| Material | PROs | CONs |
| Wool | – Holds Colours quite well -Easy to wash and will generally go back to his original look and feel – Excellent elastic memory – Anti-static – Easy to repair – Good at repelling stains and dirt – Biodegradable / Non-toxic | – Inexpensive wools can have a rougher feel – Vulnerable to insect attack |
| Silk | – Nothing beats feel of a 100% silk rug | – Difficult and expensive to clean – Moderate elastic memory – Once you clean a silk, it will never truly feel the same |
| Viscose (Art Silk, Bamboo Silk, Rayon etc.) | – Similar silky feel as real silk – Inexpensive | – Difficult and expensive to clean – Poor elastic memory / mats easily – Traffic and stains set in deep – Cellulose browning may occur after washing |
| Polypropylene / Nylon / Olefin | – Very inexpensive – Fairly durable – Inexpensive to clean | – Can mat easily and there is no ability to revive the fibre – Repairs can be difficult and will often exceed the value of the rug |
| Grasses (Jute, Sisal etc.) | – Unique look – Quite inexpensive | – