Frequently Asked Questions

We love talking rugs– and more! If you don’t find your question answered below or in our FAQ give us a shout us here. We’ll respond within 2-3 business days.



General

  • What’s the difference between your rugs?

    We have two main rug categories: one-of-a-kind rugs and Studio Revival rugs.

    One-of-a-kind rugs are, you guessed it, one-of-a-kind! This means only one of them exists and it cannot be re-made or replicated. So if you like it, buy it—it’s your only chance.

    Our one-of-a-kind rugs fall into one of three categories, based on their age.

    • Vintage one-of-a-kind rugs range from 20 to 100 years old and are sourced in partnership with collectors across Turkey and Morocco, closely inspected by our team, carefully cleaned, and photographed in our in-country studios. Some vintage rugs undergo a second dyeing process to give the colors added vibrancy, if our buying team deems it necessary. Our buying team also has a rigorous intake process in which they describe each rug’s color, patterns, provenance, and style, so we can pass this information on to you.
    • Lightly used one-of-a-kind rugs range from 5 to 20 years old. These are labeled “Lightly Used” under the age category on their respective product pages. Like our vintage rugs, lightly used rugs are professionally cleaned. Age-related wear and natural inconsistencies are inherent to these unique, handcrafted pieces.
    • New one-of-a-kind rugs were woven recently, have not been used in a home, and are also sourced in partnership with collectors and weavers across Turkey, India, and Morocco. They’re closely inspected by our team, and photographed and described in our in-country studios. We started making Studio Revival rugs as a complement to our one-of-a-kind pieces. These editions come in multiples and you can shop them in a variety of sizes and designs. For some, custom sizing is also available.

    To make our in-house rugs, we take everything we’ve learned from sourcing thousands of vintage rugs and apply these learnings when collaborating with trusted partners. This means you can expect the same high quality as our vintage rugs. Our collections are made under ethical conditions, use all-natural and recycled materials, and are dyed with lab-tested, eco-friendly, azo-free dyes.

    Our new rugs are woven with the same exacting artisanal standards as our vintage pieces. By operating in-country in India, Morocco, and Turkey we are able to vet our weaving partners closely and visit them on a monthly basis to ensure their facilities and practices meet our ethical and eco-standards. As a minimum requirement, the larger weaving houses we work with must be certified by one or more of the following internationally recognized organizations: GoodWeave India, Craft Mark, Fairtrade, and/or Social Accountability International.

    Some of our best-selling Studio Revival collections are our washable rugs, which are made in Turkey and India with wool, recycled polyester, and upcycled cotton.

  • What’s the difference between handwoven, hand-knotted, hand-loomed, hand-tufted, and machine-made?

    From handwoven to machine-woven, there's a use case for every rug type: it just depends on your needs and priorities. We're democratic when it comes to rugs’ material, design, and place of origin. We recognize that there are some tradeoffs between selling price and construction.

    Handwoven rugs are meticulously made by hand, with foundations in which the horizontal weft yarn is interlaced onto vertical warp yarn. Without a pile knotted onto this foundation, the resulting rug is called a flatweave or, in Turkish, kilim. The warp yarn at the ends of the loom is what forms the fringe of the rug, and is key to the rug’s integrity. An authentic fringe is a telltale sign of a quality, handwoven rug.

    Hand-knotted rugs are rugs with knots that are individually knotted by hand onto the rug’s foundation as the rug is being woven to create a pile.

    Hand-loomed rugs are pile rugs made on a loom, with an innovative technique that lifts the warp yarn to create a pile that’s looped or cut.

    Hand-tufted rugs start as a pattern drawn on canvas where yarn is shot in loops onto the canvas with a mechanized "gun" to form a pile, which is then trimmed for a smooth cut-pile finish. To secure the loops, a rubber or latex backing is painted onto the back of the canvas.

    Machine-woven rugs are often made by power looms, and the speed and efficacy with which they can complete a rug makes these pieces highly affordable.

  • Is there a difference between natural and synthetic materials?

    Yes! There are a number of commonly used natural and synthetic materials. Natural materials for rugs typically include sheep wool, goat wool, cotton, jute, hemp, and silk. Synthetics include nylon, acrylic, viscose, polyester, and polypropylene. We also frequently use recycled materials for our rugs, which can be either natural or synthetic. When we develop products we are mindful of the material’s sustainability, and we make a point of using materials that aren’t harmful to people or to the planet, whether natural or synthetic.

