LIVING RUG® is our registered trade mark and the distinctive name we created many years ago when we first began producing our unique fleece rugs.

Although similar items may be generically described as felted fleece rugs, vegetarian sheepskins, felted sheep rugs or eco rugs, LIVING RUG® is not a generic term. It is the name we coined specifically to identify our products and to distinguish our rugs from others in the marketplace.

Each LIVING RUG® is crafted from the annually shorn fleece of one of our own sheep, who continues to live naturally and happily on our farm in the Peak District. The sheep is not harmed in the process. The fleece is a renewable resource, and the animal remains a valued and ongoing part of our flock.

The name was intentionally chosen to reflect our philosophy: that sheep are more valuable alive, producing sustainable fleece year after year. Living Rug® represents our commitment to animal welfare, sustainability, and ethical farming practices.

We are proud of the goodwill and reputation that LIVING RUG® has built, and it remains exclusively associated with our rugs and our farm.

LIVING RUG®is not a generic term — it is the name I created nearly 13 years ago to describe a very specific type of felted fleece rug made from the fleeces of my own flock, retaining the natural character, movement and integrity of each fleece.

The name reflects far more than the finished product. It represents the sheep themselves, the care they receive, the ethical stewardship of the flock, and the hands-on felting process that transforms each fleece while preserving its natural beauty. Every LIVING RUG®carries that story — from field to finished piece.

As the name became increasingly associated with my work and reputation, I made the decision to formally register it as a trademark in 2020. This ensures that when someone sees or hears LIVING RUG®, they can be confident it refers specifically to an original piece created by The Living Rug Company.

Trademark protection prevents confusion, protects the standards I have established, and safeguards the time, care and long-term investment that have gone into building the brand.

There are many beautiful felted fleece rugs available, and creativity in this field is something I fully support. Registering the name simply protects the identity and integrity of the original LIVING RUG®.

If you have any questions about the trademark or its use, I am always happy to talk openly about it.

The technique for making these rugs is called wet felting.The rugs are made in several ways depending on the condition of the fleece. If the fleece is fairly intact and in one piece carded wool is placed on the cut side of the fleece after the fleece has been cleaned of bits of hay, straw etc. The carded wool is worked into the fleece using hot water and soap using your hands to form a new skin. Then it is rolled in lots of directions until the felt is firm. If the fleece is in bits you can create a piece in a frame and follow the same procedure.

We make the rugs from the unwanted fleeces of our home for life flock only. We only use environmentally friendly  soap and water from one of our springs on the farm.

It all depends on the breed and how the fleece/rug is made as some are more light-weight than others. 

Most of the rugs we make do not moult but sometimes we get the odd one like a Herdwick or Valais Blacknose which can lose some hairs but we always give details in the description if it does and how much. 

You should not have to do any repair on the rugs to replace fibre loss. If this is the case the rug has not been made properly. Obviously these are not sheepskins so are not going to be as strong but some are suitable for the floor as long as the footfall is light. Some you can sit on and again it depends on the breed. It's always best to read the description of the rug when you are purchasing and also read our after-care page which is available online via a password protected portal for purchasers only.

The rugs are washed lots of times by hand which we find is the best way to get rid of the dirt and the grease (lanolin) from the rug. The rug should be completely clean when you receive it and the tips of the fleece should be clean as well. If the ends (tips) of the fleece are not clean then the rug has not been cleaned properly. We check the rugs for bits of hay or straw and if you are lucky you may find one or two natural bits but as a rule it will be very rare if you do.

If you would like more information on how to clean your rugs, please see our sister website The felted fleece collective for more details.

Not if the rugs have been washed properly. We normally do a last rinse in some nice smelling conditioner but this will fade fairly quickly and you will be left with a natural woolly smell. Wool is naturally self cleansing and doesn't keep smells or have odours really.

We are more than happy to provide a picture of the sheep from which your rug is made from. Please just let us know if you want one sending with the rug.

Apparently, today's basic technique has been used since before sixth century BC. Some of these pieces of felt of been found in tombs and burial grounds in Siberia, Scandinavia and Germany. The theory is the cold climatic conditions help preserve the fibres. I personally had never heard of felted fleeces until eight years ago while researching for an idea to use my fleeces. It was there I found out that these rugs were very popular in the Netherlands and were called vegetarian sheepskins. I didn’t want to use that word so came up with my own original name Living Rugs. Also, if you would like to know more on felting there is also a great article from the American Anthropologist 9 (Vol 32) on the early history of felt which goes into lots more detail.

We take all  major credit cards/debit cards 

We don't really have a return policy any more because we are so confident that you will be happy with your rug. If not you need to contact us within 24 hours of receiving the rug.  We only normally accept returns if the item is damaged. Please make sure you read the description of the rug to make sure you are buying the right rug for your needs.

We use Royal Mail and Parcelforce. All deliveries are tracked and insured.

No Sorry.