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Care

Caring for Your Rugs, Runners, & Mats

At SJB, we choose rugs that are built to last, but a little regular attention goes a long way towards keeping them looking their best for as long as possible. Here's everything you need to know about looking after your SJB rug, runner, or mat.

General Tips

Looking after your rug well starts with a few simple habits that apply across the whole collection.

  • Roll rugs for storage rather than folding them, as folding can leave permanent creases in the pile.
  • Never use bleach or machine dyes on any rug in our collection, regardless of the fibre type.
  • For machine washing, always match the drum size to the rug. We've included a size guide further down this page.
  • Our rugs are designed not to mark the floors beneath them, but cleaning products, heat and prolonged sun exposure can sometimes cause discolouration on certain floor types.
  • Lift your rug regularly to air the floor underneath, and always make sure both surfaces are completely dry before laying it back down.
  • When a stain won't budge at home, professional cleaning is always the right call. This matters most for delicate fibres like viscose, jute, sisal and wool.

Everyday Washable Rugs and Mats

Durable, washable rugs and mats designed for regular home use

  • A new rug will often shed a little in the early weeks. This is completely normal and settles down quickly with regular vacuuming on a suction-only setting.
  • Give the rug a quick vacuum or brush before putting it in the machine to remove any surface debris beforehand.
  • Wash inside a cotton pillowcase or dedicated wash bag on a quick cotton cycle at 30°C with a low spin. This protects both the rug and your machine.
  • Skip the biological detergent and fabric conditioner. Neither does the rug any favours over time.
  • Check your machine filter after the first few washes, as loose fibres can collect there.
  • Line dry or lay flat where possible. If you want to use a tumble dryer, keep it to a short cool cycle of around 10 minutes to help restore the pile. Move the rug around during drying to stop bumps forming.
  • Keep the rug away from damp floors and avoid prolonged contact with steam cleaners or direct heat, as both can damage the backing over time.
  • Very large rugs are better spot cleaned at home or taken to a professional laundrette rather than put through a domestic machine.

Easy Care Rugs

Practical, stain-resistant rugs built for high-traffic rooms and active households

  • Vacuum regularly using suction only. Make sure the beater bar or brush roll is switched off before vacuuming.
  • Some shedding is normal with a new rug and will reduce after a few cleans.
  • Deal with spills quickly by working through the following steps: blot the area first, dilute with a damp cloth, apply a small amount of liquid soap, scrub gently, rinse thoroughly and hang to dry.
  • Avoid saturating the rug with water. These rugs dry relatively quickly, but trapped moisture can lead to mould if not addressed.
  • Use an anti-slip underlay on hard floors to prevent movement and extend the life of the rug.

Eco-Washable Rugs

Machine-washable rugs made from recycled fibres, designed for easy home care

  • Before washing, vacuum the surface gently to pick up any loose dirt or debris.
  • Spotted a stain? Blot it first, then work a mild cleaner into the area from the outside edge inwards to stop it spreading.
  • Machine wash on a gentle or quick cycle at 30°C. Larger rugs will need a bigger drum, so a laundrette is a sensible option for anything above 160cm.
  • Bleach and fabric conditioner will both degrade the washable finish of these rugs over time, so keep both away from them.
  • Lay flat or line dry after washing and avoid high heat in the tumble dryer. Move the rug occasionally while it dries to keep the shape even.
  • The backing on these rugs has a natural speckled finish that comes from the sustainable rubber used in production. This is intentional and not a fault. Lift the rug occasionally to let the floor breathe underneath.

Washing Machine Size Guide

  • 120 x 185 cm Suitable for a washing machine with a 6kg drum or larger
  • 160 x 230 cm Suitable for a washing machine with an 8kg drum or larger
  • 185 x 275 cm Suitable for a washing machine with a 10kg drum or larger
  • 75 x 220 cm Suitable for a washing machine with an 8kg drum or larger

If your washing machine is smaller than the recommended drum size for your rug, we'd suggest taking it to your local laundrette instead.

Jute Rugs

A durable natural fibre that performs best when kept as dry as possible

  • Vacuum weekly with the beater bar switched off, and vacuum underneath the rug too. Loose fibres can collect beneath the rug over time, and regular vacuuming stops dirt becoming embedded in the fibres.
  • Blot spills immediately. Warm water works well for most common stains.
  • For acidic spills such as wine or tomato, neutralise the area with soda water before blotting.
  • For more stubborn marks, apply a small amount of diluted washing-up liquid, blot carefully, then rinse and dry using a hairdryer on a low heat setting.
  • Use as little water as possible when cleaning jute. It is a highly absorbent material and may develop mould if it is not allowed to dry out fully.
  • We recommend using an anti-slip underlay on hard floors for safety, to extend the life of the rug and to protect the floor surface beneath.

My Rug

A family-friendly, low-maintenance range that's ideal for busy homes

  • Small marks can be rinsed under the tap directly.
  • For heavier soiling, machine wash at 40°C.
  • Line dry flat and move occasionally during drying to avoid bumps forming.

