Wool is a luxurious material that is perfect for rugs, offering a degree of natural stain resistance and durability for heavy foot traffic. In the first few weeks after you purchase a high-quality wool rug for your home, you may notice small tufts of wool coming loose from the pile or gathering into tufts on the rug's surface.
The appearance of these excess fibres sometimes leaves owners concerned that their rug isn’t quite what they expected. This initial shedding is completely normal with a new rug, and will stop by itself as the rug settles into place. In fact, shedding is a good indicator of quality, as real wool fibres shed more than synthetic fibres when the rug first becomes part of your home.
There are a few reasons why recently purchased rugs shed loose fibres. It's important to take care of a shedding wool rug carefully, particularly when removing loose fibres, so as to help the rug settle more quickly. With the right approach, owners can reduce shedding, preserve the rug and help it to enjoy a longer lifespan.
What Causes Wool Rugs to Shed?
Shedding occurs as a wool rug gets used to changes in humidity. The wool will initially absorb moisture because the humidity levels in your home will naturally differ from the environment the rug was in before you bought it. This can cause fibres to pile together.
In most cases, these will be the remaining loose fibres that are created during the manufacturing process. Short fibres are trapped in the rug during weaving or tufting and will work themselves loose as the pile settles.
The natural properties of wool fibres can also contribute to shedding. Wool fibres have a relatively short staple length compared to many synthetic fibres, and this means some fibres are more likely to work loose, particularly in the early life of the rug.
Shedding is especially common with handtufted rugs, which tend to shed more because the fibres are not all anchored equally tightly into the weave. High-quality, handknotted rugs have fewer loose fibres thanks to the tight knots, which leads to minimal shedding. In either case, the shedding of these fibres won't leave any visible gaps on the rug itself.
The amount of shedding will depend on the specific rug, and while deeper pile may mean that the shedding is more visible, it doesn't effect how long it will take for an individual piece to stop shedding. On the other hand, if the rug is placed under furniture or in a high traffic area, the friction can encourage loose fibres to detach. This means that areas with heavier use will shed more noticeably.
Rugs will shed until any remaining fibres and tufts have been removed. However, while it might be tempting to vacuum the rug regularly to remove these loose fibres and stop the shedding process, this can actually increase shedding and, in some cases, damage the rug. Waiting until a wool rug stops shedding naturally is the best way to avoid damaging the pile, and taking extra care with maintenance during the first few weeks is the best way to maximise the lifespan of a rug and enjoy it for years to come.
Tips to Reduce Shedding and fibre Loss
To take the best care of your rug when you first bring it home, avoid disturbing the pile as much as possible for the first few weeks. This can aggravate the shedding and pull loose fibres that were otherwise woven in tightly.
You should vacuum a new wool rug as little as possible, and only on the lowest setting available. If your vacuum cleaner has a beater bar or rotating brush, disable it before vacuuming the rug. Otherwise, long fibres can become tangled and torn loose. If you need to remove shed fibres, shaking out the rug is a good way to detangle loose tufts without loosening any that are still attached.
Using an underlay can also protect your rug's fibres and prevent excess shedding, although it won't stop the shedding altogether.
Shop Now
If you're considering a wool rug, don't be concerned by the risk of shedding. Investing in a high-quality rug from a reliable manufacturer means you can be sure of its quality and trust that any light shedding will stop once the rug acclimatises to the humidity of your home. Our blog post on the benefits of wool rugs outlines the key reasons to consider a wool rug and the advantages of natural fibres.
With proper care, wool is a perfect material to bring a lasting sense of elegance to a space. Wool rugs are suitable for everything from quiet spaces in the home to high-traffic areas in commercial locations. Available in everything from modern geometric styles to traditional Persian designs, the range of wool rugs at Rugs.ie has something for every taste. Shop now to find a piece that works for you.
