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Manufacturing Defects, Faulty Items & Claims
We want any genuine product issue to be resolved fairly and as quickly as possible. Return information and access to our Returns Portal can be found in your order confirmation and subsequent emails, on every product page, our Returns Portal page, the Returns section of our chatbot, and in the website footer.
This guide explains how to report a suspected manufacturing defect, how claims are assessed, the difference between a manufacturing issue and normal rug characteristics, and how concerns that an item is not as described are handled.
Manufacturing defect claims are not automatically approved. All appropriate defect claims submitted through our Returns Portal are referred to the relevant manufacturer for assessment using the photographs, information and supporting evidence provided. Submission of a defect claim does not mean that a manufacturing defect has been established or accepted.
Minor Imperfections, Manufacturing Tolerances & Aesthetic Variations
Rugs are textile products manufactured using a variety of fibres, yarns, weaving techniques, machinery and finishing processes. Unlike precision-engineered products, rugs are not necessarily identical in every individual thread, tuft, stitch, weave or finishing detail.
Minor imperfections, small inconsistencies and natural manufacturing variations are a normal and widely recognised characteristic of textile products. Even correctly manufactured, brand-new rugs can contain occasional irregularities.
Important – Rugs are textile products, not precision-manufactured items.
If every individual yarn, tuft, stitch and finishing detail were examined closely enough, it would be possible to identify small variations or imperfections in almost any rug. An occasional slightly longer yarn, uneven tuft, loose fibre or minor finishing irregularity does not automatically indicate that a rug is faulty or incorrectly manufactured.
Minor imperfections that are within the acceptable industry standards for the product are not ordinarily considered manufacturing defects. What is acceptable depends on the particular rug, its materials, construction, description, price and the quality a reasonable customer would expect.
Product-specific information provided before purchase
Rug Love aims to go beyond basic manufacturer information by highlighting known material, construction, appearance and care characteristics directly in relevant product descriptions before customers order. Where applicable, this includes guidance on wool shedding, pile direction and shading, viscose sensitivity, natural variations, fringe characteristics and other product-specific considerations.
We encourage customers to read the full product description, specifications, care information and any product-specific notices before purchasing. This information helps set realistic expectations, but it does not excuse an undisclosed or genuine fault or override statutory consumer rights.
Minor Finishing Imperfections & Reasonable Expectations
Rugs are textile products, and minor variations in individual fibres, yarns, tufts, stitching and finishing details will occur as part of the manufacturing process. Even a brand-new, correctly manufactured rug will have some degree of variation when examined closely enough. An occasional uneven tuft, slightly longer yarn, loose fibre or small finishing inconsistency does not, by itself, mean the rug is faulty.
Hand-woven and other handmade rugs will have natural variations and small imperfections in their weave, dimensions, pattern placement, texture or finish. These are characteristics of handmade production, although a significant or abnormal issue can still be a genuine defect.
An isolated minor cosmetic imperfection does not automatically justify a refund, replacement or discount allowance. Customers are welcome to report suspected faults, and we will refer appropriate claims to the relevant manufacturer for assessment. However, minor finishing irregularities within the reasonable manufacturing tolerances and quality expected of the particular rug will not ordinarily qualify for a defect remedy. The visibility, extent and effect on appearance, construction and use will be considered individually.
Quality Expectations & Product Price
The quality reasonably expected of a rug depends on its price, materials, construction, manufacturing method, description and intended use. A lower-priced, entry-level rug should not necessarily be expected to have the same materials, finishing precision or construction quality as a significantly more expensive premium rug. Handmade construction also naturally produces variations that may not occur in the same way in machine-manufactured products.
Every rug must still meet the applicable standard of satisfactory quality. Price does not excuse a genuine fault, but it is relevant when considering whether a particular characteristic falls below the quality reasonably expected of that product.
Examples of Normal Rug Characteristics vs Potential Manufacturing Defects
The examples below explain how common observations are generally considered. They are guidance rather than automatic decisions, and the nature, extent and impact of an issue will always be relevant.
