Caring for Plush and Shag Pile
A plush or shag rug stays soft when dust is shaken out from below and lifted with suction from above, never beaten in by a spinning brush. The deeper the pile, the more the rug works as a dust trap, and the more the routine matters.
In short
- A plush or shag rug should be vacuumed with suction only, brush roll or beater bar switched off, and the head raised to its highest setting.
- Small deep pile rugs, such as the 5x8 ft Rugberry Pearl Fold Wool Rug, clean best by shaking or tapping the back once a month.
- Flattened deep pile can be lifted with fingers or a soft brush worked against the lie of the pile.
- The Rugberry Plush Wool Rug is handloom New Zealand wool with a deep, soft pile, and needs more drying time after any spill than a low rug.
In Indian homes, where fine road dust comes in through every window, these rugs need about one extra step a week compared with a low pile rug.
Why does deep pile hold so much road dust?
Deep pile holds dust because every tuft is a long column with space around it, and fine grit falls down that space to the base of the rug. A low rug keeps dust near the surface, where a vacuum reaches it easily.
That buried grit is the real enemy. Each time someone walks across, it rubs against the base of the fibres, slowly wearing them. Our glossary entries on shag and plush pile explain the difference in depth between the two.
How should you vacuum a long pile rug?
Vacuum a long pile rug with suction only, the brush roll or beater bar off, and the head raised to its highest setting. A spinning brush grabs long fibres, tangles them, and can pull them loose.
- Raise the head. If the vacuum struggles to move, it is too low and is sucking the pile into the nozzle.
- Go slow. Make slow, overlapping passes in one direction, then a second set across them.
- Use the hose for edges. Run the plain hose along the ends rather than the floor head.
Twice a week is a sensible rhythm in Delhi or Hyderabad. Our guide on vacuuming a fine area rug covers the basics for every pile height.
Is shaking or beating better for a shag rug?
Shaking is better for a small shag rug, and tapping the back is better for a large one. Hard beating can break fibres at the base and, on a hand-tufted rug, loosen the backing.
The Pearl Fold Wool Rug, hand tufted in New Zealand wool and sold in 5x8 ft, is small enough for two people to take to a balcony and shake by the short ends. You will see a cloud of dust leave a rug that looked clean.
For a 9x12 ft Plush Wool Rug, fold it back on itself in sections and tap the underside with an open hand or a soft broom. Then vacuum the floor beneath, and the face once more.
The dust you can see on a shag rug is the small part. The rest is at the roots.
How do you bring flattened pile back up?
Flattened pile comes back up when you work it gently against the direction it has been pressed. Use your fingers, a soft clothes brush or a wide toothed comb, lifting rather than dragging.
- For dents from furniture, place a damp, not wet, cloth over the spot for a few minutes, then lift the pile with your fingers and let it dry.
- For walkway paths, brush across the path in short strokes once a week.
- Rotate the rug every few months so the same strip is not always under foot.
Never use steam or a hot iron on deep pile. Heat can set the fibres in the flattened position.
What do you do with a spill in deep pile?
With a spill in deep pile, blot down through the full depth of the tufts, because liquid sinks to the base faster than it spreads. Part the pile with your fingers so the cloth reaches the bottom.
- Blot with a white cloth, pressing firmly.
- Dab cool water into the spot and blot again until the cloth is clean.
- Squeeze the tufts gently between two towels.
- Prop the area up and run a fan across it; deep wool can take a day to dry at the base.
The darker Plush Wool Rug in Copper hides small marks well, while the paler Camel shows them sooner. For deeper reading on the Rugberry plush range, see our guide to the Plush Collection and deep pile rugs.
How do plush and shag compare for an Indian family home?
A plush rug has dense, even pile and suits a living room with daily use; a shag rug has longer, looser pile and suits a bedroom where it is walked on barefoot. For a home with a pet or a toddler, choose a plush pile over a long shag because it traps less and is easier to clean.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a robot vacuum on a shag rug?
Most robot vacuums use a spinning brush and can tangle in long pile. Set it to avoid the rug and vacuum the rug by hand with suction only.
Why is my new plush rug shedding so much?
New wool rugs release loose fibre left from making for the first weeks. Regular suction only vacuuming removes it, and shedding should slow steadily.
How often should a shag rug be professionally cleaned?
About once a year in a dusty city is a good rule. Deep pile holds more grit than a low rug, so it benefits from a full professional wash more often.
Shake it, lift it, let it breathe. Material first.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.