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Kitchen Runner, Machine Washable – Moroccan Style Rugs

If you’ve been following along, you probably noticed we’re obsessed with Moroccan rugs! Ha! Well, yes, they are amazing high-end handmade rugs, and may I say, very hard to beat! That being said, we’ve been struggling for years with making more than one unit of the same rug. Yes, handmade and unique are amazing, but when you’d like to offer more than one client the same rug, it makes it very hard.

We’ve been dreaming of a machine-washable kitchen runner that would have our own Baba Souk designs. So, after many trials and errors, we finally decided to try a different avenue. We’ve been working with a small but mighty Indian manufacturer to create our pink runners (and also our popular bathmats!). After more than a year of testing and tweaking, we can say our Baba Souk Kitchen runner rug is a new favourite among our clients!

kitchen runner, machine washable rug by Baba Souk

kitchen runner, machine washable rug by Baba Souk

We love how it can fit into different kitchen decors. It can bring such a cool pop of color in a white kitchen or it could also be super fun in a colorful kitchen! We love to see our runner in your kitchen, so if ever you purchase our pink runner, please don’t forget to tag us on Instagram!

Yes, it’s machine washable! The best thing about it is that you can just throw it in the machine and dryer, and the stains are gone! It looks like new. I’ve been testing mine for more than one year, and even with a house full of dangerous little boys (haha, ok, I only have two young boys, but they are the messy type!), it’s surprisingly super resistant. I have washed it an exaggerated number of times to test it out, like maybe 20 times in one year. It still looks amazing, and there are no stains to be found. The only slight downside of washing it super frequently is the colors fade a little since it’s entirely made of cotton, but it’s very subtle, and I still love it very much; it’s only a little less bright after 20+ washes.

kitchen runner, machine washable rug by Baba Souk

kitchen runner, machine washable rug by Baba Souk

Kitchen Runner Care instructions:

– Shake it off outside every week.
– Vacuum regularly.
– Machine wash, COLD water (wash it alone, express or delicate cycle).
– Tumble dry (Best is to dry it alone)*
* You might experience more shedding during the first wash, but this will significantly decrease over time.

kitchen runner, machine washable rug by Baba Souk

Great for hallways too! We’ve created this runner with the kitchen in mind, but they could also be great for entryways and hallways too! We’ve taken a few pictures of it in hallways, and it really looks great.

kitchen runner, machine washable rug by Baba Souk

Rug Pads

Does this rug require a rug pad? We get this question very often, and it’s hard to give a definite answer. I have one in my own kitchen, and we have hardwood floors. I’ve found that it doesn’t require a pad on my floor; even with kids running around, it stays in place. I haven’t tested it for a long period on ceramic, so I’ll have to report back! In the meantime, I can recommend this rug pad from Home Depot; I’ve tested it, and it works great, and you can cut it to the desired size.

Fairtrade Rugs

The factory we’re working with is a small factory that uses hand-operated machines. We treat our suppliers with great respect and kindness. We pay them fairly for their work.

Get a discount code

Did you know you can get a -20% OFF coupon code on your first rug purchase when you subscribe to our newsletter? Click right here to get on the list and instantly receive your coupon code.

kitchen runner, machine washable rug by Baba Souk

We’ll definitely add some more color combinations in the future, so keep your eyes peeled! We’re working on a more neutral color combo that might be easier to sell to your spouse, haha! Why? Why do most guys hate pink? They’re missing out 😉

As usual, if you have any other questions regarding this runner or any other Moroccan rug, get in touch via email; we do our best to reply promptly and try to help in any way we can.

– Stephanie

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Custom Moroccan Rugs by Baba Souk

A question I get asked very often is: “Do you make custom Moroccan rugs?” The answer is, yes! We make a lot of custom rugs for our beloved clients!

Why a custom Moroccan rug?

