Alpina
Bouclé Throw Pillow
$120
from $10/mo
Material Guide
Wool Rugs & Throws
Wool has floored and clothed the northern hemisphere for millennia because the fibre is structurally clever: a crimped, scaled protein that traps air, absorbs moisture without feeling wet, resists flame and recovers its shape after compression. Every synthetic rug fibre is an attempt to imitate it.
Origins & Types of Wool
New Zealand wool is white and takes dye brilliantly; Tibetan and Himalayan wool has longer fibres and a natural lustre; undyed wools in cream, grey and brown avoid dye entirely. Construction matters more than origin: hand-knotted rugs last generations, hand-tufted rugs are more affordable but shed more, and flat weaves and kilims are reversible and low-profile.
How to Style Wool
Wool is the default for rugs that need to survive real traffic. Layer a smaller patterned wool over a large jute for depth, or use one large wool rug to define a seating zone. Undyed wool throws add texture to leather and velvet without introducing another colour into the scheme.
Wool Care & Maintenance
Expect a new wool rug to shed for several weeks; vacuum without a beater bar until it settles. Rotate annually for even wear, use a good underlay to prevent abrasion, blot spills immediately with cold water, and have larger rugs professionally cleaned every few years rather than shampooed at home.
Shop Wool
Wool Questions
- Why is my new wool rug shedding?
- Loose fibres from manufacture work free over four to eight weeks. Vacuum gently and it stops.
- Is hand-knotted worth the premium?
- For a rug expected to last decades, yes — knots do not shed or delaminate the way tufting can.
- Does wool stain?
- Less than most fibres. Lanolin makes wool naturally resistant if spills are blotted quickly.
- Can wool rugs go under a dining table?
- A flat weave can. Avoid high pile, which traps crumbs and shows chair marks.
- Is wool suitable for allergies?
- Wool traps allergens in the pile rather than circulating them; regular vacuuming manages it well.