  • What rug material should I choose?

    It really depends on the use case.

    • A lot of our rugs are made of wool, which we love for its durability and texture. It also acts as a great noise insulator and is more stain-resistant than other types of materials, so it’s a solid choice for most places in your house or apartment.
    • If you’re placing a rug in a location where you want moisture to be absorbed—for example, near your bathroom—cotton or denim may actually be a preferred choice because it can better absorb moisture.
    • If you want something that’s a little more water-resistant, like an outdoor rug, or something that can withstand harsh weather, synthetics are a better choice. All of our outdoor-indoor rugs are made with synthetic material—like recycled PET— because it’s designed to be more rugged for all weather conditions.
    • Similarly, though not designed for outdoors, recycled polyester rugs are highly durable, mildew-resistant, and machine-washable. This makes them a good choice for parents, pet-parents, or if you’re worried about spills.
    • Jute rugs aren’t great with moisture or water, but are good if you need something both elegant and durable. They work in high-traffic areas, as well as for layering under vintage rugs.
  • Do you use chemicals in your rugs?

    The rugs that are salable on our site have been tested and confirmed to be free of any harmful chemicals, herbicides, or pesticides. Both our Studio Revival and vintage collections are not treated with any harmful chemicals such as flame-resistant coatings, and according to our tests, do not contain PFAs.

    Vintage rugs: Some of our collections have undergone a second dyeing process which can utilize synthetic and natural dyes. We can confirm that any dyes used are always AZO-free and are lab-tested for safety.

    Studio Revival rugs: Many of our Studio Revival rugs are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 approved, which means every component has been rigorously tested against a list of up to 350 toxic chemicals, including PFAs (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds). We do professional quality control with an accredited international testing agency on the rugs we design. We use low-impact dyes for our designs which involve color. This means that our dyes are azo-free with no heavy metals, and higher absorption rates than conventional dyes, creating less gray water run-off and reduced water consumption.

    If you have any concerns about synthetic dyes, we suggest looking towards our Studio Revival rugs that don't use any dyes at all, such as the original Hart jute rug, our Sweater rug in Oat, the Dream Collection, the Saville Collection, and our Pachacamac, Teotihuacán, and Oaxaca rugs.

  • How thick are Revival Rugs?

    Our rugs vary in thickness depending on their construction and processes. Rug thickness is determined by pile height, which refers to the length of the fibers that stick up from your rug. All of our product descriptions have notes on the rug’s pile height, as well as close-up shots to help you understand texture. Below is a handy guide to rug pile heights.

     

    Pile height Dimensions
    Flatweave or kilim Approximately .15” or 3-4mm thick
    Low Pile Less than ¼” or 6.35mm thick
    Medium Pile ¼” to ½” or 6.35-12.7 mm thick
    High Pile ½” to ¾” or 12.7-19 mm thick
    Plush Pile, also known as shag Longer than ¾” thick

    We pride ourselves on the thickness of our washable rugs, which ranges from medium pile (½” thick) for our recycled polyester to high pile (¾” thick) for our washable wool. We also make recycled denim washable rugs—these are flatwoven, which means they have no pile and are about 8mm thick.

    Many of our vintage rugs from Turkey are considered low pile rugs, which means they are less than ¼” thick. We hand-shear these rugs as part of the Revival process. All rugs naturally “fuzz” over time with use, and shearing reveals an even surface layer. The lower pile also reveals parts of the woven foundation which gives the rug a more muted, textured color palette and adds to its vintage appeal.

    Many of our rugs from Morocco are shag rugs, which means they’re over ¾” thick. Moroccan wool is locally sourced and produces a thick, strong pile that feels soft underfoot. Over time this hand-processed wool has reacted to its various environments, acquiring an untamed, nubby look and feel.

    If you have questions about whether you think you need a rug pad or not—you do! It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your rug, regardless of its thickness.

  • Can I be sure that the color of the rug in photos will be the same in person?

    Color is tricky, because lighting and screen settings can change how it appears. We do our best to make sure rug colors are represented as accurately as possible. The photos that we take of our rugs are color-corrected to match the actual color of the rug as seen in person, in natural daylight. Keep in mind that if the lighting conditions in your home aren't consistent with natural daylight, the colors will appear slightly different than on the website.