There are frequent reasons why someone is looking for a custom Moroccan rug:

  1. The rug they fell in love with is a one-of-a-kind piece that sold out. (
  2. The rug they fell in love with is too small.
  3. They saw a rug somewhere on Pinterest or in a magazine and can’t find a similar one. Either way, we most probably can help you with creating the rug of your dreams!

Can you replicate any rug?

Most Moroccan rugs, although entirely handmade and unique, can be custom-made, but there are some exceptions. The hardest ones to duplicate are those with intricate patterns and a multitude of gradient colors. The best way to know if we can make the custom rug of your dreams is to send us an email with a picture of the rug and mention the desired size. We’ll get back to you with the feasibility, lead time, and price. We do ship internationally, so your location is not a barrier.

moroccan rugs wool colourful designs baba souk

Customize Your rug

What can be customized:

– Size: We can make almost any size you need. However, you need to consider that the final size might have a few inches off. Our rugs are entirely handmade, so we have a tolerance of +-2″ on each side.

– Fringes: Typically, Moroccan rugs have fringes on one side, marking the end of the rug. However, some clients prefer having fringes on both sides, and others prefer a rug with no fringe. This is something you can decide when you order a custom rug.

– Pile: For wool rugs, we always recommend medium pile. Medium pile is thick and cozy, and it feels wonderful. I’ve noticed that medium pile rugs, around 1″ – 1.5″ thick, look better over the years and are easier to care for.

– Colours: Colors in a rug can be changed. For example, if the rug you like has red in it but you would prefer pink, we can change that. If you’re looking for a specific wool color or help with colour matching, we can assit you with this. For complex patterns and big color changes, we can also provide a sketch before starting production; this way, we can try color combinations and see what works best.

– Patterns: Simple patterns like lines and diamonds can be enlarged or shrunk. We can also change dots and checker’s colors.

Custom Moroccan Rugs from Baba Souk

Custom Moroccan Rugs by baba Souk

Handmade rugs are a labour of love

I have to mention that making a custom rug entirely by hand takes time! If you’re in a rush or not willing to wait 8-10 weeks, this might not be a good option for you. If you’re in a rush to find your perfect rug, send us your request, and sometimes we can source and find ready-made alternatives just for you.

Beni Ourain Rug white wool black lines

Custom Moroccan Rugs by Baba Souk

The classic Custom Moroccan Rugs

If you visit our “made to order rug category“, you’ll see all the rugs we are used to making in custom sizes for our clients. Most classic Beni Ourain rugs can easily be customized. We work with a team of artisans directly in Morocco, and the wool quality we use is fantastic! Gorgeous and thick, high quality, and cozy. You’ll LOVE walking on your wool rug!

Cotton rugs can also be customized. Some patterns are hard to replicate because Moroccan rugs are a work of art! Made entirely by hand, the artisans typically work free of any pattern and just improvise. We are working with a handful of highly skilled artisans who are able to replicate a pattern. However, keep in mind the final result might be 90% the same. In the end, each and every handmade rug is truly unique, and that’s what makes them so beautiful!

Moroccan rugs girls bedroom nursery Pink Baba Souk

Get in touch

I would love to personally work with you and help you create the rug of your dreams! We’ve crafted hundreds of custom rugs, and I just love it when a client is fully in love and happy with their rug 🙂 Get in touch!

-Stephanie

For more decor inspiration and ideas visit our Instagram account.

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How to Clean a Moroccan Rug

One of the questions I get so often is, ‘How to clean a Moroccan rug.’ Here at Baba Souk, we’ve been selling Moroccan rugs for a decade, and I’ve personally owned, I’d say, more than 8 Moroccan rugs myself. I’d love to give you all my best tips and advice.

Cotton Rug or Wool Rug?

