FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PRODUCT
Why are natural fibers important?
At Armadillo, we are drawn to natural fibers because they are sustainable and as practical as they are beautiful. By their very nature, they possess subtle, unique variations and have a rich, tactile, sensory feel that you won’t find with manmade materials and that makes them a pleasure to live with.
The natural fibers we carefully source for our rugs not only add visual and physical warmth to the home, they are also incredibly durable and easy to care for. A rug made from wool, jute or linen feels incredibly luxurious underfoot and will wear in, not out, over time, making them ideal for modern living.
Which natural fiber will suit me best?
Most people are very comfortable with wool as it’s a fiber we know and love. We source our wool from all over the world, including New Zealand, India, Argentina and Europe. Wool feels luxurious, is easy to care for, has good natural stain resistance and helps to absorb sound.
Jute is a hardwearing yet supple fiber suitable for both residential and light commercial spaces. It softens over time and is perfect for usage from family-friendly floor coverings to inviting office interior accents.
Linen is extremely durable and has a soft handle lustrous texture. In addition to its tactile beauty, it possesses exceptional anti-bacterial, anti-static and non-allergenic properties, making it an ideal material for everyday use.
Silk is a beautiful natural fiber with a soft feel and a gentle sheen. Despite its elegant appearance, it is surprisingly strong and durable. Cool to the touch in summer and providing warmth in winter, it is suitable for year-round use.
The choice simply comes down to which rug you like best and which one is more suitable to your needs.
How are your rugs made?
Our rugs are handmade on looms by traditional artisans in India. Different weaving techniques and weights of yarn create variations in the finished styles and designs.
What is the difference between a hand made and machine made rug?
Our rugs are individually produced on traditional looms that are hand-powered by artisans. No mechanical assistance is used during the weaving process except for the zigzag stitching on our Braid rug, which is done with a manual sewing machine.
By making our rugs by hand, Armadillo has chosen to embrace the organic natural variation that is evident. Machine-made rugs are more likely to appear ‘perfect’ but lack in unique character, while individual weaving techniques give handmade rugs their distinctiveness, like the beauty marks of a truly unique, one-off artwork.
What is the difference between a flat-woven and hand-knotted rug?
Flat-weave rugs are handmade on a loom by weaving horizontal yarns through the vertical yarns (warp). They have the sturdiness to withstand high-traffic areas, are easier to clean and suit people with allergies or pets.
Hand-knotted rugs are incredibly labor-intensive and involve our artisans tying individual knots to the warp yarns that make up the length of each rug. Together, these intricate knots form a lavishly soft and plush pile.
What is the best rug for people with allergies?
Flat-weave rugs are an excellent choice for people with dust allergies. Unlike carpet, flat-weave rugs have a very low profile and no pile, so fewer allergens get stuck in the fibers. They also allow dirt or dust to fall through the weave, rather than sitting on the top as happens with carpet. Since the rugs aren’t fixed to the floor, you are then able to clean underneath them.
Regular cleaning is still highly recommended for flat-weave rugs to remove any dust that settles on the rug. A weekly vacuum with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner will eliminate dust mites and help rugs to look newer for longer. Cleaning under rugs each week is also necessary, since any leftover dust will work its way underneath. Dust allergy websites recommend vacuuming the whole underside of rugs.
How long will my rug last?
Our rugs are durable but will require maintenance to keep them looking good. You can expect a rug from our Classic Collection to last for at least 5 years, provided it is well-maintained and used in a residential environment (less if used in high-traffic areas). Rugs from our Heirloom Collection, if properly looked after, can be expected to last for decades.
Can I order a custom rug or runner?
For all custom sized rugs and runners, please contact a member of the Armadillo sales team who will happily assist you with your order.
Can Armadillo rugs be custom made for stairways?
We do not recommend our rugs to be used as stairway runners.
What are your rug dyes made of?
We only use the highest quality Chromatone dyes to maintain color consistency and reliability. We also use many undyed natural fibers in our range. Depending on the color to be dyed and the yarn, different products are used to offer the highest quality possible. All of these are free of harmful benzene chemicals.
Will there be variation in rug size or color?
As our rugs are handmade, sizes can vary by 4% for stock rugs and 3% for custom rugs from the dimensions ordered.
Every effort is made to ensure there is minimal color variation, however, some can be expected. 5% is the Australian Standard for Carpet Color Variation.
What is a rug underlay?
An underlay is laid beneath your rug or runner to prevent slipping, provide extra comfort and extend the life of your rug. It is highly recommended for all of our rugs.
An underlay can be placed on smooth or hard floors (hardwood, parquet, laminate, tile, stone, marble, cork and PVC floor coverings) and on heated floors. It can also be used on carpets to prevent rugs from creeping. Newly sealed floors must be completely dry and cured before laying any rug or underlay.
Our underlays measure 1/8 inch in thickness with a light adhesive finish on both sides. Underlays should be 2 inches smaller than your rug on each side.
