· By ZenRug
Do Wool Rugs Shed? Why It Happens and How to Stop It
Yes, most new wool rugs shed a little. It is normal, it does not mean the rug is poorly made, and with the right care it settles within weeks.
Why wool rugs shed
When a hand-knotted rug is finished, the pile is trimmed to an even height. Short pieces of wool from the trimming and from spinning stay caught in the pile, and they work their way out as the rug is walked on and vacuumed. Wool is a natural fiber of different lengths, so some loose fibers are part of every new wool rug.
A deep pile, like the 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) of our rugs, holds more of them, so you may notice a little more fluff at first than with a flat-woven rug.
How long does it last?
Usually a few weeks to a few months, depending on how much the rug is walked on and how often it is vacuumed. Shedding slows steadily and then stops. A good wool rug does not keep shedding for years; heavy, endless shedding is a sign of poor-quality wool.
How to reduce shedding
- Vacuum once or twice a week on low suction, without the rotating brush (beater bar).
- Vacuum in the direction of the pile, and keep off the fringe.
- Use a rug pad: it reduces friction from below and keeps the rug still.
- Shake a small rug or runner outside now and then.
- Never pull loose fibers that stick out: trim them level with scissors.
What makes it worse
- Strong suction and rotating brushes, which pull at the pile.
- Scrubbing, steam cleaning or soaking the rug.
- Pulling at loose ends instead of trimming them.
Questions, answered
Will my rug go bald if it sheds?
No. The fibers that come out are loose trimmings. The knotted pile stays in place, and a hand-knotted wool rug lasts for decades.