| Customer Complaint or Observation |
How It Is Generally Assessed |
| One slightly longer yarn or tuft |
Usually a normal finishing variation, not automatically a defect. |
| Occasional loose or protruding yarn ends |
May be a normal manufacturing characteristic, provided there is no structural damage or ongoing unravelment. |
| Minor irregularity in a handmade weave |
Generally a normal characteristic of handmade construction. |
| Slightly uneven stitching or binding |
May fall within normal manufacturing tolerances, depending on its extent and effect on the rug. |
| Small shade differences within a natural-fibre rug |
Often a normal characteristic, depending on the material and product description. |
| Different shades when viewed from opposite directions |
Commonly caused by pile direction and light reflection rather than a manufacturing fault. |
| Slight differences in pattern alignment or dimensions |
May fall within normal manufacturing tolerances, particularly for handmade rugs. |
| Wool fibres shedding when new |
Generally a normal characteristic of wool rugs, although excessive or abnormal shedding may require assessment. |
| Minor variations in fringe length or alignment |
May be a normal finishing variation, depending on the construction and extent of the irregularity. |
| Multiple missing tufts along a prominent fringe |
Requires assessment; could indicate a genuine finishing defect. |
| Significant unravelled edging or binding |
Potential manufacturing fault requiring investigation. |
| Holes, substantial missing pile or damaged sections |
Potential manufacturing defect or damage requiring investigation. |
| Corners curling or creases immediately after unpacking |
Often temporary following rolled storage and transport. Allow up to seven days for the rug to settle. |
| Customer cuts, trims or alters the rug and causes damage |
Damage resulting from customer alterations is generally not a manufacturing defect. |
| Damage caused by incorrect cleaning or care |
Generally not a manufacturing defect where the damage results from improper treatment. |
| Binding or edging becomes worn, frayed or damaged after vacuuming |
Vacuum beater bars, rotating brushes, suction, repeated contact or catching an edge can damage binding. The cause and condition must be assessed; not all binding damage is automatically vacuum-related. |
| How many years should a rug last? |
There is no universal lifespan. Durability depends on construction, fibre, traffic, placement, maintenance, cleaning, pets and other conditions. Premature failure may still require assessment. |
| Shaggy or high-pile rug becomes flatter or matted over time |
Pile compression, flattening, tangling and matting can develop with normal use, especially in walkways and under furniture. The degree and timing matter when assessing whether wear is reasonable. |
| Fringes become uneven, tangled or worn during use |
Fringes are exposed finishing details and may move, tangle or wear through use, vacuuming and foot traffic. Substantial premature loss or unravelment should be assessed. |
| Rug colour fades or changes in direct sunlight |
UV exposure and prolonged sunlight can cause fading or colour changes. Position, exposure and fibre type matter; unexpected or unusually rapid deterioration should be reviewed. |
| Viscose rug shows shading, flattened pile, marks or changes after cleaning |
Viscose is a delicate fibre, often sensitive to moisture, friction and aggressive cleaning. Directional shading and pile movement may be characteristic; other changes require assessment in context. |
| New rug has an odour when first unpacked |
A temporary smell can arise from fibres, backing, manufacturing and sealed packaging. Air naturally in a ventilated room; unusually strong or persistent odours should be reported for assessment. |
| Furniture leaves dents or flattened patches |
Pressure from furniture and regular foot traffic can compress pile. Some indentation may be temporary; severity and construction are relevant. |
| A tuft rises above the surrounding pile (pile sprouting) |
An occasional sprouting yarn can be a finishing characteristic, but repeated sprouting, pulling or loss of structural integrity may indicate a problem. Do not pull out the yarn. |
| Pet claws, scratching, chewing or accidents affect the rug |
Damage caused by pets is not ordinarily an original manufacturing defect; any separate underlying fault will still be assessed. |
How Minor Imperfections Are Assessed
Finding a visible irregularity does not, by itself, establish that a product is faulty. The assessment considers the nature, extent and location of the issue, the rug's materials and manufacturing method, whether it affects the rug's appearance or structural integrity, and whether it is consistent with the standard reasonably expected of that particular product.
There is an important distinction between an occasional minor finishing irregularity and a significant defect affecting the rug's appearance, quality, durability or suitability for its intended purpose.
Where an imperfection is consistent with the normal characteristics and acceptable industry standards for the product, it will not ordinarily be treated as a manufacturing defect. However, the presence of an industry tolerance does not override applicable consumer law or automatically determine the outcome of a claim.
Rug Lifespan, Wear & Maintenance
There is no fixed or guaranteed lifespan applicable to every rug. A rug's service life depends on many factors, including fibre type, construction, frequency of use, foot traffic, pets, furniture, sunlight, room location, moisture, cleaning methods and routine maintenance. A rug in a busy hallway may wear differently from the same rug in a lightly used bedroom.
Flattening, pile compression, shading, fringe wear and gradual changes in appearance can occur through ordinary use. However, describing a change as wear does not automatically resolve whether its extent or timing is consistent with satisfactory quality. A claim of unusually early deterioration will be assessed in the circumstances.
Care matters: follow the care instructions for the particular rug. Avoid catching edges or fringes with vacuum attachments or rotating brush bars, and do not assume that a cleaning method suitable for one fibre is suitable for another. Delicate viscose, shaggy and high-pile rugs may require particular care.
Manufacturing Defect Claims & Manufacturer Assessment
Customers who believe their rug has a genuine manufacturing defect should submit a claim through our Returns Portal, providing clear photographs and a description of the issue.
