Hand-Woven Rugs: What to Expect

Handmade, hand-woven, hand-tufted, hand-knotted and natural-fibre rugs such as jute and sisal are not intended to have the complete uniformity of a machine-made synthetic product.

Individual rugs can naturally show differences in colour, shade, weave, texture, dimensions, shape, pattern placement, yarn and finish as a consequence of their materials and manufacturing process.

Handmade and natural-fibre rugs are individually produced from materials that naturally vary. Small irregularities and differences between individual pieces are therefore to be expected.

• Abrash: natural tonal or colour variation across the rug.
• Weave variation: small differences in weaving tension, density or alignment.
• Texture variation: bumps, coarse areas or changes in the feel of natural fibres.
• Pattern placement: small differences in the positioning or alignment of handmade design elements.
• Mixed or rogue yarns: occasional yarns with a slightly different shade or appearance.
• Loose or sprouting fibres: occasional fibres or yarn ends can protrude from the pile or weave.
• Natural fibre loss: some shedding or loose fibres can occur.
• Shape and dimensions: handmade rugs may not be perfectly square or measure identically to another rug of the same nominal size.
• Natural scent: jute and sisal can have an earthy or straw-like smell when new.

The term abrash is commonly used in rug making to describe visible tonal or colour variation within a rug, particularly in handmade and naturally dyed products.

Differences can arise from natural fibres, yarn variation, dyeing, weaving and the individual production process. In handmade rugs, this variation can contribute to the individual appearance of each piece.

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 influence the final dimensions of an individual rug.

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. The difference can then be assessed against the relevant product specification and any applicable manufacturer tolerance.

Rugs are manufactured in production batches. Two rugs with the same product name, design and colour are therefore not necessarily 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.

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.

Handmade rugs can show small differences in pattern placement, weave and finishing because individual pieces are not manufactured with the same mechanical uniformity as a machine-made product.

Different rug sizes can also display the design differently. A larger or smaller version may show a different number or placement of repeating motifs, borders or other design elements depending on how the design is constructed.

If exact uniformity between several rugs is essential to your requirements, a machine-made product may be more suitable.

Not every variation or irregularity in a handmade or natural-fibre rug indicates a manufacturing defect.

• Handmade rugs: natural variations in weave, dimensions, pattern placement, texture and finish.
• Hand-woven rugs: small differences in weaving tension and alignment.
• Jute and sisal: coarse texture, natural tonal variation and fibre irregularities.
• Natural fibres: mixed yarns, tonal differences and occasional loose or sprouting fibres.
• Different production or dye batches: small shade or tonal differences.
• Rolled rugs: temporary creases, curling or compression following storage and transport.

We believe customers should understand the characteristics of a handmade or natural-fibre rug before purchasing it, not only after receiving it.

We also provide detailed product specifications, detailed colour and accent-colour breakdowns and, where available, additional real-life photographs to give customers as much useful information as possible before ordering.

Please read the full product description and specifications before purchasing, particularly if exact uniformity of colour, dimensions, pattern, texture or finish is important to you.

Online imagery has natural limitations. The appearance of a rug can vary according to screen settings, device, lighting, surrounding décor, pile direction, texture and viewing angle.

Natural fibres, handmade construction and different dye or production batches can create further variation between individual rugs.

If precise colour matching is essential, particularly when matching an existing rug, furnishings or décor, please take the limitations of online colour representation and possible batch variation into consideration before purchasing.

If you believe the rug supplied does not materially match the product description, specification, imagery or other product information provided when you purchased it, please submit the appropriate claim and explain the specific difference you believe exists.

There is an important distinction between a handmade characteristic that was disclosed and is normal for the product, and a material difference between the goods supplied and the product information applicable when the order was placed.

The product information, photographs, details supplied and other relevant evidence can be reviewed. Where appropriate, product-specific information may also be obtained from the manufacturer.

Jute and sisal are natural plant fibres and require appropriate care. They are absorbent and can be affected by excessive moisture.

• Avoid excessive water: saturation or prolonged moisture can affect natural fibres.
• Deal with spills promptly: avoid allowing liquid to soak deeply into the rug.
• Vacuum appropriately: use suction-only where recommended and avoid aggressive beater bars.
• Keep dry: avoid prolonged damp or humid conditions.
• Rotate periodically: this can help distribute traffic and exposure more evenly.
• Use an appropriate rug underlay: this can help reduce movement and friction.