First off, you need to know if you’re dealing with a wool rug or a cotton rug. I know that for some of us, this question seems a little obvious, but trust me, it’s not clear for everyone, so let me help you figure it out.

moroccan rugs white wool pinks lines baba souk

Clean a Moroccan Rug

Moroccan rugs with colorful diamonds wool carpet Baba Souk

Moroccan Wool Rugs

If your Moroccan rug looks like one of the pictures above, it is, for sure, wool. Wool has a soft hand feel and will keep you warm and cozy. If the fibers are shiny, it is not real wool. It’s probably synthetic, like acrylic or polyester. Real Moroccan rugs are made mostly of wool or cotton. Most ‘Moroccan Style’ rugs you’ll find at big box retailers like Ikea, Target, Wayfair, etc., are not made of real wool. They are usually synthetic imitations and are manufactured, not handmade.

Moroccan Cotton Rugs

Cotton rugs have an entirely different aspect. They are made with small cotton swatches that are knotted to the weft of the rug. The handfeel is super fun, but it’s not soft. It feels like t-shirt fabric because it is! Moroccan cotton rugs are made of fabric scraps from clothing factories. So cool, right?

Clean a Moroccan Rug

MOROCCAN RUGS soft colours cotton carpets

Lexique:

– Beni Ourain rugs are wool rugs
– Azilal rugs are wool rugs
– Vintage Moroccan rugs are wool rugs
– Boucherouite rugs are cotton rugs,
-Kilim rugs: Cotton or Agave Silk, cactus silk*
*Watch out for Cactus silk; it is beautiful but can’t be washed. The color will run off with water contact. We no longer carry agave or cactus silk rugs because of that. We do carry some Cactus silk pillows.

Now that you know if your rug is cotton or wool, you will need to consult our Rug Care Instruction page where we give you all our best tips to care for your rug. Be careful to refer to the right section because care instructions are different for wool rugs and cotton rugs.

Moroccan Rugs Professional Cleaners

If ever you’re in the Montreal area and you’d like to have your Moroccan rug cleaned, please reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to connect you with our local professional rug cleaners.

Your Moroccan Rug Needs Repair?

Contact us, and we’ll connect you with our local artisan, and we’ll do our best to repair your Moroccan rug and give it a second life. We’ve saved hundreds of rugs already! Don’t forget that Moroccan rugs are made to last a lifetime. They are robust, but the best way to keep them in great shape is to invest in cleaning and repairs as soon as they require it.

*A few ideas of the type of repairs we can help you with:

– Tears
– Stains
– Fringes falling off

How Many Times Should I Clean My Moroccan Rug?

I recommend regularly shaking off your rug outside, once every 1-2 weeks depending on traffic, furry friends, and kids 😉 Then, after you shake it off, vacuum it. I recommend either washing your rug yourself or scheduling professional cleaning at least once a year.

You’ll find all my cleaning tips and tricks right here.

If you have any questions regarding your particular rug, I’d be happy to personally assist you. Send me an email and include a picture of your rug, and I’ll try to help you find a solution.

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How to Pick Your Dream Moroccan Rug

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: Picking a Moroccan rug is like picking a piece of art. When your heart makes a flip, you know you’re picking the right one! 🙂

wool rug from Baba Souk

More Than Floor Covering

I’ve had tons of discussions with clients only to realize picking a Moroccan rug is not like picking another rug. The size might be a bit off from the exact size you wanted, but that’s not the point. You’re buying art, and the extra inch won’t change anything. Moroccan rugs are bought with the heart.

Moroccan rug modern design by Baba Souk

Embracing Imperfections

The rug is not perfectly straight? That’s why it looks handmade and has character. When buying your first Moroccan rug online, I totally get it could be daunting, and I’m here to help! My favorite sport is helping you pick the rug of your dreams. But if you had a major crush on a rug and keep coming back to look at the pictures EVERY DAY, then you can be 100% sure it’s the one 🙂 Don’t overthink it because you know what’s going to happen right? It’s going to sell out, and your heart will be crushed. I hate that!

Cotton vs. Wool: Decoding the Textiles

A question I get often is: what is the difference between cotton rugs and wool rugs? If you’re not familiar with textiles and fibres, it can be hard to tell in the pictures.

Moroccan rug cotton colourful kids pink baba souk

Cotton is fun!