Where appropriate, Rug Love will refer the information to the relevant manufacturer for a product-specific assessment. The manufacturer may confirm whether the reported characteristic is consistent with the product's construction, finishing methods and normal manufacturing tolerances.
Submitting a claim does not automatically establish that a manufacturing defect exists. Each claim is considered on its individual merits, and additional information or inspection may be required.
Misuse, Damage & Unauthorised Alterations
Damage arising from misuse, negligence, accidental damage, inappropriate cleaning, failure to follow applicable care instructions, excessive wear or unauthorised cutting, trimming, alterations or repairs is not, by itself, evidence of an original manufacturing defect.
Where a rug has been altered or damaged, any claim will be assessed to establish whether the reported issue resulted from that action or from an underlying product fault.
Your Statutory Rights
These examples explain normal textile characteristics and how potential defects are assessed. They do not exclude or restrict your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
A genuine manufacturing fault or product that does not meet the legally required standard of satisfactory quality will be considered in accordance with applicable consumer law. Rug Love remains responsible for its obligations as the retailer, regardless of any manufacturer's assessment.
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All Returns & Claims Start Through Our Returns Portal
No need to contact us first where the Returns Portal is available for your order.
All returns and claims should normally be submitted through our self-service Returns Portal.
- Unwanted or unsuitable returns
- Exchanges
- Manufacturing defect claims
- Courier damage
- Incorrectly supplied items
- Not As Described / Non-Conformity concerns
📸 Please provide clear photographs, details of the issue and any other requested information wherever possible. This helps us, and where appropriate the manufacturer, assess the issue efficiently.
Fault developed after the portal return period?
The 14-day unwanted or unsuitable return period is not a deadline for reporting a genuine manufacturing fault. If you are unable to submit a manufacturing defect claim through the Returns Portal because of the time that has elapsed since delivery, please email us or submit a Support Request through our chatbot.
Please provide your Rug Love order number, a clear description of the problem and clear photographs showing the issue. We require suitable photographs to submit a manufacturing defect claim to the relevant manufacturer for assessment. If the issue cannot be shown adequately in photographs, please explain this when contacting us so we can advise on the appropriate next step.
Why are photographs required?
All appropriate manufacturing defect claims are referred to the relevant manufacturer for assessment. Photographs provide the manufacturer with the evidence needed to identify the product, understand the reported issue and assess whether it may relate to manufacture. We cannot submit a manufacturer defect claim for assessment without suitable supporting images.
Important: Where the Returns Portal is available for your return or claim, it should be registered there before anything is sent back. Because Rug Love uses a third-party returns platform to create and manage return records, any item sent back without first being registered or otherwise authorised by Rug Love is an unauthorised return and will not be refunded. Please do not send a rug back simply because you have contacted us about a fault — wait until the appropriate return arrangements have been confirmed.
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How a Manufacturing Defect Claim Works
1. Submit Your Claim
- Submit the claim through our Returns Portal where available.
- Select the appropriate manufacturing defect/fault reason.
- Explain the specific issue you believe is present.
- Upload clear photographs and supporting information.
- If the portal is no longer available because of the time elapsed since delivery, email us or submit a Support Request through our chatbot with your order number, description of the issue and clear photographs.
- When submitting your claim, please specify your preferred outcome: a replacement, refund or discount allowance (price reduction). We will consider your preference, but the appropriate resolution will depend on the circumstances of the claim and your applicable statutory rights.
2. Claim Review & Manufacturer Assessment
- Rug Love will review the information submitted.
- All appropriate manufacturing defect claims are referred to the relevant manufacturer for assessment using the photographs, information and supporting evidence provided.
- The manufacturer may provide technical or product-specific information as part of the assessment.
- Further photographs or information may sometimes be required. If the manufacturer cannot determine the nature or cause of the reported issue from the photographs and evidence provided, they may request that the rug is collected for physical inspection before an outcome can be confirmed. A collection for inspection does not itself mean the claim has been accepted or rejected.
- If a collection is needed for inspection, or a return is required following the assessment, Rug Love will explain the next steps and arrange the appropriate collection where applicable.
3. Manufacturer-Arranged Collections & Inspection
Collection may be necessary before a decision can be made. If photographs are insufficient for the manufacturer to assess a suspected fault, the manufacturer may ask for the rug to be collected for inspection. Where a collection is required, Rug Love will provide the arrangements and instructions.
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Monday to Friday only: Manufacturer-arranged courier collections take place on working days. Weekend collections are not available.
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All-day appointment: Please arrange for someone to be present to hand the rug to the courier. Although a courier may provide an estimated time slot, we cannot guarantee that a time slot will be available or that the driver will arrive within it.
