Handmade Vs. Machine-Made Rugs: What is the Difference?

Adding a rug to your home is a simple way to completely elevate your space. But choosing the right rug for your space isn’t always an easy task. With so many different kinds of rugs on the market, how do you know which rug is right for you?

One thing to look at when choosing a rug is how it’s made. Some rugs are handmade, while others are machine-made. Let’s explore the difference between the two so that you can better choose which style of rug is right for your home.

The Difference Between Handmade and Machine-Made Rugs

Not all rugs are made the same. Here are some of the key differences between handmade rugs and machine-made rugs:

Handmade Rugs

On the back of a handmade rug, the pattern from the otherside will be sharply visible. Oftentimes the  individually tied knots can be seen and even counted.  Additionally, the fringes on handmade rugs are integral to the rug’s overall foundation. These fringes are actually the ends of the warp lines where the knots that form the pile are tied. Because of this, the fringes are more structurally sound and less likely to loosen and fall off overtime.

Most handmade rugs can sustain full-submersion washing. Though some are made with unstable dyes that can bleed if exposed to water. If this is the case, these rugs can be pretreated before washing to prevent the dye from bleeding and becoming dirty. 

So, while handmade rugs are better quality and more structurally well-made, they may require professional rug cleaning to ensure that the integrity of the handmade rug stays intact.

Machine-Made Rugs

A big difference between the two styles of rug is that the pattern from the front of the rug is usually less discernible on the back of the rug. The fringes of machine-made rugs are also more susceptible to loosening and falling off because they are sewn on after being woven. Additionally, the foundation of the rug usually consists of a fabric mesh, which creates a rough texture that makes a scraping when scratched. 

Though a majority of machine-made rugs can withstand a deep washing and are colorfast. Machine made rugs that aren’t made of woll, such as polyester or nylon, tend to never color-run during washing.

Know Which Rug is Right for You?

OC Rug store has a variety of new, vintage and antique rugs available for sale. All rugs are available for free delivery. Learn more about our professional rug repair services in inventory in Orange County, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Irvine, and more today.