    Also, be aware that for rugs with a higher pile, colors may seem more or less intense depending on which side the rug is viewed from. This is because knotted rugs are created upright on a vertical loom where the weaver pulls down on each knot before trimming the yarn. This positions the yarn to lean slightly to one direction and away from the other, so if you are viewing where the pile is angled towards you, the rug will appear lighter—and if you are viewing the rug from the other end where the pile is oriented away from you, the colors will appear slightly more saturated. The effect becomes more pronounced as the pile height increases.

    There may be slight variations in what you see on your computer depending on the screen’s color, contrast, and brightness. Within the product descriptions, we will also note any inherent color variations.

    Here are a few suggestions for getting an accurate sense of each rug’s color:

    • Zoom in on the overhead shot to get a better sense of the color and details. The overhead is generally the first, main image.
    • Keep in mind that often the overhead photo for our vintage rugs can appear more muted. From afar the colors of the yarn used to weave the rug can blend with any white that may come through from the foundation, which can give the overall appearance of more muted tones.
    • Double-check the close-up images (typically the last two). These are generally most precise in terms of color and brightness
    • Refer to the color palette bullet in the product details section for a detailed list of color nuance and undertones
    • Some product pages have video—watch this for a better understanding of the rug’s colors in different lighting scenarios.
    • Use our view in your room feature. This augmented reality tool is on every product page and allows you to visualize the rug in your space, which should give you a sense of the color, too. Navigate to the product page you’re interested in, upload a photo of your room, and wait for the rendering to populate. View in your room is not a gimmick – it’s highly effective to visualize rugs in your space before purchase and we encourage you to give it a try with your mobile phone or on a desktop.
    • Finally, if you have a question about what a color description means or any other details for a specific rug, please always feel free to reach out to us.

    If the color of your new rug is not what you were expecting, we are happy to work with you to get you the color you had envisioned. Email us at here and we will respond within 2-3 business day. We’d love to help you select a replacement rug, and if you don’t find anything you love, processing a return or issuing a store credit for a future rug is very easy through our return portal. Please refer to our "Shipping & Returns" section for more details.

  • My rug has an imperfection. Why?

    Our vintage rugs have natural wear and tear, but we think these imperfections only add to the beauty and timelessness of the rug. You may notice slight discolorations on the underside of the rug, but we ensure that the front-facing design of the rug meets all our standards for quality and does not detract from the overall aesthetic. Vintage rugs that have any markings apart from natural wear and tear (e.g., any small markings or stains) will have additional notes on the product's page. If you have concerns, please contact us here.

    All handmade objects are imperfect, and our rugs are no exception. This is particularly true with our handwoven rugs, but both handwoven rugs and machine-woven rugs can be expected to vary in size by a few inches, so keep this in mind when you measure.

  • What are the benefits of buying a vintage rug?

    There are many benefits! Rug purists love that vintage rugs honor a rich tradition of artisan tapestry makers who meticulously weave and knot a rug by hand. Some purchase vintage because they favor the authenticity and elegance of a gently faded, worn-in look. It’s also viewed as a way to reduce our carbon footprint by reclaiming a rug that is still in perfectly usable condition.

    Regardless of the reason, the age and history of a vintage rug make a beautiful statement piece. The traditional handwoven, naturally-dyed process is labor intensive, but it produces a rug that in the end is durable and ages gracefully.

  • What’s the Revival process for vintage rugs? Are your rugs professionally cleaned?

    All of our vintage rugs go through an extensive selection, preparation, and cleaning process to ensure that the quality is what you expect from a vintage rug. Learn more about that process below, and keep in mind that given the vintage nature of our rugs, natural imperfections are to be expected.

    Nearly all of our vintage rugs are kept in their natural state, their vibrant color, pattern, and style make a strong visual statement independent of any further processing; these remain as-is. Some rugs we select to be Overdyed based on their patterns. While the rugs retain their original visual structure, our dyes update a faded or outdated color scheme to a more monotone, on-trend palette that can easily be worked into any interior.