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Failed or delayed collections: Collections can occasionally fail or be delayed due to courier issues outside Rug Love's control. In these circumstances, the courier will normally reattempt collection automatically on the following working day. We can help investigate if a reattempt does not take place.
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Online-only retailer: Rug Love does not have a showroom or customer drop-off point. Where a physical return or inspection is required, this must be handled through a courier collection rather than an in-person return.
We appreciate that waiting at home for a collection can be inconvenient. Genuine defects are uncommon, but they can occur with textile products. Please bear in mind when ordering that, unlike a bricks-and-mortar shop where an item may be returned in person, resolving an issue requiring physical inspection or return through Rug Love may involve an attended weekday courier collection. We will work with you to arrange a practical resolution in line with your statutory rights.
4. Outcome
- Once the relevant evidence has been reviewed, we will contact you with the outcome and appropriate next step.
- Depending on the circumstances and applicable rights, this may include repair where appropriate, replacement, refund, price reduction or another agreed resolution.
Submission of a claim is not confirmation of a manufacturing defect. The information and evidence provided must first be assessed.
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Courier Damage – What to Photograph & Report
Our first recommendation is to refuse delivery if the rug or its packaging is visibly damaged when the courier arrives. Please ask the driver to mark the consignment Return to Sender and, if practical, take photographs before it leaves.
Rug Love supplies brand-new, factory-packed rugs. Packaging that arrives torn, ripped, punctured, wet, open, heavily soiled or crushed is a strong indication of possible damage during courier handling or transit. Damage to the packaging does not necessarily mean the rug itself is damaged, but it should be treated seriously and reported promptly.
Already accepted or signed for delivery?You can still report suspected courier damage. Acceptance or a signature does not, by itself, remove your statutory rights. Please inspect the rug promptly, including its backing and edges, and submit the Courier Damage reason through our Returns Portal.
Helpful photographs include:
- The complete rug and clear close-ups of any damage, including the backing where relevant.
- The outer packaging, showing any rips, holes, punctures, tears, crushed ends, moisture or soiling.
- The courier label and the rug's product label or barcode, where available.
Please keep the original packaging where possible until the claim has been reviewed. Prompt reporting and photographs help us investigate what happened with the courier and arrange the appropriate resolution. Courier damage is separate from a manufacturing defect, and your statutory rights remain unaffected.
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Inspecting & Reporting an Issue
We strongly ask that you inspect your rug carefully as soon as it arrives, including the surface, pile, edges, fringes, stitching and underside/backing, and report any apparent damage, irregularity or suspected fault to us straight away.
Please inspect the rug on arrival even if you do not intend to use it immediately because you are renovating, moving house, decorating or storing it for later. Delaying inspection can make it more difficult to establish when or how an issue arose.
If you notice something that may be a manufacturing defect but believe it might settle or improve with time, please still report the concern when you first notice it, even if you would prefer to monitor it before requesting a resolution. This allows us to record the concern and, where appropriate, notify the manufacturer early, making any subsequent investigation easier.
Why Prompt Reporting Matters — Including After Six Months
Please notify us as soon as you notice a suspected issue, even if you intend to monitor it. The longer a rug remains in use before a concern is reported, the harder it can become to determine whether the condition was present when supplied or developed afterwards through foot traffic, furniture, vacuuming, cleaning, pets, accidental damage or environmental conditions.
Early notification allows us to record the date, photographs and circumstances and, where appropriate, notify the manufacturer. This can make a later claim easier to investigate if the condition changes or worsens.
The first six months after delivery are particularly relevant to the evidence used when assessing a suspected inherent fault. For qualifying faults appearing within this period, consumer law generally presumes the fault was present at delivery unless established otherwise, subject to statutory exceptions. After six months, customers may need to provide evidence that an issue resulted from an underlying fault present at delivery rather than subsequent use or damage.
Six months is not a deadline for reporting a genuine manufacturing fault. Please report concerns promptly whenever they arise; statutory consumer rights remain unaffected.
Early reporting helps protect the evidence. Please provide clear photographs of the full rug, the affected area and the backing where relevant. We encourage prompt inspection and notification, but this guidance does not impose a deadline or restrict your statutory consumer rights.
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Return Costs & Different Claim Types
There are two different return routes:
1. Customer-Arranged Return
For unwanted or unsuitable items, including change of mind, incorrect size ordered, unsuitable colour or design, or a rug that is otherwise not suitable for your requirements.
2. Manufacturer-Arranged Return
Where a manufacturing defect claim is accepted and a return is required.
Manufacturing defect claims are not automatically approved. All appropriate defect claims submitted through our Returns Portal, or submitted directly to us where the portal is no longer available because of the time elapsed, are referred to the relevant manufacturer for assessment using the photographs, information and supporting evidence provided. Submission of a defect claim does not mean that a manufacturing defect has been established or accepted.