How do I install a rug underlay?
Ensure the underlay is cut approximately 2 inches smaller than the size of your rug on all sides.
Clean the floor where the rug will lay so that it is free of dust, wax and grease. Place the underlay on the floor and carefully roll the rug out into position. If the underlay is in many pieces (as will be the case with large-sized rugs), lay them together with no overlap before placing down the rug.
Newly sealed floors must be completely dry and cured. We recommend a curing period of at least 4 weeks before the installation of any underlay.
SERVICE
Where can I purchase an Armadillo rug?
You can purchase your Armadillo rug online or in-store at your local showroom.
Can I sample a rug before I order?
Yes. We offer complimentary sampling via our website.
There is a limit of 3 samples per order for customers, and 5 samples per order for our Trade partners.
As a registered BCorp, sustainability is front of mind. All sample orders are sent out with a prepaid return label for you, once you are finished with your samples.
CARE & MAINTENANCE
Can I sample a rug before I order?
Yes. We offer complimentary sampling via our website.
There is a limit of 3 samples per order for customers, and 5 samples per order for our Trade partners.
As a registered BCorp, sustainability is front of mind. All sample orders are sent out with a prepaid return label for you, once you are finished with your samples.
How do I clean spills on my rug?
The golden rule is to attend to the spill or stain as quickly as possible to minimize the risk of permanent damage.
For small spills, place a damp chamois over the spill and apply reasonable pressure to draw up as much liquid as possible. If the stain is still apparent, you will need to repeat the process and, if necessary, moisten with water or a solution of mild detergent. We recommend a wool treatment such as our Barefoot rug cleaner. Ensure you remove all traces of the detergent by diluting the stained area with minimal water and then draw as much of the liquid up as possible again. You can cover it with a colorfast cloth and weigh down the area for a few hours. Never saturate or vigorously rub the stain.
Alternatively, you can contact your local Armadillo store for a list of recommended carpet cleaning professionals in your area.
How do I clean my whole rug?
Please contact us for a list of recommended rug cleaners in your area.
How do I reduce color fading?
All natural fibers will be affected in some way by the sun. There is no hard and fast rule – the amount of sun and its intensity are the most obvious factors to consider. Avoiding the harsh, western sun where possible is desirable to reduce fading. We recommend rotating your rugs to minimize damage caused by direct sunlight.
Why does my rug have threads sticking out?
We call these pop-ups. Depending on the type of rug, you may see a strand of fiber sticking up from your brand new rug. These will occur as the rug settles. Trimming of pop-ups is usually required every couple of weeks for the first few months, but they should slow down as the rug settles into position.
Why does my furniture indent my rug?
Heavy furniture can flatten a rug’s pile. Using furniture caps and rotating your rug regularly will help to minimize indentation.
GLOSSARY
Flat-weave
A rug making style without piles or knots. Flat-weave rugs are crafted on a loom where the weft is tightly intertwined with the warp.
Flattening
When areas of a rug are flattened due to heavy traffic or from being under furniture.
Hand Binding
Hand-stitched overlocking that gives a neat, straight finish to some or all of a rug's edges. This can be used instead of a ‘turnover’ at the short ends of the rug to create the same finish on all four sides.
Handmade
All our rugs are handwoven or hand-knotted on looms with manual gears. No mechanical assistance is used during our manufacturing process.
Jute
A long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that is spun into strong yarn with an even count (consistent thickness). It forms a robust warp and edging for a selection of our jute rugs.
Loom
An apparatus for weaving that holds the warp strands tight so the weft can be passed under and over. It can be vertical, horizontal, mobile or fixed, depending on the weave.
Loom Binding
Hand-stitched overlocking that gives a neat, straight finish to a rug’s long side edges.
Pop-up
The end of a strand of fiber that has come unlocked from the weave. This can be carefully trimmed without affecting the integrity of the weave.
Soumak
A flat-weave style where knots are used to create a ‘knitted’ appearance.
Shedding
A slight loss of rug fibers, which is very normal for natural materials. The amount depends on the usage of the rug. Expect an initial ‘settling in’ period which can be helped along by regular vacuuming.
Side Binding
Hand-stitched overlocking that gives a neat, straight finish to a rug’s long side edges.
Tassels
Warp threads extend beyond the ends of a rug.
Turnover
A neat finish to the shorter ends of a rug is created by turning over the woven warp threads which are then hand sewn into place.
Underlay
Non-slip rubber is placed under a rug to provide added safety, softness, noise reduction and protection from wear and tear.
Warp
The vertical strands of yarn run the entire length of the rug forming the frame onto which the weft is woven. Different arrangements of warp threads create various patterns.
Weft
The particular way the warp and weft interlace. Different warp and weft arrangements along with the use of gearings create different weave patterns.
Commercially Graded
Hand-stitched overlocking that gives a neat, straight finish to a rug’s long side edges.
SHOWROOMS
RUG PLACEMENT GUIDE
Care + Maintenance
Delivery + Shipping