    • Selection: All of our vintage rugs are handpicked from villages in Turkey and Morocco where we inspect their quality and durability. After this initial assessment, we receive them at our cleaning and processing facility.
    • Tumbling: We use the same cleaning techniques that have been used for centuries to ensure the integrity and lifespan of the rug. In Turkey, rugs are placed inside a traditional piece of equipment to undergo tumble dusting (imagine an octagonal cylinder with slotted openings). As the tumble dusting chamber rotates gently back and forth, the rug’s woven foundation bends and moves to dislodge, agitate, and effectively remove any dust.
    • Shearing: The pile of our knotted vintage Turkish rugs are all made of 100% wool fibers, which naturally “fuzz” over time with use. These are hand-sheared using a rug shearing tool to even the surface layer in preparation for washing and dyeing. Our Moroccan vintage pieces are not sheared.
    • Washing: Next, our vintage rugs are saturated with water before a gentle, pH-balanced cleansing shampoo is applied. A broom with soft bristles is used to hand-scrub each rug before it is rinsed thoroughly of all residue. This shampoo-scrubbing process is repeated 3 times. This seemingly simple process is so effective that it has been relied upon for centuries. Steam cleaning and dry cleaning can actually damage a wool rug, due to harsh chemicals that can break down the wool.
    • Drying: After the vintage rugs have been cleaned, they’re line-dried in a shaded area as the wool takes on its new vibrancy.
    • Mending: For the final step, our Revival artisans inspect every inch of the rug for any need of repair. Vintage rugs that require repairs are brought to our repair partners, where the rugs are carefully mended.
  • What can I expect from a vintage Revival Rug? What materials and dyes are used?

    Not all vintage rugs are created equally. We carefully curate our one-of-a-kind collection to ensure that you’re getting a quality vintage piece that’s aged beautifully and retained its durability. Your rug merited our selection, and we think you’ll love it as much as we do.

    The vintage rugs that we select are entirely woven by hand. Our knotted rugs with a pile are hand-knotted onto the handwoven foundation. This means that an experienced weaver has inserted the wool strands into the foundation of the rug (an intersection of the handwoven “warp” and “weft” threads) and tied each knot by hand. The warp strings at the end of the loom are what create the fringe, which signals the integrity of the rug. Together, the knots form the pile of the rug. Slight variations in the weave lend to the rug’s authenticity and uniqueness. This tedious process also ensures that the knots are secure and the quality is closely monitored by the weaver at all times.

    Most of our vintage pieces also use 100% handspun wool because we love its durability and texture. The process of handspinning wool prevents the wool fibers from breaking, and also allows the fibers to retain their natural lanolin oil that gives the rug some protection from staining. Unlike machine-spun wool, handspun wool is also less uniform, creating a gentle color gradation when the wool is dyed. This imparts depth and a sense of authenticity and unique character to the color palette. Our Turkish pieces are doubly secured using the Turkish double-knot.

  • What’s the difference between vintage and antique?

    While both terms refer to an item that is old, there are differences. “Antique” refers to an item that is more than 100 years old. This is also the legal definition that US Customs uses.

    According to most experts, “vintage” (sometimes also referred to as semi-antique) is used to describe something that’s at least 20 years old, but less than 100 years old. It’s not antique yet, but is still a long-treasured piece that has been carefully worn and stood the test of time. We’re sure that with proper care, our vintage rugs will become antique pieces that your family will treasure for years to come.

  • What are the white areas/ patches that are visible on some of your vintage Turkish rugs?

    These are gently worn-in areas which expose the rug’s foundation, but they’re not threadbare nor do they compromise the structure of the rug. This distressed element both looks timeless and enhances the piece’s fine construction.

  • Why does my vintage rug have white dots?

    Some vintage rugs have visible tie-offs that look like white dots. They are part of the handmade process and occur where weavers tie off strings from the warp that can break during hand-weaving. They do not compromise the integrity of the rug in any way, and can be more pronounced with low-pile shaven rugs.

  • What are the zig-zag marks that appear on some vintage rugs?

    Zig-zag marks, not uncommon on vintage Turkish rugs, are from the rug’s original construction and reflect tie-offs of the cotton foundation/weft. When present, they indicate that the rug was most likely woven by several people who consistently worked on the rug to completion. The weavers most likely handled the weaving within their own designated section, rather than changing their seated position multiple times as they moved across horizontally to knot the rug. The subsequent knots with zig-zag patterns show where the cotton thread was reconnected between each pass-off between weavers.