If you simply decide that a correctly supplied rug is unwanted or unsuitable, the customer-arranged return process applies.
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Refund Processing
Where the appropriate resolution involves a refund following the return of the rug, once the returned item has been received back we aim to inspect and process the refund within 48 hours.
- You will receive a notification confirming that your return has been received.
- Once the refund has been processed, you will receive a separate refund confirmation email.
- Your refund confirmation email is confirmation that Rug Love has completed the refund from our side.
- Most banks and payment providers then take approximately 3–5 working days to display the funds.
- PayPal e-cheque refunds can take up to approximately 14 days.
Any refund due under applicable consumer law will be processed in accordance with the statutory requirements that apply to the particular claim.
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Unable to Use the Returns Portal or Need Help?
If you are unable to submit a manufacturing defect claim through the Returns Portal because of the time elapsed since delivery, please email us or submit a Support Request through our chatbot.
For a manufacturing defect claim, please provide:
- Your name and Rug Love order number.
- A clear description of the problem.
- Clear photographs showing the reported issue.
- For a size concern, measurements and photographs showing the measurements where possible.
- For a colour, pattern or design concern, photographs showing the overall rug and the specific area or difference being reported.
- Any other information that may help explain when and how the issue developed.
We require suitable supporting images to submit a manufacturing defect claim to the relevant manufacturer for assessment.
- 💬 Select “Submit Support Request” through our chatbot if you need a member of our team.
- 🕒 We aim to respond within 3 business hours during Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm.
- 📸 For a manufacturing defect claim, please have your description and photographs ready so we can submit the appropriate claim for assessment.
Important: Please select “Submit Support Request” if you need a member of our team. Simply typing a question into the chatbot does not itself submit a support request to our team.
Your statutory rights are not affected by the information above.
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Normal Rug Characteristics vs Manufacturing Defects
Not every variation or change in a rug indicates a manufacturing defect. Rugs are textile products, and their construction, materials, pile and manufacturing method can result in normal characteristics that vary between rug types.
This is particularly relevant to hand-woven, hand-tufted, hand-knotted and other handmade rugs, where small differences between individual rugs are a natural consequence of the manufacturing process.
Handmade does not mean identical. Two rugs of the same design, colour and stated size can show small differences in dimensions, weave, texture, pattern placement, finish and shade as a consequence of the handmade manufacturing process.
Examples that can be normal depending on the rug and extent of the issue include:
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Wool rugs: Natural shedding, particularly when new.
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Sheepskin rugs: Natural fibre, texture, colour and appearance variations and shedding.
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Shaggy and high-pile rugs: Pile movement, compression, flattening and some shedding.
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Handmade rugs: Natural variations in weave, dimensions, pattern placement, texture and finish.
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Handmade and natural-fibre rugs: Abrash, tonal differences and natural colour variation.
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Handmade rugs: Mixed yarns, slight weaving inconsistencies or occasional loose/sprouting fibres.
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Different production or dye batches: Small shade or tonal differences can occur between two rugs of the same design and colour.
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Rolled rugs: Temporary creases, curling or pile compression after being tightly rolled for storage and transport.
These characteristics do not automatically indicate a manufacturing defect. Equally, whether an individual issue is a normal characteristic or a manufacturing fault can depend on its nature, extent, age, use, care, construction and the specific circumstances.
If you believe what you are experiencing goes beyond the normal characteristics of the rug, please submit a manufacturing defect claim with photographs and an explanation of the specific concern.
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New Rug Not Lying Flat? Creases, Curling & Settling
Raised edges, curling corners, ripples and creases are very common when a new rug is first unrolled. Rugs can spend extended periods tightly rolled during manufacture, storage and transport. These temporary effects do not, by themselves, indicate a manufacturing defect.
⏳ Please allow up to 7 days for initial settling. Most new rugs will naturally relax and lie flat within around a week in a normal, comfortably heated room. In our experience, raised edges and corners almost always improve significantly or resolve as the rug settles. Some thick or rigid rugs can take longer. This is guidance, not a guarantee or a restriction on your rights.
Why it happens: Many rugs contain latex, adhesives or other backing materials which can become temporarily stiff during storage and transit, particularly in cold conditions. As the rug reaches room temperature, its backing often becomes more flexible and the rolled shape gradually relaxes. Not all rugs have latex backing, and settling times vary with construction and material.
Safe ways to help:
- Unroll completely on a clean, dry, level floor and gently smooth by hand.
- Leave the rug in its intended position in a comfortably heated, dry room for up to 7 days.
- If the rug is flexible and its care instructions permit, briefly and loosely reverse-roll it. Never force or sharply fold a stiff backing.
- A clean, stable, flat weight over a raised corner for 24–48 hours may help, provided it will not mark the pile.
