what is shag rug

What Is Shag Rug | Are Shaggy Rugs In Style 2023

What is shag rug?
A handwoven wool shag always has longer pile heights, ranging from one to four inches. The best thick shaggy rug is soft, durable and reasonably priced. They are mainly made of wool and synthetic materials with a fluffy texture.

These elegant and luxurious floor decorations are a great addition to any style of decor. Let’s take a look at the different types of shag fuzzy rugs, the techniques for how to care for a shag rug, how to clean shag area rug, how to make a shaggy rug fluffy again, etc.

What Is Shag Rug Also Called?

People often get confused with the other names shag area rugs have. Some of the commonly used names for these rugs are shaggy rugs, Moroccan shag rugs, Flokati rugs, fuzzy rugs, plush rugs, sheepskin rugs, fluffy rugs, and long pile rugs.

Advantages Of Shaggy Rugs

Unique Home Decor

It creates a look that no other kind of rug can produce. A good quality Moroccan shag rug is an excellent option for low-traffic areas. They come in a wide range of sizes and colors, and they keep their colors well.

Inexpensive Option

Although wool shag fuzzy rugs are a little expensive, opting for a shag in acrylic is an excellent idea if you have budget constraints. They are one of the most inexpensive rugs among all types of carpets. They offer similar texture and appearance while being available at the lowest price. So please place them in the most special room in the house.

Coziest Rug

Because of their much higher pile height, shaggy carpets feel bulgy and soft underfoot when you walk on them.

Sheepskin Look

A longer-pile plush shag rug can mimic the look of real sheepskin rugs to a great extent. These rugs are a great way to incorporate a piece of animal skin, such as a rug, in any desired color and size.

Shaggy Pillow Covers

Did you know that shag plush rugs are used to make some of the most popular pillows? Yes, interior designers often use shaggy decorative pillows to give the sofa and bed a unique look.

Contact Us For Custom Rug Pillows

shaggy white pillow
Shaggy White Pillow In Wool

Why Buy Modern Shaggy Rugs

Shag area rugs are fashionable rugs made of wool, silk, nylon, malai-dori, leather, cotton, and other natural and synthetic materials. They are woven in different styles and techniques and are soft and plush.

  • No matter how big or small a shag rug is, it takes very little time to make it, which means that it is made at a low cost. 
  • They are plush area rugs that are soft and cozy underfoot and keep you warm during the coldest months of the year.
  • Perfect for modern interior décor. Suitable for spaces from living rooms, bathrooms, kitchen to kids’ rooms.
  • Super easy to clean: Make a vacuum cleaner to pull out dust and dirt from the shaggy pile. Vacuum at least once every 3-4 weeks.
  • Hygienic

Different Types Of Shaggy Rugs

There are different types of rugs available in shag carpets, and while you want to make a purchase, decide on the following options based on their features and appearance. They all vary in design patterns, the material used for their construction, and their unique building types. So what is shag rug more known for? Yes, it’s the variety they are available in.

Types of shaggy rugs can be categorized on three different bases:

  1. Pile height
  2. Texture
  3. Material

Pile Height

One of the most significant features of a shag rug is that the pile height is often higher than any other rug. The pile height of a shag rug could range from as low as 1 inch to as high as 6 inches. The standard height, however, is 2 to 3 inches.

Texture

In wool, the texture formation can be of two types: regular and “Gurchi.”

A shag rug with a regular texture looks simple with a long pile of fiber. A Gurchi-texture shag rug has a wispy end and is made by breaking the fibers by giving it a hard wash with a special solution for a softer and fluffier texture.

Material

Shag carpets are made from a wide variety of materials, such as natural fiber, wool, synthetics, flokati, leather, and acrylic.

1. Wool

Wool fiber is widely regarded as the industry standard. They are soft, reliable, and durable enough to last for decades. They offer incredible texture and a warm factor for the cold hardwood floors you may have. They provide natural insulation for your floor. 

Just be aware that since wool rugs are expensive, you may want to double-check the use and location of your rug.

2. Flokati

If you want fluffy rugs with a lot of variety, Flokati should be your first choice. In the beginning, they only came in white or cream colors, but as technology has improved, they are now also available in other colors.

Flokati shag rugs are thick wool area rugs that are 100% pure wool. The single most difficult aspect of caring for flokati rugs is their light color. They get dirty quickly.

3. Leather

Extremely cheeky, leather rugs are a fantastic way to add an “x-factor” to your decor. They look amazing and feel even better on the toes. Only its presence in your room can enhance the beauty of its decoration a little more.

The best part about them is that their cleaning process is simple and convenient. All you need to do is use a leather cleaner on a leather shag rug. However, there is one crucial thing to keep in mind: avoiding food or liquid spills, as this can catch your pet’s attention and cause damage to the pile.