Cotton rugs are made out of recycled cotton swatches. They are leftover fabrics from clothing factories (what a cool way to recycle fast fashion waste right?) They feel like thousands of small pieces of t-shirt fabric. The hand feel is quirky and fun to walk on. Kids love to walk on them, and babies are amazed by the myriad of colors and textures. While I can’t say they are soft, they are not harsh either. They are super heavy (about 8kg for a 5×7′! So they feel thick and deluxe, they won’t slip either. The best word to describe the hand feel is: fun! Read more tips and care instructions, right here.

colourful cotton rugs, kids bedroom, baba souk

Luxurious Wool

Moroccan wool rugs are a completely different story! The hand feel is soft and cozy. They are without any doubt the comfiest thing you’ll ever step on. Sumptuous and thick, they really feel deluxe! If you’re trying to give a cozy, warm, and comfortable feel to a space, this is it; you need a Moroccan wool rug!

beni ourain rug, white wool, black dots, baba souk

Choosing Joy Over Practicality

Another thing I’ve learned over the years is you don’t buy a Moroccan rug for its practicality, you pick it because you’re in love with it and it brings you joy! I’ve had clients picking the safer choice only to be disappointed about why they didn’t go with the colorful option they loved so much.

We can help you pick 🙂

That being said, I know it sometimes can be so hard to pick, especially if you’re in love with 5 rugs! I know, haha! I’m always here to help over email. Just send me a picture of your room and a list of your favourite rugs; I’d be happy to give you some guidance.

Visit Us!

If you prefer real-life shopping you can also visit us! We have a showroom located in Montreal in the HOMA district. We are open to the public every Saturday, and you can also book an appointment any day of the week, just email us to schedule it. You can click right here for our warehouse address.

Additional Resources

Read this room-by-room rug guide to figure out which rug goes better in each room of your home. Are you wondering how to care for your Moroccan rugs? Explore our tips and tricks right here.

pink wool carpet, baba souk

Customization Options

You’re in love with one of our rugs, but you need a larger or smaller size? We might be able to make a custom rug just for you! We work directly with a team of artisans in Morocco, and we create many custom rugs for our clients. Get in touch with your special request, and we’ll do our best to make your dream rug happen!

Why I love Moroccan rugs so much

If you’ve made it through here, you know I think Moroccan rugs are artworks. I love art, and I love color. They bring joy and inspiration into our home. I love homes that spark smiles and have personalities. But, moreover, I adore their quality. They are durable and made to last a lifetime. I’m very sick of the throwaway culture, and I feel it’s very worth it to invest in a piece that will stay beautiful for years to come. Both for our wallet and also for our planet!

Stories Behind Baba Souk

If you’re curious and wondering why I, a Canadian woman, am selling Moroccan rugs, click here to read a bit more about my love story with Morocco and its handmade artisanal products.

Much love,
Steph

PS: Follow us on Instagram for more inspiration!

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Finding the Perfect Moroccan Rugs – Room by room guide

Hey hi, I’m Stephanie, Baba Souk’s founder 🙂 Over the years, I’ve been testing Moroccan rugs everywhere around my home and the homes of many clients and friends, I’ve learned A lot! I’d like to share what type of Moroccan rugs work best for different spaces around the home.

Moroccan Rugs for Nurseries and Kids’ Bedrooms:

a Baba Souk rug in the kids bedroom
This is the most fun place to have Moroccan rugs. My absolute favourites for kids’ bedrooms are our cotton carpets! First of all, they have joyful colors and patterns that are just perfect for kids’ decor. The thing that I really love is that they are super versatile. So they’ll be adorable in the nursery but will continue to work as your kid’s decor changes over the years!

moroccan rugs fro the kids bedroom by Baba Souk

Another thing is that they are easily washable. Juice spill? Just spray on some Shout spray or OxiClean, and you should be good! If you have a big laundry machine at home, you can wash it with cold water and hang it to dry, or my favorite, wash it in your backyard with the hose or, even better, a pressure machine, it works very well. I own one that I’ve probably washed 30 times by now. It still looks great. They are really made to last. Have a look at this page for all our tips and tricks on how to care for your cotton rugs.

small Moroccan rugs for kids

This is an example on how you can use a small 2’x4′ cotton rug right beside a crib or a transition bed like this cute cat bed.

