Caring for Flatweave and Reversible Rugs
A reversible flatweave rug is cared for by sharing the wear between its two faces: flip it every month or two, vacuum both sides, and spot clean by blotting. It should not be machine washed or soaked, however much it looks like a dhurrie.
In short
- A reversible flatweave rug should be flipped every one to two months and turned end to end, so both faces and both ends wear evenly.
- Rugberry reversible rugs such as the Sandstorm and Stella are handwoven in recycled and natural fibres and are not machine washable.
- Spills on a flatweave soak through to the other face, so blot from both sides with a white cloth and cool water.
- A flatweave on a vitrified or marble floor needs an underlay to stop slipping and to keep the corners flat.
The routine below suits the handwoven Rugberry reversibles and most flatweaves in an Indian home.
How do you care for a reversible flatweave rug?
Care for a reversible flatweave by vacuuming both faces, flipping it on a schedule and dealing with spills the moment they happen. With no pile to hide dirt, a flatweave shows neglect quickly, but it also recovers quickly with a little attention.
A flatweave is woven on a loom with no knots or tufts standing up from the surface; the pattern is in the weave itself. Our glossary entry for flatweave explains the construction.
How often should you flip a reversible rug?
Flip a reversible rug every one to two months, and turn it end to end at the same time. That way each face gets equal time in the light and each end gets equal time by the door.
- Mark the date. A small safety pin on the underside corner reminds you which face was last down.
- Vacuum before you flip. Grit trapped under a flatweave scuffs the face on the floor, so clear both sides first.
- Change faces with the seasons. Some homes keep the paler face up in summer and the darker face up through the monsoon and festive months.
The Sandstorm Reversible Rug starts from about ₹24,000 in 5x8 ft, before GST, and its two faces mean twice the life from the same weave if you flip it.
Can you wash a flatweave rug like a dhurrie?
No. A Rugberry flatweave in recycled and natural fibres should not go in a washing machine or be soaked in a bucket, even though many Indian homes wash cotton dhurries that way.
A cotton dhurrie is a single fibre and is often made to be washed. A rug woven from mixed recycled and natural fibres can shrink unevenly, bleed colour from one yarn into another, or dry slowly enough at the core to smell. The difference is explained in our guide to dhurries and rugs.
A flatweave has two faces. Use both, and it lasts twice as long.
For a full clean, take the rug to a professional rug cleaner and tell them its fibre line, word for word, from the product page.
How do you spot clean a recycled fibre flatweave?
Spot clean a recycled fibre flatweave by blotting from both faces at once, because a thin weave lets liquid straight through. Slip a folded towel underneath before you start.
- Blot the spill with a white cloth, pressing down onto the towel below.
- Test a hidden corner with cool water and a drop of mild detergent; wait ten minutes and check for colour on the cloth.
- If the test is clear, dab the spot with the same mix, working from the outside inwards.
- Blot with plain water, then press dry between two towels and let it dry flat with a fan.
Avoid hot water and any bleach based cleaner. Recycled fibres can react differently from virgin yarn, so the corner test matters.
How do you stop a flatweave slipping and curling on a tiled floor?
Stop a flatweave slipping on vitrified tile or marble with a thin underlay cut a few centimetres smaller than the rug on every side. A light, flat rug moves with every step on a polished floor, and a slipping rug wears unevenly at the corners.
If a corner has curled, roll it back the other way for an hour, or lay a few heavy books on it overnight. Most flatweave curls settle once the rug sits flat on an underlay. Rugberry sells underlays made for this.
How should you store a flatweave between seasons?
Store a flatweave rolled, never folded, wrapped in a clean cotton sheet rather than plastic, and kept off the floor in a dry room. Folds set creases into a flat rug that can take weeks to relax.
Roll it face inwards around a cardboard tube if you have one. Plastic traps moisture, which matters in a monsoon city; cotton lets the rug breathe. Unroll it once a month if it is stored for long.
Which reversible rug suits a busy room?
For an entrance or a child's room, choose a darker reversible over a pale one, because a flatweave shows marks quickly and a darker face hides them between flips. The Stella Reversible Rug in brown and rust tones is the warmer option, and the Noir Reversible Rug in black and ivory is the most forgiving of all.
See the full range of Rugberry reversible rugs, and our older piece on why reversible rugs work.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Rugberry reversible rug machine washable?
No. Rugberry reversible rugs are handwoven in recycled and natural fibres and should not be machine washed or soaked. Spot clean at home and use a professional rug cleaner for a full wash.
Do both faces of a reversible rug look the same?
The pattern runs through the weave, so both faces carry the design, though one may read slightly differently in tone. Both faces are made to be used.
How do I vacuum a flatweave without it bunching?
Use suction only with the brush roll off, and vacuum along the length of the rug rather than across it. An underlay also holds the rug still while you work.
Two faces, one weave, half the wear. Material first.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.