Rug materials explained: wool, jute, viscose, polypropylene and more
The fibre a rug is made from decides how it feels, how it wears and how you clean it. Here is a plain-English guide to every material you will find on Rug Kingdom.
Materials at a glance
| Material | Feel | Durability | Spill resistance | Sheds? | Best rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wool | Warm, springy | High | Good (lanolin, but absorbs if left) | Yes, at first | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| Wool and viscose | Soft, lustrous | Medium | Low (viscose marks with water) | Yes, at first | Living rooms, bedrooms |
| Viscose | Silky | Low to medium | Low | Yes | Low-traffic rooms |
| Jute | Firm, textured | Medium | Low (absorbs water) | A little | Dry living and bedrooms |
| Polypropylene | Firm to soft | Medium to high | High (does not absorb water) | Rarely | Family rooms, kitchens, outdoors |
| Polyester | Soft | Medium | High | A little | Living rooms, bedrooms, shaggy rugs |
| Recycled polyester (PET) | Soft | Medium | High | A little | As polyester |
| Cotton | Soft, flat | Medium | Medium | Rarely | Bedrooms, kids’ rooms, washable rugs |
Wool
Wool fibres are naturally crimped, so the pile springs back after being walked on. The natural lanolin coating helps the fibre resist dry soil, wool is naturally slow to catch fire, and it takes dye deeply for rich colour. Downsides: it costs more than synthetics, sheds for the first few weeks, and will absorb a spill if you leave it. It is our pick for a main living room rug you want to keep for years. Shop wool rugs.
Viscose and wool-viscose blends
Viscose (also called rayon or "art silk") is made from regenerated plant cellulose. It gives a beautiful silk-like sheen at a fraction of the price of silk. It is, however, the most delicate fibre in this list: it loses strength when wet, marks with plain water and flattens in heavy traffic. Blended with wool, as accents or in a carved pile, you get the sheen with more resilience. Read our honest viscose guide and see wool and viscose rugs.
Jute and natural fibres
Jute is spun from the stalks of the jute plant. It is renewable, biodegradable and gives an earthy, textured look. It is firm rather than soft, absorbs water (spills can leave brown marks) and suits dry rooms. Sisal and seagrass are tougher relatives. See the jute rugs guide and jute rugs.
Polypropylene
A synthetic fibre that does not absorb water, so water-based spills sit on the surface long enough to blot away. It is light, colourfast and inexpensive, which is why so many machine-woven rugs use it, including many indoor-outdoor rugs. It is less springy than wool, and oily stains cling to it, so deal with grease quickly. Shop polypropylene rugs.
Polyester and recycled PET
Polyester can be spun into very soft, fine yarns, so it is popular for shaggy and plush rugs. It holds colour well and is easy to clean. Recycled polyester, often labelled PET, is made from post-consumer plastic bottles and performs the same way; the GRS (Global Recycled Standard) label verifies recycled content. See recycled rugs.
Cotton
Cotton is soft, flat and often used for lightweight flatweaves and for many machine-washable rugs. It also appears as the backing and the border on wool and jute rugs.
Which material should I choose?
- Kids, pets, rentals: polypropylene, polyester or a washable rug.
- A rug for life: wool.
- Luxury in a quiet room: wool and viscose.
- Natural look: jute, with a soft rug layered on top.
- Outdoors and kitchens: polypropylene and polyester flatweaves.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most durable rug material?
For indoor rugs, wool is the most resilient natural fibre and polypropylene the most practical synthetic. Both suit high-traffic rooms.
Is polypropylene better than wool?
It is cheaper and easier to clean, but wool feels warmer, springs back better and lasts longer in a main living room.
Which rug material does not shed?
Machine-woven polypropylene sheds the least. Wool and hand-tufted rugs shed at first and then settle.
Are viscose rugs good quality?
They look luxurious but are delicate. They suit low-traffic rooms and must be kept dry.
Shop the guide
-
Caruso Wool Rug in Brown
from £274.98 -
Henley Wool & Viscose Rug in Silver
from £169.98 -
Henley Wool & Viscose Rug in Sand
from £169.98 -
Henley Wool & Viscose Rug in Sage
from £169.98
-
Atlas Shaggy Rug in Emerald Green
from £59.98 -
Atlas Shaggy Rug in Gunmetal Grey
from £59.98 -
Atlas Shaggy Rug in Ivory Cream
from £59.98 -
Atlas Shaggy Rug in Natural
from £59.98
Related guides
- Wool vs synthetic rugs: which should you buy?
- Viscose rugs: the honest guide
- Jute rugs: pros, cons and care
- Eco-friendly rugs: natural, recycled and certified
- All rug guides
Questions about a specific rug? Every product page lists the maker's size, material, pile height and care details. Delivery is free to England, Wales and mainland Scotland: 2-5 working days for Asiatic rugs and 1-2 working days for Livabliss rugs. See delivery and returns.