- A suitable non-slip rug underlay may reduce movement or bunching on smooth floors.
Do not use irons, steam, hairdryers, boiling water, direct heat, soaking or ice-cube tricks unless the rug manufacturer specifically recommends a method. Heat and moisture can damage fibres, dyes, latex, adhesives and backing. Avoid household tape on the rug or floor.
If a corner is raised enough to create a trip hazard, keep that area clear until it is safe. If there is no improvement after around 7 days, or there is persistent severe distortion, uneven construction or backing damage, you may submit photographs for review. You do not need to wait 7 days to report a suspected genuine defect. Please use the Returns Portal and include photographs of the full rug, affected areas and backing where relevant.
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Pilling, Sprouting & Loose Fibres
Pilling is the formation of small fuzzy balls or tangled fibres on the rug surface, usually caused by friction from walking, furniture, pets or vacuuming. It can occur in both synthetic and natural-fibre rugs. Some pilling is a normal characteristic of use and does not automatically mean the rug is faulty.
Sprouting means an isolated yarn or fibre projects above the surrounding pile. It may arise as yarns settle or during manufacture, particularly in dense, shaggy or hand-finished constructions. Examples can include Montana, Polar, Sierra 9000, Extravagance, Plush and Barnaby.
Never pull protruding threads or pills. Where appropriate, an isolated sprouted fibre can be carefully trimmed level with the pile using sharp scissors, without cutting into the surrounding rug. Do not trim a thread that appears to be part of a loose seam, binding or structural weave; report it for assessment instead.
How to reduce and manage pilling:
- Vacuum gently and regularly, following the rug's care instructions; avoid aggressive rotating beater bars where unsuitable.
- Rotate the rug periodically to distribute foot traffic and wear.
- Use an appropriate rug underlay to help minimise movement and friction.
- If permitted for the rug material, remove light surface pills gently with a suitable fabric-pilling tool, testing an inconspicuous area first. Avoid cutting or pulling structural yarns.
Pilling varies by fibre, yarn, construction and use; no fibre type is completely immune. If pilling, yarn loss or sprouting seems excessive or unusual for the rug's age and use, submit a suspected manufacturing defect claim through the Returns Portal with clear photographs. Normal characteristics do not prevent a genuine concern being assessed.
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Pile Flattening, Compression & Matting – Care Advice
Pile fibres naturally bend and compress with foot traffic, furniture pressure and regular use. Long, fluffy and super-plush piles are particularly prone to flattening and matting, including ranges such as Montana, Polar, Sierra 9000, Plush and Barnaby. Replacing a rug will not necessarily prevent the same natural pile behaviour from developing with use.
Shorter, denser pile constructions may be easier to maintain in busy areas, although suitability depends on the individual rug. Pile direction can also change how light reflects and make some areas look flatter or darker.
Ways to care for the pile:
- Use gentle suction vacuuming in accordance with the product's care instructions.
- Rotate the rug regularly and, where practical, vary furniture positions to spread pressure.
- For a suitable rug, gently lift compressed pile with a soft brush or rug rake designed for its construction; test first and never tug at fibres.
- Consider an appropriate underlay to reduce slipping and friction.
Avoid unapproved steam cleaning, direct heat, dampening and baking-soda treatments. These can be unsuitable for particular fibres, dyes or backings. Always follow the product's specific care instructions.
Ordinary pile compression and matting are not automatically manufacturing defects. However, unusually rapid or severe deterioration, abnormal fibre loss or another suspected underlying issue can be submitted through the Returns Portal for individual assessment.
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Rug Size, Shape & Handmade Variation
Rug sizes are generally stated as nominal dimensions. Small variations in finished length, width and shape can occur during manufacture and do not automatically indicate a manufacturing defect.
This is particularly relevant to hand-woven, hand-tufted, hand-knotted and other handmade rugs. Differences in yarn, weaving tension, stretching, washing, drying and finishing can all influence the final dimensions of an individual rug.
Two rugs labelled as the same size are not necessarily guaranteed to measure identically. Small dimensional or shape differences can occur between individual rugs, particularly where the product is handmade.
Manufacturer size tolerances can vary depending on the brand, construction and manufacturing method. We therefore do not apply one universal percentage tolerance to every rug sold by Rug Love.
If you believe your rug differs significantly from the advertised nominal dimensions, please provide photographs together with measurements of the rug. Where appropriate, the difference can then be assessed against the relevant product specification and any applicable manufacturer tolerance.
Measuring tip: For the clearest assessment, lay the rug as flat as reasonably possible and measure the overall length and width across the rug. Photographs showing the tape measure against the rug can help demonstrate the measurements being reported.
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Pile Flattening, Matting & Sprouting
All rugs with a pile can experience some degree of pile movement, compression and flattening during use. This is particularly noticeable on longer-pile and super-plush rugs.
