Rug Care & Product Information

Everything you need to know about the natural characteristics, care and maintenance of your Gamila rug.

Rugs are textile products and, depending on their fibre, construction and manufacturing method, can naturally display variations and characteristics that are completely normal. Please read the information below before purchasing and caring for your rug.

This information should be read alongside our Returns Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Creasing, Rippling & Bunching

Rugs are stored and transported tightly rolled and wrapped. As a result, your rug may have creases, ripples, curled edges or areas of bunching when it is first unrolled.

This is completely normal and your rug will gradually relax and flatten with time. The time required can vary depending on the rug and how long it has been rolled.

If you would like to speed up the settling process, we recommend:

  • Reverse rolling: Flip the rug over and roll it tightly in the opposite direction to how it was originally rolled. Leave for approximately 24 hours, then unroll and check. Repeat if necessary.

  • Gentle warmth: Lay the rug flat in a warm, sunny area for a short period. The warmth can help the fibres and backing relax.

  • Applying weight: Place a heavy, flat-bottomed object over stubborn creases or raised areas for several hours or overnight.

We recommend allowing your rug to settle before applying rug tape.

Initial creasing, rippling, curling and bunching caused by storage and transportation are normal characteristics of a new rug and are not considered manufacturing faults. These will generally improve naturally with time, with the measures above simply helping to speed up the process.

Shedding

Some shedding is completely normal, particularly with new rugs.

Loose and shorter fibres naturally work their way out of the pile through everyday use and vacuuming. Shedding can sometimes appear significant when a rug is new but will generally reduce as the rug settles.

Wool and viscose are naturally higher-shedding fibres and may continue to shed to some degree throughout the life of the rug. This is a natural characteristic of these fibres and is not considered a manufacturing fault.

If you prefer a low-shedding rug, polypropylene and polyester are generally more suitable options.

Regular, appropriate vacuuming can help remove loose fibres and manage shedding.

Handmade & Woven Rugs

The beauty of a handmade rug is that no two pieces are exactly the same.

Handmade, handwoven, braided and artisan-made rugs may naturally have slight variations in:

  • Colour and shading

  • Weave and texture

  • Pattern and alignment

  • Shape and dimensions

  • Edges and finishing

  • Fibre thickness

  • Individual tufts or yarn ends

These variations are part of the handmade nature of the product and give each rug its individual character. They are not considered manufacturing faults.

Occasionally, you may notice a tuft or yarn end protruding from the surface. This can occur when the end of the yarn works its way out from where it has been tucked into the weave.

Never pull a loose tuft or thread, as this may damage the rug. Where appropriate, gently push the tuft back into the weave using a blunt object.

Colour & Online Images

We take great care to represent the colours and appearance of our rugs as accurately as possible.

However, rugs can appear different depending on your screen settings, natural light, artificial lighting, surrounding furniture, flooring and wall colours.

Our product photography is captured using professional equipment and controlled lighting. A rug may therefore appear lighter, darker, warmer or cooler once placed within your own home.

The appearance of a rug can also change throughout the day as the natural and artificial lighting within your room changes.

Reasonable colour differences between online imagery and how a rug appears within your home are normal when purchasing textiles and home décor online and are not considered manufacturing faults.

If you're unsure about the colour or style of a rug before purchasing, please contact us for styling assistance.

New Rug Smell

Some rugs may have a noticeable smell when first removed from their packaging. This is particularly common when a rug has been tightly rolled and wrapped for an extended period.

We recommend unrolling your rug in a well-ventilated area and allowing it to air naturally.

Any initial "new rug", musty or manufacturing-type smell should gradually dissipate as the rug airs. Depending on the rug and environment, this may take anywhere from several days to a few weeks.

An initial odour that dissipates through normal airing is a normal characteristic and is not considered a manufacturing fault.

Rug Underlays

We strongly recommend using a suitable anti-slip rug underlay or rug pad underneath your rug, particularly when placed on floorboards, tiles or other hard flooring.

A quality rug underlay can help:

  • Keep your rug securely in place

  • Reduce slipping and movement

  • Minimise bunching, rippling and wrinkling

  • Maintain the rug's shape

  • Reduce unnecessary wear

  • Protect the flooring underneath

Some movement or bunching can naturally occur when a rug is placed directly onto a smooth floor without an appropriate underlay.

Always ensure the underlay you select is suitable for both your rug and the particular flooring underneath it.

Fading & Sunlight

Like other textiles, furnishings and flooring, rugs can fade when exposed to sunlight over time.

Direct sunlight generally causes fading more quickly than indirect light. Natural fibres such as wool and jute can be particularly susceptible to fading, while some synthetic fibres offer greater resistance.

If furniture covers part of your rug, the exposed sections may gradually become lighter than the areas protected from sunlight. This is a normal result of UV exposure.

To minimise fading and uneven wear, we recommend:

  • Rotating your rug 180 degrees every 3–6 months

  • Limiting prolonged exposure to strong direct sunlight

  • Using curtains, blinds or other window coverings where practical

Fading resulting from sunlight, environmental exposure or normal use is considered normal wear and is not a manufacturing fault.