The visible woven structure of many jute, sisal and handmade rugs can make them more susceptible to snagging than a tightly constructed machine-made rug.

• Pet claws can catch or pull woven fibres.
• Dragging furniture across the rug can disturb fibres or the weave.
• Heavy or repeated traffic can alter texture and appearance over time.
• Direct sunlight can gradually affect the colour of many textile and natural-fibre products.
• Jute and sisal may not be suitable where frequent spills or pet accidents are likely.

Please consider the intended room, household and use of the rug before purchasing.

An occasional fibre or yarn end may protrude from the surface of a handmade, hand-woven or natural-fibre rug.

Where appropriate, an isolated protruding fibre can normally be carefully trimmed level with the surrounding surface using scissors.

If you believe the amount of loose yarn, fibre loss or sprouting is abnormal or indicates an underlying construction problem, submit a manufacturing defect claim before attempting any significant repair.

The fact that handmade rugs naturally contain variations does not mean that every possible issue must automatically be considered normal.

If you believe an imperfection or irregularity is abnormal or excessive for the rug's construction, or you believe there is an underlying manufacturing problem, you can submit a manufacturing defect claim for assessment.

Examples could include significant construction failure, unusual localised deterioration, substantial dimensional discrepancy or another issue that appears materially different from the normal characteristics described for the product.

If you believe an issue goes beyond the normal characteristics of a handmade or natural-fibre rug, submit a manufacturing defect claim through our Returns Portal.

• Select the appropriate manufacturing defect or fault reason.
• Explain specifically why you believe the characteristic is abnormal.
• Provide clear photographs showing the overall rug and the area of concern.
• For a dimensional concern, include measurements and photographs showing those measurements where possible.
• Include any other relevant information about the age, use and care of the rug.

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.

If you are reporting a suspected manufacturing defect after the Returns Portal submission period has elapsed, for example where an issue develops or becomes apparent more than two weeks after delivery, please email us or submit a Support Request through our AI chatbot.

Please provide your Rug Love order number, a clear description of the issue and clear photographs showing the rug and the concern so we can submit the defect claim to the relevant manufacturer for assessment.

Reporting an issue promptly is helpful to the evidence and investigation process, but it does not replace or reduce any statutory rights you may have.

If the rug is behaving as expected but you decide that its natural handmade characteristics, texture, shade, weave, dimensions or appearance are unsuitable for your home or personal preference, this is different from a manufacturing defect.

If you are within the applicable return period, you can register the rug as an unwanted or unsuitable return through our Returns Portal.

For returns and claims within the applicable portal period, all return types and claims start through our self-service Returns Portal.

• Normal handmade characteristics but unsuitable for you: select the appropriate unwanted or unsuitable return reason.
• Suspected manufacturing defect: select the appropriate manufacturing defect reason and provide photographs and details.
• Materially different from the product information: select the appropriate Not As Described / non-conformity reason and explain the specific discrepancy.

We recommend reviewing the relevant guidance for the type of rug you are considering:

• Hand-Made Rugs Disclaimer
• Product Colour & Design Disclaimer
• Wool & Shaggy Rugs – Shedding Disclaimer
• Rug Warranty & Defects Policy

• Handmade does not mean identical.
• Handmade and hand-woven rugs can naturally vary in weave, texture, pattern placement, finish, dimensions and shade.
• Jute and sisal naturally show variations in colour, texture and fibre structure.
• Abrash and small tonal differences can be normal characteristics of handmade rugs.
• Different production or dye batches can show small shade or tonal differences.
• Rug sizes are generally nominal and small dimensional differences can occur.
• There is no single universal percentage size tolerance that applies to every rug sold by Rug Love.
• Two units of the same handmade product may not be completely identical.
• Relevant handmade and natural-fibre characteristics are stated within the product description before purchase.
• Normal characteristics do not automatically indicate a manufacturing defect.
• Something you believe goes beyond normal handmade variation can still be submitted for assessment.

If anything above is unclear, you are unsure whether a characteristic is normal for your rug, or you need help submitting a claim, please submit a Support Request through our AI chatbot.

• Select “Submit Support Request” if you need a member of our team.
• We aim to respond within 3 business hours during Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm.
• Please include your name, Rug Love order number and a clear explanation of the issue.
• For a suspected manufacturing defect, please include clear photographs of the overall rug and the specific area of concern.
• For a size concern, please include measurements and photographs showing the measurements where possible.