The rug of your dreams has finally shown up on your doorstep! It’s normal, once you’ve received your rug, to joyfully rip open the packaging and lay the rug down right away—we share your enthusiasm.
However, before you dive in, take a moment and keep reading! In this, the first of our rug guides, you’ll pick up some pointers to make sure those first few days with your rug go as smoothly as possible, literally as well as figuratively. Here are our best tips for unfurling the curl, conquering the crease, taking that maiden voyage with the vacuum, and more!
Unpacking Your Rug
Laying down your rug isn’t rocket science, but there is an art to it, to lessen any curls and creases and help the fibers spring to life.
Remove the rug from its packaging promptly. If there are any curls or creases, work them out by gently bending them in the opposite direction. Place a stack of books on top of any areas that require flattening and let them sit for 24 hours.
Place your rug and rug pad in the desired spot. We strongly recommend a rug pad to protect your floors, help your rug hold up to wear and tear, and help prevent slips and falls.
Place a stack of books on the corners or any spot that needs help flattening. If it’s still not laying flat, no worries! It should relax within a week or so.
Shedding: It’s Temporary
Shedding is normal for wool and natural fiber rugs at first, and will decrease over time. To help manage shedding and preserve the beauty of your rug:
Vacuum with care. Be sure to use a low or upholstery setting. Raise the rotating brush of your vacuum (sometimes called a beater bar) to ensure you don’t create too much friction: it can damage delicate natural fibers and/or pull them from the rug’s backing.
Trim, don’t pull. If loose fibers poke up out of the rug’s surface (called “sprouting”), this is normal. Don’t pull these as it will cause the surface of the rug to look fuzzy. Instead, using sharp scissors, trim loose fibers down to the surface of the rug. Sweep your hand over the surface of the rug to gently catch other loose fibers.
Pair your rug with a rug pad. It’ll protect from wear and tear, as well as dirt and moisture.
Each Rug Is Unique
Our rugs are individually crafted; no two are exactly alike. Color differences may occur depending on lighting, and are common in natural fiber rugs made from organic material. Because your rug is hand cut, you might see some very slight variations between your rug dimensions and the original specs.
Air It Out
Synthetic rugs may have an odor when first opened. This is a normal process known as off-gassing, and the smell should dissipate within a week or so. If needed, air out your rug either outdoors or in a well-ventilated room.
We hope you’ll love living with your new rug as much as we loved bringing it to you! Don’t forget to let us know how it’s going by writing a review of your purchase.