  • What’s the best way to care for my Revival rug?
    Wool Rugs
    • We recommend that you regularly vacuum your rug to remove dirt and grime. Depending on how heavily your rug is used, just once or twice a month is adequate. Too much vacuuming can wear down the knots and fibers more quickly. If you have a suction attachment on your vacuum cleaner, use that instead of a rotary vacuum.
    • Every few months, you’ll also want to flip your rug over and vacuum the back to get the grit out of the foundation of the rug. It also helps to rotate your rug once a year to ensure even wear over time.
    • Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed. Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
    Wool Shag Rugs
    • Dust and dirt that accumulate in your rug can erode the fibers over time. The best way to combat this is to take your rug outside and give it a good shake every couple of weeks. Depending on how large it is, you may need to recruit a friend to help. Also, be sure to get a rug pad—this helps to preserve your rug in spite of dirt.
    • If shaking it out isn’t possible, you can vacuum it instead. Don’t use a rotary vacuum, because it can damage the fibers. Once or twice a month, use the suction attachment gently, from side to side. Once or twice a year, flip your rug over and vacuum the back. To ensure equal wear and protect against walk patterns, change your rug's direction every six months.
    • Once a year, let it sunbathe. Hang it in the sun for a few hours when it’s hottest, and flip it over midway through, to expose both sides to direct sunlight. This sun-bleaching helps further sanitize the wool. It’s a natural method to bleach and deodorize it.
    • Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed. Please do not take it to get steam or dry cleaned as this will almost certainly damage the rug! Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
    Cotton Rugs
    • Vacuum your rug regularly to prevent dust and crumbs from settling into the roots of the fibers.
    • Avoid direct and continuous exposure to sunlight. Use rug protectors under the legs of heavy furniture to avoid flattening the pile.
    • Do not pull loose ends—trim with scissors to remove.
    • Rotate your rug every 6 months to a year to ensure even wear over time.
    Denim Rugs
    • When it's time for a deeper clean, machine wash your rug on delicate with 1 TBSP of gentle detergent. Line dry afterwards, and iron if you wish.
    • For sizes 6x9 and above, we recommend using a 60-lb washing machine—the large kind you find at a laundromat—rather than a home washing machine, which is usually 20-25 lbs. Line dry afterwards.
    • If your rug is heavily soiled, we suggest you dry clean it instead of wash.
    • As with most non-synthetic textiles, natural fiber and color softening will occur after washing. We prefer this lived-in look, but if it's not your thing, we recommend dry cleaning.
    Recycled PET Rugs
    • Shake gently to remove debris, and clean regularly using a non-rotary vacuum.
    • Rotate on occasion to ensure even wear over time.
    • Wash after 1-2 years of use by brushing lightly with slightly soapy water, or rinsing off with a hose.
    • When spot cleaning, scrub softly: too much rubbing can cause pilling.
    • Please note that these rugs can retain moisture if not dried completely. If your rug is outdoors and becomes exposed to heavy rain, we recommend letting the rug hang to dry. Do not dry clean, machine wash or machine dry.
    Jute Rugs
    • Clean regularly with a non-rotary, low-powered vacuum. Do not use a beater brush.
    • Rotate your rug on occasion to ensure even wear over time.
    • Keep away from excessive moisture.
    • Do not dry clean or steam clean.
    • Professional cleaning recommended as needed.
    Washable Recycled Polyester Rugs
    • When it's time for a deeper clean, machine wash your rug with like colors on delicate with 1 TBSP of gentle detergent. Line dry afterwards.
    • For sizes 5'x 8' and above, we recommend using a 60-lb washing machine - the large kind you find at a laundromat - rather than a home washing machine, which is usually 20-25 lbs. For sizes 9'x12' and above, spot cleaning is best
