the rug for and remember you might need to buy an anti-slip underlay - this will keep the rug in place and increase safety too by reducing the risk of slipping.

General care and maintenance

  • Rotate your rug on a regular basis, especially if exposed to direct sunlight - this will avoid bleaching or fading.
  • Vacuum regularly - regular cleaning helps prevent dirt and grit on the surface of the rug filtering down into the pile and damaging the fibres which can cause premature wear.
  • Shaggy rugs benefit from a good shake to invigorate the pile. This is best done outside.
  • Some rugs, such as wool rugs, will shed some fibres during use and when vacuuming, especially in the first few months. This is a characteristic of wool rugs and is not considered a manufacturing fault.
  • Spills or stains - blot up the excess spills with a cloth or paper towel. Do not rub under any circumstance, as it can spread the stain and damage the fibres. Start by working from the outer edge to the centre with a carpet cleaner and cloth. Once clean pat the excess moisture with a paper towel and allow it to dry. On stubborn stains it may be necessary to repeat the process a few times until the stain is completely removed.