Vacuum regularly on a low setting. For spills, blot immediately with a clean dry cloth, never rub, which pushes the stain deeper into the pile. Most tufted rugs should be professionally cleaned every 1–2 years. Avoid machine washing tufted rugs as the latex backing can deteriorate with water immersion.

A pile height of 10–15mm is practical for a living room, thick enough to feel substantial underfoot, low enough to avoid trapping dirt and to work under furniture legs. Very high-pile rugs (20mm+) are luxurious but can be more difficult to clean and may show furniture leg impressions more readily.

New tufted rugs often shed loose fibres for the first few weeks of use, this is normal and reduces over time. Vacuuming regularly (on a low suction setting) removes loose fibres and prevents them from building up in the pile. Avoid high suction vacuuming on cut-pile tufted rugs as it can pull at the pile.

A high quality tufted rug is durable for normal domestic use, though it differs from a handwoven rug in construction. The pile is held by an adhesive backing rather than being woven through the structure, over time, and with very heavy use, this backing can degrade. For high-traffic areas, a quality wool tufted rug on a non-slip underlay performs well.

A tufted rug is made by pushing yarn loops through a stretched backing fabric using a tufting gun or hand tool, then securing the loops with a latex or adhesive backing. The pile can be cut for a smooth, plush surface or left looped for a more textured effect. Tufting allows for precise pattern work and consistent pile height across the rug.