    • Preferably line dry. Alternatively, tumble dry on no heat or low heat setting.
    • If your rug is heavily soiled, or if It's tough to find a laundromat, we suggest you dry clean it instead.
    Washable Wool Rugs
    • Hot tip: when you receive your rug, put it in the dryer for 10 minutes on low heat to remove any creases.
    • Clean regularly with a non-rotary, low powered vacuum without a beater brush
    • Wash your rug separately with mild detergent (e.g. Woolite) on a gentle cycle at 86°F. Do not use fabric softener or bleach. Tumble dry low; remove promptly.
    • The first few times you wash your rug, there will be some fluff left in the washing machine. Don’t be alarmed; this will lessen and ultimately stop. The yarn continues to open after washing, making the rug fluffier with time.
    • For sizes 6'x9' and 8’x10’, we recommend using a 60-lb washing machine (the large kind you find at a laundromat) rather than a home washing machine, which is usually 20-25 lbs. For sizes 9'x12' and above, spot cleaning is best.
    Vintage Rugs
    Vintage Turkish
    • With regular care, your rug will last for decades to come. If you’ve owned synthetic rugs in the past, you might find that our wool rugs sometimes look cleaner for longer periods of time. Wool rugs have tiny natural grooves that allow dirt to settle in.
    • We recommend that you regularly vacuum your rug with a non-rotary vacuum to remove dirt and grime. Depending on how heavily your rug is used, just once or twice a month is adequate. Too much vacuuming can wear down the knots and fibers more quickly. If you have a suction attachment on your vacuum cleaner, use that instead of a rotary vacuum. Every few months, you’ll also want to flip your rug over and vacuum the back to get the grit out of the foundation of the rug. It also helps to rotate your rug once a year to ensure even wear over time.
    • Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed. Please do not take it to get steam or dry cleaned—this will almost certainly damage the rug! Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
    Vintage Moroccan Rugs
    • Dust and dirt that accumulate in your rug can erode the fibers over time. The best way to combat this is to take your rug outside and give it a good shake once a week. Depending on how large it is, you may need to recruit a friend to help. Also, be sure to get a rug pad—this helps to preserve your rug in spite of dirt.
    • If shaking it out isn’t possible, you can vacuum it instead—just be cautious, and don’t use a rotary vacuum, because it can damage the fibers. Once or twice a month, use the suction attachment gently, from side to side. Once or twice a year, flip your rug over and vacuum the back.
    • Once a year, let it sunbathe. Hang it in the sun for a few hours when it’s hottest, and flip it over midway through, to expose both sides to direct sunlight. Sun-bleaching is a natural method that helps further sanitize and deodorize wool.
    • To ensure equal wear and protect against walk patterns, change your rug's direction every 6 months to a year. You can also flip your rug upside-down once in a while, and use it like that for a bit. With Moroccan rugs, the back is typically as nice as the front.
    • Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed by a Moroccan rug expert. Please do not take it to get steam or dry cleaned—this will almost certainly damage the rug! Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
  • Why should I avoid using a rotary vacuum?
    The beater bars in a rotary vacuum (that rolling cylinder brush at the bottom) pry into the carpet fibers by pulling on the rug, thereby loosening dirt more efficiently. While this may sound great, the result is actually increased shedding, possible damage to the wool fibers, and reduced lifespan. It’s especially important to avoid vacuuming the fringes using a vacuum with a bar, as the bar will pull the fringes and may cause unevenness in the weave over time—it’s similar to what happens when a thread on your wool sweater gets caught on your nail.
  • Should I steam or dry clean my rug?

