Rugs for the UK

Some Sunday rug witterings…

Something I noticed quite a while ago was mouse mats in the style of a rug; finally I bought one a few months ago on eBay - after getting fed up of my mouse slipping and missing on the desk top or having to mess about with it all the time.

The plan had also been to buy one for each of my clients for Christmas, however the one I have is not really up to gift standard - the base is a bit scrappy. But as a mouse mat, it’s wonderful - the best I’ve used. While not of a tufted design (which I was expecting for some reason) it is in fact a woven, almost silky ribbon type of construction. And certainly something that Des would like - must order one for him!

Without the foam base it would be a treat for any doll’s house, although my daughter makes do quite happily with a few of the rug samples kindly given to us by Des, and with some brightly coloured card.

I think the shaggy rugs would be a bit much and drown the inabitants! Though a sample from a rejected shaggy rug range (it is just not in the same league as the one Des did decide to sell) is welcome underfoot at my desk. Which reminds me to photograph some of our new shaggy rugs for the website too!

If you want to try a mouse rug yourself, visit some of the websites from this search

When you’ve bought your lovely new rugs, what then for your old one? There are a surprising number of options:

1. If your rug is in good condition, you could offer it to your local, reputable charity shop, or on your local Freecycle - it may suit someone else, and certainly with the latter they’re likely to collect.
2. For rugs in not-so-good condition - perhaps a local animal shelter, kennels or cattery could make use of it.
3. How about cutting a piece for foot mats in your car or to line the boot?
4. Campers and caravanners - would the rug be useful for you - cut to suit your tent/caravan?
5. Rugs can be useful in the garden - as a mulch to suppress weeds, between rows of plants too, and on top of a compost heap a rug can help to maintain balanced moisture levels. If you cannot use your old rug in this way, perhaps your local allotment group could.
6. Use your old rug in the loft as additional heat insulation, and in this way it will continue to provide warmth and comfort in your home.
7. If you are building a garden pond area, then an old rug is absolutely ideal as an underlay for your pond liner and may prevent sharp objects from piercing the liner.

Taking a rug or carpet to your local recycling centre is not likely to be welcomed; being made of a variety of fibres makes it difficult to separate for recycling.

Hopefully the above offers you some options for your old rug, once your new rugs have been delivered.