The only other rug that I really think is perfect for a nursery is our famous Funfetti rug. Yes, it’s a little less easy to maintain, but I mean, HOW CUTE?

wool rug with colorful dots from Baba Souk

Living Room Rug Recommendations
This room is a little trickier because let’s be real – it depends on whether you have Little tornadoes and furry friends – or not!

If you are two grown-ups, I would not hesitate to recommend a Beni Ourain rug. The comfort is unmatched. They are perfect for low-traffic living room and could not be prettier or cozier. Every time I’ve added a Beni Ourain rug to a space, it instantly made it cozy and warm. So I highly recommend it if this is what you’re looking for.

Moroccan Rugs, 4 Sizes Available – White wool & Black Dots

On the other hand, if you have a messy family like mine or a dog with dark hair, I prefer to be honest with you; you might want to avoid a white rug! Over the years, I found that our colorful wool rugs are very good with busy families. They still have that coziness, but the colors make them easier to maintain.

colorful Moroccan rugs from Baba Souk

Master’s Bedroom Top 3 Rug Picks:
#1 The Marigold Rug: I personally have a Marigold rug in my bedroom (Yes, my husband loves it too!) My toddler loves it even more; it’s super cozy to sit on, and he loves to read books right on it. I love the look and the soft feeling under my feet. I’ve paired it with soft pink bedding, golden yellow bedding, and lilac bedding – They all look good.

#2 Classic Dots: A super fun twist on the classic Beni Ourain rugs, this wool rug is luxurious, cozy, and it has something sassy about it! It would turn any boring bedroom into a very fun cozy atmosphere. The great thing is that it could be paired with almost any bedding, so you can keep the rug and switch up the bedding for a fresh look.

white wool rug and black dots from Baba Souk

#3 Checkers: If you prefer cotton, I highly recommend the pink checkered cotton rug. It can be made in the size you need. The look is super cool. Your husband doesn’t like pink? Don’t worry, we can have it made especially for you in almost any color. Send us an email to discuss colors; we’d be happy to make the rug of your dreams come to life 🙂

The Best Kitchen Runner
I’ve tested a bunch of rugs in my kitchen. While the cotton rugs work well, the easiest to care for are our Baba Souk machine-washable kitchen runners. What a revelation! We really couldn’t find cool kitchen runners that were durable, water-absorbent, easy to care for, and fun! So we had to create our own design. We adore it, and we’ve been getting the best reviews from our clients. I own one in my kitchen, and I have two young boys; they are messy little people, and I think I must have washed my runner 100 times! It’s in perfect shape. I’m amazed every time I wash it; I can’t believe how good it looks after 1 year of very busy family life.

kitchen runner rug, machine washable from from baba souk

kitchen runner rug, machine washable from from baba souk

If you don’t like pink, don’t worry; we plan on adding other color combos soon.

Our Famous Baba Souk Bath Mat
We wanted to create a very cute, machine-washable, water-absorbent, and easy-to-care-for bath mat. After lots of sketching and testing, we decided to have our own Baba Souk design made in India in a small Fairtrade factory where they can easily duplicate the bath mat and keep the price reasonable. We are planning to create more bath mat designs, but this one has been popular from day 1.

bath mat from baba souk

It is very cute, and the colors are soft and fun; it goes well with all sorts of bathroom decor. It hasn’t lost its popularity; we sometimes struggle to have enough inventory, so if you want it and it’s in stock, grab it!

If you have any questions about ordering a rug from our website, please visit our FAQ page or don’t hesitate to email us for personalized assistance; we’d love to help and give you advice and recommendations; it’s our jam 🙂

If you need styling and home decor inspiration, visit our Instagram.

-Stephanie

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