    Generally, no, though it depends on the type of rug you have. We don’t recommend steam cleaning ever, but in certain cases, a dry cleaner could be okay.

    Washable rugs: Sure! If you don’t have a laundromat nearby, feel free to take your washable wool or polyester rug to the dry cleaner.

    Non-washable rugs: No! While it may sound like a great deep cleanse, it could irreversibly damage your rug. Imagine for a moment all the dirt that is trapped inside the grooves of the rug. Now imagine forcing steam into these grooves. The result is a muddy mess. Not only that, the combination of high heat and chemicals will strip the wool fibers of their natural oils. It’s better to find a professional rug cleaner that will hand-wash your rug with a pH-balanced shampoo and a soft-bristled brush. It’s the traditional way to clean a wool rug, and it will help maintain the rug’s luster.

  • What does “washable rug” really mean?

    Our rugs that are labeled “washable” are designed to be cleaned in a washing machine. Our smaller machine washable rugs generally fit into your home washing machine. If you purchase a larger machine-washable rug, it may require a laundromat visit to use an industrial-sized washer. Product and size-specific care instructions are listed on each rug page on the website.

    We also recommend spot-cleaning larger machine washable rugs so that you don’t need to remove all your furniture or roll up the rug. We include specific care instructions on all the washable rug pages on our website. The best method for spot cleaning is the same as what you’d do for a stain:

    • Use a paper towel or clean cloth to blot the spill.
    • Add some clean water sparingly to the spot to dilute the stain and blot.
    • If the stain is persistent, try using a mild clear dishwashing detergent. Check to make sure there’s no citrus in your soap before using; this could bleach your rug.
    • Repeat this process until the stain is removed.

    Please keep in mind that while washable rugs are stain-resistant, they’re not completely immune to stains. With proper care, however, you should find washable rugs easier to clean.

  • I spilled something on my rug. What now?

    You’ll want to consider the difference between natural and synthetic materials when it comes to stain treatment. When a stain occurs, attend to it quickly, but first test any products you’re using on a small, less visible area of the rug. Then follow the below instructions based on your rug’s material and construction:

    Wool rugs:
    • Squirt a small amount of clear unscented dish soap or Woolite in a bowl, and fetch a toothbrush and a clean towel. Dip the toothbrush into a small amount of cold water and start gently scrubbing the affected area. Dip the towel in a small amount of dish soap and dab the area to pull up the stain. Alternate between toothbrush and towel to lift the stain out. Do *not* rub, just gently dab. If the stain does not appear to come up, take your rug to a professional rug cleaner immediately.
    • The goal is to pull the stain up out of the fiber, and wool’s natural lanolin will help with this.
    • For dog urine: do the above and take it to a professional cleaner immediately. Puppy accidents are difficult on wool rugs in particular, and different people have different ideas about how to solve them. There are a few rug-cleaning resources here, here, and here. Regardless, consult an expert, and as you shop, bear this in mind: if you have an accident-prone dog, wool is likely not the right choice.
    Vintage Wool Hand-Knotted Rugs:

    Don’t fret too much—the natural oils in a wool rug, called lanolin, provide the first line of defense in preventing spills from penetrating the fibers quickly. That being said, you still should act quickly.

    • If the spill is organic and non-oily (e.g., wine), use a paper towel or cloth to blot the liquid. Add some clean water sparingly to the spot to dilute the stain (or wet a paper towel or cloth) and blot. Repeat this process until the stain is removed.
    • If the stain is persistent, resist the urge to scrub. Scrubbing can damage the wool fibers and more easily allow the stain to penetrate. You may try using a mild detergent, such as very diluted dishwashing soap, following the same blot-and-rinse procedure.
    • If the spill is a denser, more oily liquid, try first to scoop what you can from the surface using a spoon or perhaps some heavier paper, and then do the blot-and-rinse. If the spill is non-organic and/or composed of chemical substances, or the above methods don’t work, we suggest getting the rug professionally hand-washed as soon as possible.
    Vintage Wool Flatweaves:
    • Blot the spill until it is dry, but do not add liquid.
    • Consult an Oriental rug specialist immediately for cleaning. Adding liquid can make it harder to remove stains, and can even extend them further. This is because moisture travels along the fiber, so in rugs with horizontal fibers (like flatweaves), it can get trapped.
    Cotton rugs:

    Squirt a small amount of clear unscented dish soap or Woolite in a bowl, and fetch a toothbrush and a clean towel. Dip the toothbrush into a small amount of cold water and start gently scrubbing the affected area. Dip the towel in a small amount of dish soap and dab the area to pull up the stain. Alternate between toothbrush and towel to lift the stain out. Do *not* rub, just gently dab. If the stain does not appear to come up, take your rug to a professional rug cleaner immediately.

    Jute/ aloe / sisal / coir / hemp rugs:

    As soon as possible, dip a rag in club soda and dab the area. If the stain persists, take your rug to a professional rug cleaner immediately.

    Polyester / Polypropylene / PET rugs:

    Dip a rag in club soda and dab until the stain comes up. The fiber should not be affected. Our recycled polyester rugs can also be washed in a washing machine.

  • I received my rug and it’s rumpling instead of laying flat. What should I do?

    Our rugs do generally lay flat. However, because of how some of our rugs are stored and shipped, they need a couple of weeks to adjust to their new environment and position. We often don't have time to lay our rugs flat for very long before our photoshoots, so they can even sometimes show the ripples in the product shots. You can lay some heavy books on the rug to help it along.