High-pile shaggy rugs such as Montana, Polar, Sierra 9000, Plush and Barnaby can be more susceptible to:
- Pile compression and flattening in areas receiving regular foot traffic.
- Compression beneath furniture.
- Pile movement and changes in appearance depending on direction.
- Occasional sprouting or individual fibres appearing longer than surrounding fibres.
These can be normal characteristics of high-pile construction and do not automatically indicate a manufacturing defect.
If an individual fibre sprouts, do not pull it. Where appropriate, an isolated protruding fibre can normally be carefully trimmed level with the surrounding pile using sharp scissors.
If you believe the extent of the flattening, matting, fibre loss or another issue is abnormal for the age and use of the rug, submit a claim through the Returns Portal so the specific circumstances can be assessed.
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Rug Binding & Edge Concerns
Binding and edges are areas of a rug that can be affected by both manufacturing issues and events occurring during use.
Common causes of edge or binding damage after use can include:
- Vacuum cleaners catching or repeatedly running over the binding.
- Heavy foot traffic.
- Dragging furniture across the rug.
- Pets scratching, chewing or pulling at the edges.
- Inappropriate cleaning methods, excessive moisture or unsuitable chemicals.
Damage caused through use does not, by itself, establish a manufacturing defect. However, if you believe the binding or edge has failed because of an underlying manufacturing issue, please submit a manufacturing defect claim with clear photographs and an explanation of the circumstances.
Please do not attempt a permanent repair before submitting a claim if you believe the issue may be a manufacturing defect, as the original condition may need to be assessed.
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Colour, Design & Dye-Batch Variation
The main product images supplied for a rug are manufacturer images and are generally the same core images used by UK retailers selling the same product.
Rug Love goes further than most rug retailers in the product information we provide before purchase, including more detailed product specifications, detailed colour and accent-colour breakdowns and, where available, additional real-life photographs. This is intended to give customers as much practical information as possible to help them choose the right rug before ordering.
However, no online image can guarantee an exact colour match. The appearance of a rug can be affected by:
- Screen and device display settings.
- Lighting conditions.
- The surrounding décor and colours within a room.
- Pile direction, texture and viewing angle.
- Natural-fibre variation.
- Normal production and dye-batch variation.
- The subjective nature of colour names and shades.
Dye-Batch Variation
Two rugs of the same design and colour are not guaranteed to be visually identical if they originate from different production or dye batches. Small shade or tonal differences can occur between batches even where the same design, colour name and product specification are used.
This can be particularly noticeable with natural fibres and handmade or hand-woven rugs and does not automatically indicate a manufacturing defect or that the incorrect product has been supplied.
If you are purchasing two or more matching rugs and consistency between them is particularly important, please contact us before ordering so we can check whether any relevant batch information is available. Batch matching cannot always be guaranteed.
Colour dissatisfaction or deciding that a correctly supplied rug does not suit your room does not automatically mean that the rug is defective or not as described.
If your concern relates specifically to the accuracy of the product information or imagery rather than personal colour preference, please submit the appropriate Not As Described / Non-Conformity claim through the Returns Portal so the specific issue can be assessed.
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Damage, Wear & Care After Delivery
A manufacturing defect is different from damage caused to a rug after delivery.
Examples of issues that may arise through use rather than manufacture include:
- 🐾 Pet chewing, scratching or soiling.
- 🧴 Spills and stains.
- 🛠️ Accidental tears, burns, cuts or other accidental damage.
- 🏠 Ordinary wear, furniture compression and traffic-related pile changes.
- 💧 Damage caused by unsuitable cleaning methods, excessive water or inappropriate chemicals.
- 🧹 Damage caused by a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning equipment catching fibres or bindings.
Damage caused by accidents, pets, spills, inappropriate cleaning, misuse or ordinary wear is not, by itself, a manufacturing defect.
However, if you believe an underlying manufacturing issue is responsible for the problem, submit the claim with photographs and an explanation so the specific circumstances can be assessed.
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Not As Described / Non-Conformity Claims
If you believe the rug supplied does not materially match the product description, specification, imagery or other product information provided at the time of purchase, please submit the appropriate claim through our Returns Portal and explain the specific difference you believe exists.
Selecting “Not As Described”, or stating that an item is “not as advertised”, records the reason for your claim. It does not, by itself, establish as fact that the goods are not as described or determine the outcome of the claim.
We will review the product supplied, the product information applicable when the order was placed, and the photographs, details and other relevant evidence provided. Where appropriate, information may also be obtained from the manufacturer as part of that assessment.
There is an important distinction between goods that materially do not conform to their description and a product that is correctly supplied but is unsuitable or different from a customer's personal expectation.