4. Acrylic

Acrylic fabric is best known for its great qualities as a carpeting material, like how soft it is, how well it resists stains, and how luxurious it feels. They offer a wool-like appearance while being cost-effective and light on the budget. The acrylic yarn dyes well and therefore provides substantial color variations for rugs.

5. Synthetics

Most designer shags are made of man-made materials like polyester, nylon, and viscose, which is a type of artificial silk.

How To Clean A Shag Rug At Home

Now comes the cleaning process and how you can care for and clean them. A plush shaggy rug can be revitalized with regular, proper cleaning. Rugs with long piles tend to accumulate more dirt and dust.

There are also some more traditional ways to clean, such as tapping with a broom or mop handle to loosen dirt and dust. Use a shag carpet rake for more convenient cleaning.
Vacuuming, shampooing dry, steam cleaning, and soaking up occasional spills with a white cloth or paper towel.

Before you choose any of the cleaning methods listed, you should definitely check the care label on the item.

Also, note that some rugs require a professional shag carpet cleaner, so choose one whose cleaning you can afford.

Drawbacks Of Wool Shag Rugs

Difficult And Expensive To Clean

Thick rugs like the shag have a higher pile height and need quite a bit of maintenance, as dirt particles can stick between the fibers and are hard to remove. If washing and cleaning these rugs thoroughly at home is not a good idea, one may have to learn how to wash a shag rug. Since washing them gets very heavy, the cleaning companies charge more.

Fiber Sheds And Less Durable

Low-quality material and low-quality weaving can lead to the fiber coming off over time. They are not suitable for high-traffic areas, and they do not last as long as low-pile height rugs. Hence, they are also not pet-friendly rugs either.

Allergic And Health Hazards

Not only are shag carpets hard to clean, but they are also bad for the environment. Since the fiber of these rugs sheds, they are more likely to cause allergies when compared to other types of rugs. Also, keeping them clean will help reduce the level of allergens in your home.

Expensive To Buy

Wool shag rugs are not only expensive to clean and maintain, but they are also expensive to purchase. They are woven in the knotted style, with a pile height much higher than other standard rug types. Being heavier, it adds to the cost of shipping, making it more expensive.

Difference Between Shaggy And Fluffy Carpets

Both shag and fluffy rugs are soft and have a good pile height. While fluffy rugs are known for their softness, shaggy rugs are more known for their long and thick pile height.

Conclusion

Shaggy carpets have been in the industry long enough to be among the best options when it comes to dressing your floor. Even though it’s challenging to keep it clean and tidy, people prefer thick shaggy rugs to any other type of carpet because they look and feel more expensive. So now you understand “what is shag rug,” and if you have any questions, please contact us.

Common Questions

How to fluff a shag rug?

To give your carpet more loft, you can steam clean it or rake it. The heat and moisture will help the fibers reset, and you’ll get a nice, fluffy carpet once again. Smaller areas of thick carpets and area rugs work best with this method.

How to dry a shag rug?

If you have washed the rug instead of spot cleaning, first drain out the water as much as possible for quicker drying. After that, place it in direct sunlight to dry completely.

How to clean a shag pile rug?

Hold and wrench the rug enough to let the dust and dirt come to the rug’s surface.
To remove any remaining residue, rake the rug with a comb.
Go with spot cleaning using soapy water, a clean towel, and dry thoroughly.

How to wash a shaggy rug in washing machine?

We do not recommend washing fluffy rugs in the washing machine until the rug is small and has a lower pile of 1 to 2 inches. Always clean a fluffy rug by hand if it has a pile height of about 3 inches or more.

How to make a shag rug?

A good-quality wool shag rug is made using the hand knotting technique. For denser shag, the weaving is done more compactly, resulting in a higher KPSI.

How to shampoo shag rug?

First, to clean a fluffy rug by hand, pour enough water so that the shampoo reaches the depth of the rug. Apply shampoo and rub gently. Use spacious bristles for deeper cleaning.

How to vacuum a shag rug?

Because shag rugs have a long pile, they require special vacuuming to remove as much dirt from the base and top as possible.
1. First, wrench the rug to pull all dirt and debris from within the rug.
2. Use the vacuum and run it over the rug’s surface. Turn the rug upside down and clean if the rug pile is too high.
3. Repeat the process until the results are satisfactory.

How to deep clean shag rug?

Hold and jerk the rug enough to let the dust and dirt come to the rug’s surface.
Rake the rug using a not too sharp bristle comb to pull out the remaining residue.
Go with spot cleaning using soapy water, clean towel, and dry thoroughly.