    If for any reason the rumpling does not come out after a couple of weeks, contact us at here and we’ll take care of you!

  • Do I need a rug pad?

    Yes. We strongly recommend it for all rugs, especially for flatweaves, which can become slippery (and dangerous) without one. A good-quality rug pad will help extend the life of your rug. Rug pads keep rugs stationary, ensuring they don’t rub unnecessarily along the floor. Having a rug pad will also allow for more noise absorption in the room, and give the rug a more cushioned, plush feel under your feet. Learn more about why a rug pad is important here.

    We offer a Premium Rug Pad that’s 1/8” thick and made of recycled felt and natural rubber, so that it doesn't damage your floors. The rug pad comes in various sizes and may be trimmed to fit your rug. Please note that our rug pads can only be returned if they have not been trimmed, so only trim your pad after you determine you will keep your rug. You may refer to our returns policy for more details.

    For our one-of-a-kind rugs which don’t have standard sizing, we recommend buying a rug pad that’s slightly larger than the rug so you can trim it down to the proper size. Generally, rug pads should measure one to two inches less than the rug itself on each side.

  • When do you have sales?

    Occasionally! The best way to find out about these is to sign up for our newsletter. First-time customers are eligible to receive a discount code for the first purchase when signing up for our mailing list, which you can do here.

    Please note, only one promotion per order will be applicable and you cannot stack rewards or promotions.

  • What if I just missed the Revival sale (even by a few hours), can I still get a discount?

    We run sales sporadically and actively message about them to our newsletter subscribers and followers on various social platforms. These are special events and time-bound. We only honor sale prices during the time of the sale.

  • How does Revival Rewards work?

    Create an account with us to earn points that can be redeemed for money off future purchases.

    There are two ways to collect your rewards:

    1. Log in to your account and redeem your points. A discount code will then be emailed to you that can be applied to your next order.
    2. Apply your points directly during the checkout process.

    Please note that a maximum of 4000 points for $100 dollars off will be redeemable against a given order. Click here for more information about our Revival Rewards program.

  • Do you have a Trade Program?

    Yes! If you’re a design professional, visit our Design Trade page for more information and signup instructions. Signup is fast and easy, and the program provides preferential pricing and additional white-glove support. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll find it’s built out for you to place the order yourself at your convenience.

  • I’m an interior designer. Can I get an invoice?

    We don’t offer quotes or invoices for most residential projects. As it stands, our Design Trade Program is a self-service portal with purchases made directly on our website. Once you’re signed up with us, discounts for trade professionals are automatically applied at checkout. However, if you’re working on a larger commercial project or we’re custom-making rugs for you, we will provide an invoice. Please reach out to us at partnerships@revivalrugs.com for such inquiries.

  • Do you fulfill custom orders?

    Yes! If you’re a design professional, visit our Design Trade page for more information. We love working with interior decorators, designers, and architects to curate and customize options for your projects. You can also contact us at here if you are interested in sourcing Revival for your next project. If you’re looking for custom rugs for a personal project, visit our custom rugs page.

  • Do you make custom rugs?

    Yes! If you’re looking for custom rugs for a personal project, visit our custom rugs page. Here we offer an edited collection of our rugs where you can specify the dimensions you’d like. Sizes on custom rug pages increase in one foot increments; that said, if you contact us at here we can accommodate measurements to the inch. Please note that custom pieces have a longer lead time as they’re made-to-order, and are also final sale.

  • Interested in becoming a brand ambassador?

    We’re always looking to collaborate with creators who embody the Revival aesthetic. Want to learn more? Click here.

  • Do you have a showroom?

    Not at this point, though it’s something we’re considering in the future. We’re also in the process of setting up a swatch program, so you can review samples in advance of purchase. In the meantime, try the “View in your Room” button underneath the rug on each product page to give you a better sense of what the rug will look like in your space. We also offer a 30-day flexible return policy so that there is little risk in making a purchase with us. We understand the inherent challenges with purchasing a rug online and we are happy to answer questions about texture and color if you contact us at here.

  • When is the rug I want coming back in stock?

    We do our best to replenish fast sellers within 1-3 months, but sometimes, it can take longer than that. We also won’t always reorder certain rugs if there isn’t enough demand—if you’re unsure, contact us at here with questions.

  • For information about our shipping and return policy, click here.

    To begin processing a return, click here.