Rug Fibre Guide
The fibre a rug is made from decides how it feels underfoot, how it copes with feet, pets and spills, and how you clean it. Here is a plain-English guide to every fibre you will find on Rugs Depot, with the rooms each one suits best.
Rug fibres compared
A quick comparison — more dots is better. Ratings are general guidance for each fibre; construction, pile height and backing matter too, so always check the product page.
| Fibre | Softness | Durability | Easy care | Best rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene | ●●●○○ | ●●●●○ | ●●●●● | Living rooms, hallways, dining rooms |
| Polyester | ●●●●○ | ●●●○○ | ●●●●○ | Bedrooms, living rooms, printed designs |
| Chenille | ●●●●● | ●●●○○ | ●●●●○ | Washable rugs for homes with kids and pets |
| Wool | ●●●●○ | ●●●●● | ●●●●○ | Living rooms and bedrooms |
| Jute & natural | ●●○○○ | ●●●○○ | ●●○○○ | Dry, low-traffic rooms; layering |
| Cotton | ●●●○○ | ●●○○○ | ●●○○○ | Kitchens, kids rooms, flatweaves |
| Viscose | ●●●●● | ●○○○○ | ●○○○○ | Bedrooms and low-traffic areas |
| Acrylic | ●●●●○ | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | Bedrooms, living rooms |
| Microfibre | ●●●●● | ●●○○○ | ●●●○○ | Shaggy rugs, bedrooms, bathrooms |
Polypropylene rugs
Polypropylene (PP, also called olefin) is the most widely used fibre in machine-made rugs. It is a tough synthetic that hardly absorbs water, so most spills sit on the surface and can be blotted away.
- Hard-wearing and affordable
- Resists stains and moisture
- Holds detailed patterns and colours well
- Can flatten under heavy furniture over time
- Keep away from direct heat such as fires
Best for: busy living rooms, hallways and dining rooms. Shop polypropylene rugs →
Polyester rugs
Polyester is a soft synthetic with a slight sheen. It takes dye and print beautifully, which is why it is used for many printed and washable rugs.
- Soft and colourful
- Good fade resistance
- Ideal for printed designs
- The pile is less springy than wool or polypropylene
- Oily stains need treating quickly
Best for: bedrooms, living rooms and printed designs. Shop polyester rugs →
Chenille rugs
Chenille is a yarn with a short, velvety pile — the word is French for caterpillar. Our designer washable rugs are polyester chenille printed with richly detailed designs, giving a soft, matt-velvet feel.
- Very soft underfoot
- Our designer washable chenille rugs can be machine washed at 30°C — follow the care label
- Air dry flat; do not tumble dry
- Large sizes may need a large-capacity machine
Best for: family rooms, kitchens, kids rooms and homes with pets. Shop chenille rugs →
Wool rugs
Wool is the classic natural rug fibre. Its natural crimp makes it springy and resilient, and the lanolin in the fibre helps it shrug off everyday dirt.
- Resilient — the pile recovers after being walked on
- Naturally flame-resistant
- Warm and insulating
- New wool rugs shed loose fibres for the first weeks; vacuum regularly
- Clean spills quickly and use a professional cleaner for deep cleaning
Best for: living rooms and bedrooms where you want a rug that lasts. Shop wool rugs →
Jute & natural fibre rugs
Jute, sisal and coir are plant fibres with a textured, earthy look. They bring warmth to minimalist and coastal rooms and work well layered under a smaller patterned rug.
- Natural, textured and calm
- Works with almost any style
- Great for layering
- Not for damp areas — water can mark plant fibres
- Coarser underfoot than synthetics; vacuum without a beater bar
Best for: dry, low to medium traffic rooms such as living rooms and studies. Shop jute & natural fibre rugs →
Cotton rugs
Cotton is used mainly for flatwoven and printed rugs. It is light, easy to move and often washable — check the care label on each rug.
- Light and easy to lift
- Often washable
- Flat, so it suits doorways
- Wears faster than synthetics in heavy traffic
- Use a non-slip underlay on hard floors
Best for: kitchens, kids rooms and bedrooms. Shop cotton rugs →
Viscose rugs
Viscose (also sold as art silk) is made from plant cellulose. It gives rugs a silk-like shine and very soft hand, often used for highlights in a pattern.
- Lustrous, silk-like finish
- Very soft
- Delicate: water can mark it, so blot spills — never rub
- Not suited to busy hallways, kitchens or homes with pets
Best for: bedrooms and low-traffic living spaces. Shop viscose rugs →
Acrylic rugs
Acrylic is a synthetic developed to feel like wool. It is soft, warm and holds colour well, at a lower price than wool.
- Soft, wool-like feel
- Colourfast and lightweight
- Can pill or fuzz in heavy traffic
- Keep away from direct heat
Best for: bedrooms and living rooms. Shop acrylic rugs →
Microfibre rugs
Microfibre uses extremely fine synthetic filaments, which makes for a plush, almost fur-like touch. It is common in shaggy and bathroom rugs.
- Ultra soft and plush
- Absorbent
- Long piles need regular shaking or vacuuming on a high setting
- Can hold onto pet hair
Best for: bedrooms, bathrooms and cosy corners. Shop microfibre rugs →
Rug fibre FAQs
Which rug fibre is the most durable?
Wool and polypropylene are the most durable everyday fibres. Wool recovers well after being walked on; polypropylene resists stains and moisture.
Which rug is best for pets and children?
A washable rug is the easiest choice: our designer washable chenille rugs can go in the washing machine at 30°C. Polypropylene is another practical option because it resists stains.
Which fibre is softest?
Chenille, microfibre and viscose are the softest underfoot. Viscose is delicate, so choose chenille or microfibre for busy rooms.
How do I find a rug by fibre?
Use the Fibre menu at the top of the page, or the Fibre filter on any collection page.