Q. What are the rugs made from?
A. Our rugs are all made from natural fibres including wool, jute, cotton and hemp.
Q. Will the fibres produce allergies?
A. They are unlikely to cause allergies. One of the biggest contributors to allergies is dust, so keep your rug well maintained to minimize dust. However if you have a known specific allergy to one of the fibres noted above please refer to the Asthma Foundation for more information.
Q. How are the rugs made?
A. Our rugs are all handmade on looms by traditional weavers in India. Different weaving techniques and weights of yarn create variations in the finished styles and designs.
Our production is based on the IFAT Fair Trade Standards and each rug comes with the ‘KALEEN’ label to ensure there is no child labour used in the making of these rugs.
Q. Do I need an underlay with the rug?
A. If the rug is slipping on a hard floor we recommend using a low profile non-slip underlay for safety reasons, and it will also assist in protecting your floor.
Q. Will furniture indent and ruin the rug?
A. Heavy furniture will cause indentation. Use furniture caps or regularly move heavy furniture to minimize indentation.
Q. How do I clean my rug and how often?
A. Regular vacuuming before the dirt can get embedded into the rug, ideally twice a week, is the most important step in preserving the appearance of your rug. Cleaners with a motorised head (such as a Dyson™) are the most effective at removing dirt from within the fibres. If you get mud on your rug, it is usually best to allow it to dry and gently brush if off, followed by a good vacuuming.
We do not recommend that you steam clean your Armadillo rug as the steam may shrink the fibres, or in some can cause some of them to expand.
Use a dry cleaning powder following manufacturer instructions for stubborn stains, and for larger soiled areas refer to a specialist carpet cleaner.
Q. How do I clean spills and stains?
A. The golden rule with spills and stains is to attend to it as quickly as possible to minimize the risk of a permanent stain.
Liquid Spills: Place a colourfast cloth or white paper towel over the spill and apply reasonable pressure to draw up as much of the liquid as possible. If the stain is still apparent you will need to repeat the process and if necessary moisten with water or a solution of mild detergent (ideally wool detergent), and then mop up, drawing up as much of the liquid as possible. Ensure you remove all traces of the detergent by diluting the stained area with minimal water and then drawing as much of the liquid up as possible - even place a colourfast cloth and weigh down the area for a few hours. Never saturate or vigorously rub the stain.
Solids: First remove the solids with a spoon, knife, or brush taking care not to brush too harshly. Moisten the affected area with a diluted wool wash or mild detergent and soak up this liquid with a colourfast cloth as outlined above.
Never mix different cleaning solutions. Cleaning chemicals can react unpredictably with each other, and it is best to consult a professional where you are unsure of the outcome.
Q. Can I have a custom made rug?
A. You can have any rug custom made to custom size. Please contact a stockist.
Q. Will the rug fade or change colour?
A. All natural products and fibres will be affected in some way by the Australian sun. There is no hard and fast rule – the amount of sun and its intensity are the most obvious factors to consider. Colours will fade and some natural fibres may even darken when exposed to direct sunlight. Direct harsh sunlight is one of the most damaging factors, so rotate your rugs to minimize damage caused by direct sun.
Q. How long will the rug last for?
A. Provided your rug is well maintained, you can expect your Armadillo& Co rug to last for 8-15 years (less in heavily trafficked areas). The rugs are durable, but will require thorough maintenance to keep them looking good.
