Frequently Asked Questions

About Beni Ourain Rugs

Beni Ouarain as they are spelt in Morocco are carpets made by the Berber tribes of the North-Eastern Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco and traditionally used as bedding to keep warm during the winter months. While some of the Berber tribes have moved to the lowlands to farm,  many still raise sheep at the higher up elevations. These sheep are ancestors of an ancient breed called "Marmoucha" and produce excellent high grade wool that goes into the beautiful rugs made by the Beni Ourain tribes. It is usual for women to make the rugs and incorporate their life experiences of nature, love, beliefs and womanhood into their work.

Vintage & Quality

All our rugs are hand made in Morocco in the High Atlas mountains. Each one is unique and there will always be slight variants in the patterns and colours. The vintage rugs were woven for personal use so wear and signs of usage must be expected although we believe this wear and imperfection add to the beauty, character and story of the piece!

Care and washing

Rugs can shed a bit of fluff, this is just excess fibres that were not properly incorporated into the yarn during spinning. This is totally normal and not a sign that your rug is falling apart! When new you may need to vacuum more regularly but after a while the fluffing will lessen and eventually cease. It is best to vacuum them side to side and to shake out every so often if possible. 

Keeping your rug clean and rotating it every 1 or 2 years will ensure that it lasts generations. 

Blot wet spills with a cloth or tissue. You can also use a mild soap or carpet shampoo but make sure you dry thoroughly.  

For a deep clean seek the advice and services of a professional carpet cleaner.

If placing a rug on hard floor then we recommend the use of a rug grip.