Rotating Your Rug

We recommend rotating your rug 180 degrees every 3–6 months.

Regular rotation helps distribute foot traffic, sunlight exposure and everyday wear more evenly, helping your rug maintain its appearance for longer.

Vacuuming & Cleaning

Regular vacuuming will help maintain your rug and remove dust, dirt and loose fibres.

Always consider the construction and fibre of your particular rug when vacuuming. Delicate, handmade and natural-fibre rugs may require gentler care.

Avoid aggressive vacuum settings or rotating/beater-bar heads on delicate rugs, as these can catch, pull or damage the fibres.

Professional rug cleaning is recommended when a deeper clean is required, particularly for handmade, wool and other natural-fibre rugs.

Depending on household use, professional cleaning every 1–3 years may be appropriate. Rugs in high-traffic areas may require more frequent cleaning.

Always follow the individual care instructions provided for your rug.

Natural & Synthetic Fibres

There is no single "best" rug fibre. Different fibres offer different benefits and characteristics, so we recommend considering your household, lifestyle and intended use when selecting your rug.

Synthetic fibres, such as polypropylene and polyester, are generally durable, stain resistant and low shedding. They can be an excellent choice for busy households, children's spaces and high-traffic areas.

Natural fibres, including wool, cotton and jute, offer beautiful texture, warmth and character. However, they can require additional care and may naturally shed, fade or display variations in texture and colour.

Understanding these characteristics before purchasing will help you choose the most suitable rug for your space and lifestyle.

Rugs in Children's Rooms

When choosing a rug for a child's room, it is important to consider the characteristics of the individual fibre, particularly for babies and young children.

We do not recommend wool or other high-shedding rugs for babies' or young children's rooms. Wool rugs naturally shed loose fibres, particularly when new. Loose fibres may be picked up or placed in the mouth by babies and young children and may present a potential choking hazard.

For children's rooms, we generally recommend low-shedding synthetic fibres such as polypropylene or polyester, particularly for younger children. These fibres are also durable and practical for busy family spaces.

Regardless of the fibre, babies and young children should not be permitted to place loose rug fibres, threads or tufts in their mouths.

We recommend airing any new rug in a well-ventilated area before placing it in a child's bedroom, particularly if there is an initial new-rug smell.

We also strongly recommend using an appropriate anti-slip rug underlay beneath rugs in children's rooms to help minimise slipping, movement and bunching.

Outdoor Rugs

Only rugs specifically described as outdoor rugs should be used outdoors.

Indoor rugs should not be placed outdoors, even in a covered area, unless the product is expressly stated to be suitable for outdoor use.

While outdoor rugs are designed to withstand greater environmental exposure than indoor rugs, keeping your rug in a partially or fully covered outdoor area and avoiding unnecessary or prolonged saturation will help extend its life.

If your outdoor rug becomes wet, allow it to dry thoroughly. Where possible, lay it flat on a clean, elevated surface with good airflow.

Avoid hanging a wet rug over furniture, railings or other objects, as the weight of the wet rug may cause it to temporarily stretch or distort.

Outdoor rugs will still experience normal weathering, fading and wear over time.

Storing Your Rug

Before storing your rug, ensure it is clean and completely dry.

For best results:

  • Roll rather than fold your rug

  • Wrap it in a clean, breathable material

  • Keep it elevated from the ground

  • Store it in a cool, dry environment

  • Avoid prolonged storage in ordinary plastic where moisture may become trapped

  • Periodically check the rug for moisture, mould, insects or other deterioration

Correct storage will help preserve the shape and condition of your rug.

Normal Rug Characteristics

Rugs are textile products, and some things that may initially appear to be imperfections are actually normal characteristics of the material, construction, storage or transportation process.

Depending on your rug, normal characteristics may include:

  • Initial creasing, rippling, curling or bunching

  • Temporary odour after unpacking

  • Shedding, particularly from wool and viscose

  • Minor variations in colour, texture or weave

  • Handmade variations and irregularities

  • Occasional yarn sprouts or raised tufts

  • Movement when used without an appropriate rug underlay

  • Gradual fading from sunlight

  • Normal wear from household use

  • Reasonable colour differences between online images and your individual home environment

Some of these characteristics will improve naturally as your rug settles, while others are inherent to the materials and construction of the rug and form part of its natural appearance.

These normal characteristics are not considered manufacturing faults.

If You Believe Your Rug Is Faulty

If you believe your rug has a genuine manufacturing fault, please contact Gamila Rugs with your order details and clear photographs showing the area of concern so that our team can assess it for you.

Please keep in mind that the normal characteristics outlined above do not necessarily indicate that a rug is faulty.

Returns & Consumer Rights

Gamila Rugs offers free change-of-mind returns within 7 days for eligible purchases, subject to the eligibility requirements, conditions and exclusions outlined in our Returns Policy.

Please refer to our Returns Policy for full details regarding change-of-mind returns and how to arrange a return.

Nothing on this page is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any consumer guarantee, right or remedy available to you under the Australian Consumer Law.

Where a product has a genuine fault or otherwise fails to meet a consumer guarantee, your rights and available remedies will apply in accordance with Australian Consumer Law.