Wool Facts & Buying Guide
If you’re looking for soft, cozy warmth you can sink your toes into, look no further than wool rugs. Equal parts luxurious and durable, these design classics are a must-have element for any home style.
About Wool Rugs
Wool rugs are made from the soft spun wool of sheep. Naturally durable and resilient, wool rugs make a great choice for high-traffic areas of the home like the living room and dining room, yet are soft enough for the bedroom. Wool area rugs come in a full range of vibrant color, shapes and sizes, and work with any decorating style.
Where to use wool rugs:
- Anchor a living room seating area with a large wool rug.
- Roll out a wool runner in a long hallway.
- Warm up a cozy dining space with a wool area rug.
- Layer a large wool area rug over wall-to-wall carpeting in an apartment.
- Keep toes toasty in the bedroom with a wool rug.
Benefits of wool rugs:
- Durable and resilient. Wool is a very elastic fiber, which means it easily springs back to its natural shape, even after being crushed or stretched.
- Warm and insulating. Wool makes a cozy, warm rug material for the same reasons it’s preferred for sweaters — it acts like a thermal blanket, trapping little pockets of air within the dense fibers.
- Natural and renewable. Sheared sheep can provide wool fleeces year after year, making wool a natural and renewable material.
- Repels dirt. The natural structure of wool helps prevent dirt from getting embedded deep within the fibers, which means wool rugs tend to need less cleaning than some synthetic varieties.
- Water-resistant. When accidental spills happen, wool has an amazing ability to let the liquid bead up and roll off the surface.
- Flame resistant. Wool has natural flame resistance, which means that while it can certainly still catch fire, 100% wool rugs will not rapidly ignite, and the fibers do not melt.
Decorating with Wool Rugs
Wool is one of the oldest fabrics in the world, used for warmth and garments for thousands of years. Like silk and linen — other fabrics with a long, rich history — wool has an enduring beauty and utility that has stood the test of time. Today, wool is produced in many regions throughout the world, with New Zealand and Argentine wools considered among the best.
Interior designers and decorators love wool rugs for their luxuriously soft feel, rich color palette, and long-lasting structure. Wool rugs are available in a range of pile heights, with flat-woven and low to medium pile being the most common.
Styles and colors to look for:
- Traditional: For a classic look, you can’t go wrong with a traditional or oriental style wool rug in rich hues.
- Contemporary: Complement a fresh, modern style with geometric prints and artful abstract designs.
- Warm Neutrals: Elegant and easy to work with, warm neutrals like tan, ivory and brown make a beautiful base for your color scheme.
- Cool Blues and Grays: These popular hues look of-the-moment without being overly trendy.
- Wool Blends: While pure wool rugs are gorgeous, they can be expensive — especially in larger sizes! To get the natural feel of a wool rug that still works within your budget, look for a rug with a blend of wool and synthetic fibers. These blended fiber rugs can also sometimes offer additional stain protection.
Styling and Care Tips for Wool Rugs
Disadvantages to keep in mind:
Wool is absorbent, which means it’s not a good choice for the bathroom or other areas with high humidity. Wool rugs do tend to shed, but the shedding is normal and will diminish over time. Wool rugs are expensive compared to synthetic rugs, but can be longer lasting with proper care.
Keep your wool rug looking fabulous with these simple care and maintenance tips:
- Wool rugs should be cleaned with a neutral detergent and dried quickly. A good example of this is Dawn® dishwashing liquid mixed with water.
- Do not use "oxy" cleaners on wool rugs. They will fade the dye in the rug.
- If an all-over cleaning is required we recommend professional steam cleaning by a dedicated rug-cleaning service.
- Do not use laundry detergents to clean wool rugs. The laundry detergent will leave a residue and alter color shades.
Wool rugs can work beautifully with any style. Here are a few ideas for styling your wool rug with your decorating look in mind:
- Wool rugs should be cleaned with a neutral detergent and dried quickly. A good example of this is Dawn® dishwashing liquid mixed with water.
- Do not use "oxy" cleaners on wool rugs. They will fade the dye in the rug.
- If an all-over cleaning is required we recommend professional steam cleaning by a dedicated rug-cleaning service.
- Do not use laundry detergents to clean wool rugs. The laundry detergent will leave a residue and alter color shades.
Find Your Perfect Wool Area Rug
Ready to get shopping? Use these shortcuts to narrow down your search results and find the perfect wool rug for you.