For example, deciding that a correctly supplied rug does not suit your room, personal colour preference, décor or intended space does not automatically mean that the product was incorrectly described.
Nothing in this assessment process affects your statutory rights. If the goods do not conform to the contract as required by applicable consumer law, your statutory remedies remain available and Rug Love remains responsible as the retailer.
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14-Day Unwanted or Unsuitable Returns Are Different
A customer-arranged return because you have changed your mind or the rug is unwanted or unsuitable is different from a claim that goods are faulty, damaged, incorrectly supplied or not as described.
For unwanted or unsuitable items, you have 14 days from delivery to notify us that you wish to return the item and a further 14 days to send it back.
For fastest and clearest processing, our designated return process is the self-service Returns Portal. If you are exercising a statutory cancellation right, nothing in this policy prevents you from giving us a clear statement of cancellation by another legally valid method within the applicable period; however, you should still register the return through the portal where possible so we can identify and process it.
The 14-day unwanted or unsuitable return period is separate from your statutory rights where goods are faulty, damaged, incorrectly supplied or not as described. Expiry of the change-of-mind return period does not, by itself, remove statutory rights relating to non-conforming goods.
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Consumer Rights Act 2015
For consumer purchases covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods supplied by a retailer must meet the applicable legal requirements.
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Satisfactory quality: taking account of the description, price and other relevant circumstances.
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Fit for purpose: including any particular purpose made known to the retailer where the law applies.
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As described: the goods must materially match the description and applicable product information forming part of the contract.
Your statutory consumer rights are not replaced or reduced by Rug Love's returns process, a manufacturer's guarantee or the manufacturer assessment process. Rug Love remains responsible to you as the retailer for the statutory rights that apply to your purchase.
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Manufacturer Guarantees vs Your Consumer Rights
A manufacturer's warranty or guarantee and your statutory consumer rights are not the same thing.
Some products or manufacturers may provide a separate manufacturer's warranty or guarantee. The existence, duration and terms of any such guarantee depend on the particular manufacturer and product.
Rug Love does not apply one blanket manufacturer warranty period to every rug. Where a specific manufacturer guarantee applies, its own terms may apply in addition to your statutory rights.
The expiry or absence of a manufacturer's warranty or guarantee does not, by itself, determine whether you have a valid statutory claim against Rug Love as the retailer.
Manufacturer guarantees do not replace your statutory rights against Rug Love.
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Manufacturer Assessment & Your Statutory Rights
The manufacturer assessment process helps us establish the nature and cause of a reported issue and provides relevant product-specific evidence.
Manufacturer assessment forms part of our evidence and claims process but does not replace your statutory rights or Rug Love's responsibilities as the retailer.
Rug Love remains responsible for dealing with your statutory rights as the retailer from which you purchased the goods.
If goods do not conform to the contract as required by applicable consumer law, any statutory remedies available to you remain unaffected by our manufacturer assessment process.
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When a Fault Appears & Evidence Over Time
Consumer law distinguishes between problems arising at different stages after delivery, and the evidence required can change over time.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, where goods do not conform to the contract within the first six months after delivery, the law generally treats the lack of conformity as having existed at delivery unless it is established otherwise or that presumption is incompatible with the nature of the goods or the particular issue.
After six months, a customer may be required to provide evidence that the problem was inherent or existed when the goods were supplied rather than being caused by subsequent use, wear, care or damage.
Six months is not a blanket warranty expiry date. The expiry of six months does not automatically mean that a consumer has no rights or that a genuine claim cannot be considered.
Each claim must be considered according to the applicable law, the nature and expected durability of the product, its age and use, and the available evidence.
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What Happens If Goods Do Not Conform?
The appropriate remedy depends on the circumstances and the statutory rights that apply at the relevant time.
Consumer law provides remedies which can include, where the relevant legal conditions are met:
- The short-term right to reject.
- Repair or replacement.
- A price reduction.
- The final right to reject.
The appropriate remedy is not necessarily the same in every case. It depends on matters including the nature of the non-conformity, when it is reported, what remedies have already been attempted and the requirements of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
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Full Manufacturing Defects & Consumer Rights Guide
For more detailed information about manufacturing defects, manufacturer guarantees, normal rug characteristics, evidence, Consumer Rights Act remedies and later-developing faults, please see our full guide.
Manufacturing defects, courier damage and items incorrectly supplied by
Rug Love are handled separately from unwanted or unsuitable customer-arranged
returns.
Rug Love submits appropriate manufacturing defect claims to the relevant
manufacturer or supplier. The manufacturer may provide product information
or assess the evidence supplied. Submission of a claim does not itself mean
that a manufacturing defect has been accepted.
Where an accepted manufacturing defect, courier-damaged item or incorrectly
supplied item needs to be returned, Rug Love will provide or arrange the
appropriate return method at no cost to the customer.