Moroccan Rugs: Your Questions Answered

Why does my new Moroccan rug smell bad?

A strong, offensive odor usually points to chemicals used in production. Two main causes: after-market chemical bleaching to create a faded, distressed look, and heavy or toxic chemicals used to shortcut the dyeing process. In some cases the culprit is formaldehyde. If a new Moroccan rug has a horrible smell, move it out of your living space until you decide whether to return it, especially if anyone is having an allergic reaction.

Is formaldehyde really used in Moroccan rugs?

Yes, by some suppliers. Field research by Dan Driscoll, founder of The Anou weaving cooperative network, found that several major suppliers in the region use chemicals like formaldehyde to shortcut the dyeing process. This creates health risks for the weavers and for consumers, and the dye bonds so poorly that even a plain water spill can cause a dye-bleed disaster. A persistent foul odor is a warning sign worth taking seriously.

How can I tell if a Moroccan rug is good quality?

Three quick checks you can do by hand:

1. Scratch test. Run your thumbnail across the fibers. If they break or pull apart easily, that signals low-quality wool.

2. Dye test. Press a damp white handkerchief on the rug. If color transfers, the dyes are unstable. If the front is faded, test the dyes on the BACK side so you do not create a dark stain on the front.

3. Sniff test. If the rug smells odd or chemical, something is wrong with the production.

Quality Moroccan rugs have high-sheen wool with rich color, wash beautifully, and last a lifetime.

Why is my Moroccan rug shedding so much?

It comes down to wool quality. A good shag Moroccan rug may shed loose fibers for its first few months, leftover bits from shearing, and then stop. A poor-quality rug sheds for its entire life because the wool has no inherent strength to begin with. Sheep from Morocco’s higher elevations grow stronger wool, while cheaper low-elevation wool gets blended with filler fibers that does not hold together well.

Heavily bleached wool is another major cause. The bleaching used to create a faded, distressed look deteriorates the fiber itself, leaving it weak and prone to constant shedding. This is common in some “vintage” Moroccan rugs sold on Etsy, where chemical odors are also commonly reported. I have seen rugs where bleach has been used to make them faded and appear to look older.

Should I worry about moths in a shedding Moroccan rug?

Yes, inspect for them. Shortcut rugs often skip a thorough cleaning during production, so the odds of moth eggs or larvae arriving with the rug are high. If your Moroccan rug is shedding heavily, check it for moth activity as well as assessing the wool quality. Weaker wool is easier for moths to eat, so they commonly see out damaged, dirty wool to lay their eggs in.

Why did my Moroccan rug’s colors bleed when it got wet?

Because the dyes were poorly bonded to the fibers, a common shortcut in low-quality production. With these rugs, a plain water spill or an inattentive cleaning can lift the dye and cause bleeding, ink-like stains, or color loss in the blotted area. On heavily faced-faded rugs, a front-side spill can even wick color up from the back and change the look. This is one of the clearest signs of flawed dyeing.

How can I spot a chemically bleached Moroccan rug?

Compare the front to the back. If the front is much more faded than the back, the rug was likely sprayed with a bleach solution and set in the sun to create a soft, distressed look. You can also grin open the pile and look at the fiber tips, which will show the bleaching. The bleach is toxic at the strengths used for this fading, and the odor can linger for a long time. I have seen a few Etsy Moroccan rug stores where bleaching has been done to the front AND the back sides, in order to fool buyers asking for a back corner photo in order to make sure the rug has not been chemically lightened. Grinning open the fibers from the front, you can see the original dark colors at the base of the fibers.

Are all Moroccan rugs bad quality?

Not at all. There are EXCELLENT, highly decorative textiles being woven in Morocco today. The problem is that growing demand for the Moroccan “look” has pushed some production centers to take shortcuts on wool, dyeing, and cleaning to make more rugs to sell. These lower quality rugs taint the region’s weaving reputation. The good ones have high-sheen wool and rich colors, wash up beautifully, and last for generations. The key is knowing how to tell them apart.

Where can I buy a good-quality, ethically made Moroccan rug?

Look for artisan-led weaving cooperatives that source their own local wool, use natural dyes, and support the weavers directly. The Anou (www.theanou.com) is a network of weaving and artisan cooperatives in Morocco that I genuinely love and have followed and supported for many years. They are artisan-run, they weave their own wool through the Atlas Wool Supply Co, and they dye using natural dyes rather than the harsh chemical shortcuts behind the worst odor and bleed problems we’ve written about here. Buying from a transparent, artisan-supporting source like this is the best way to get a beautiful Moroccan rug that lasts.

What should I do if I already own a problematic Moroccan rug?

If it has a serious chemical odor, move it out of your living space first, especially if anyone is reacting to it, and consider returning it as a flawed product. If you want to try to save it, an experienced rug cleaner can attempt to wash out the odor, sometimes over more than one wash, to neutralize and remove odor-causing residues. Have a professional take proper precautions in case formaldehyde is involved.

Are rugs labeled “Moroccan” today always from Morocco?

Often not. A growing number of rugs sold online are labeled “Moroccan” or “Moroccan style” but are actually made in India, not Morocco at all. These are riding the popularity of the look but they do not actually want to pay for better Moroccan wool or true Moroccan weaving. The wool quality used in these “Indo-Moroccan” rugs tends to be poor. They shed, stain easily, and wear quicker. If origin matters to you, ask directly where the rug was woven and be skeptical of vague “style” labeling. Both budget and high-end brands misrepresent their rugs as “Moroccan” when they are actually made in India using lower quality materials and production. I have been a bit shocked at seeing the high prices of these lower grade copies, and it makes me sad to see consumers who believe their problem rug is Moroccan, which it is actually not Moroccan at all.

I love the look of Moroccan rugs. Should I avoid them?

No, please don’t. The quality ones are wonderful. They have high-sheen wool with rich, happy colors, they wash up beautifully, and they last a lifetime. The shortcuts and problem rugs are real and worth knowing about, and easy to inspect for. With a little knowledge about wool, dyes, and origin, you can buy a genuine Moroccan rug that brings you joy for decades. And if you buy a rug from The Anou, you can customize colors and styles, and you will get a chance to actually know the weavers who made the rug for you, which is super cool! 🙂

Want to learn more? Read the Full Article Here.

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