My Mat

Coir and natural doormats: our hardest-wearing products. Each product may have slightly different care requirements, so always check the specific guidance for your mat.

  • Scrape off any mud or debris before cleaning.
  • Take the mat outside and beat it with a broom handle to loosen ingrained dirt.
  • Use a stiff brush to remove any remaining dirt and rinse lightly if needed.
  • Lay the mat flat to dry completely before storing or replacing. Never store a damp mat.

Recycled PET Rugs

Hard-wearing synthetic rugs that require minimal maintenance

  • Vacuum regularly using a soft suction head. Avoid stiff brush heads as these can damage the fibres.
  • New rugs may shed short fibres initially. Trim these with scissors and vacuum the area afterwards.
  • Treat spills quickly by blotting the area, applying an appropriate carpet cleaner from the edge of the stain inwards, patting dry and vacuuming once the rug has dried fully.
  • Use an anti-slip underlay on hard floors for safety and to extend the life of the rug, particularly for styles without a rubber backing.

Sculptured Washable Rugs

Textured, stain-resistant designs that only need machine washing when genuinely necessary

  • Take the rug outside for a shake before vacuuming on a suction-only setting. Rotating it every few weeks helps the pile wear evenly over time.
  • For a fresh spill, blot straight away and lift the rug to check whether anything has soaked through to the other side. Apply a wet cloth with a small amount of liquid soap, work it in gently and leave the rug to line dry afterwards.
  • Only machine wash when spot cleaning isn't enough. When you do, use a pillowcase or wash bag, wash at 30°C and keep the spin speed low.
  • Fabric conditioner, damp floors, high heat drying and prolonged steam cleaning are all worth avoiding with this type of rug.

Sheepskin Rugs

A natural, delicate pile that needs gentle handling to protect both the fur and the leather backing

  • Do not machine wash.
  • Vacuum using a suction hose only with the beater bar switched off.
  • Brush occasionally with a wire pet brush to keep the pile looking its best. Some loose fibres are completely normal.
  • For spills, remove any solid matter first, blot the area carefully, then wipe gently with cold or lukewarm water and a small amount of wool shampoo or mild soap, always working in the direction of the fur.
  • Dry flat away from direct heat and sunlight. Brush or vacuum gently once fully dry.
  • Use an anti-slip underlay if your rug does not have a rubber backing, both for safety and to extend its life.

Sisal Rugs

A strong, natural fibre rug that performs best when kept dry and regularly brushed

  • Vacuum in a single direction rather than back and forth, using a standard vacuum head.
  • Blot spills immediately with an unbleached cotton cloth. Avoid soaking the fibres with water.
  • A rug pad is recommended to extend the life of the rug. Sisal rugs with a latex backing generally do not need additional underlay.
    For stubborn stains that won't respond to home treatment, professional cleaning is the recommended route.
  • Roll rather than fold for storage.

Viscose Rugs

A beautifully soft but water-sensitive fibre that requires particularly careful handling

  • Vacuum gently and avoid regular use of a beater bar. A suction hose or carpet sweeper is preferable, always working in the direction of the pile.
  • Treat spills immediately and with as little moisture as possible. Blot dry without scrubbing to absorb as much liquid as you can. If further cleaning is needed, lightly dampen a cloth with distilled water and a single small drop of dish soap and blot gently. Follow immediately with a dry cloth to draw out any remaining moisture.
  • Dry away from heat and direct sunlight. A cool hairdryer can help speed up drying if necessary.
  • Viscose can yellow if it becomes too wet, so keeping moisture to an absolute minimum is essential. For larger or more stubborn stains, professional cleaning is strongly recommended.

Washable Rugs

Rugs designed specifically for machine washing; always follow the temperature guidance on the product care label

  • Vacuum regularly using suction only, and rotate the rug periodically to even out wear.
  • Deal with spills quickly by blotting the area first, lifting the rug to check for bleed-through, then washing at the temperature recommended for your specific product. Many washable rugs are suitable for 40°C.
  • Line dry or lay flat to dry. Avoid heavy heat when tumble drying.
  • Use an anti-slip underlay for styles without a rubber backing, for safety and to extend the life of the rug.

Wool and Wool-Mix Rugs

Natural fibres with specific care requirements that reward a gentle approach

  • Expect some fluffing from a new wool rug in the early weeks. Vacuum on a suction-only setting and keep the beater bar switched off for the life of the rug.
  • For spills, reach for a clean white cloth and blot first. Then apply a wool-approved cleaner or wool laundry detergent, working carefully from the outer edge of the stain inwards. Pat the area dry and vacuum once everything has dried out fully.
  • If the stain doesn't shift first time, repeat the process before deciding whether professional cleaning is needed.
  • An anti-slip underlay is worth using under wool rugs on hard floors. It keeps the rug in place, protects the floor surface and extends the life of the rug considerably.
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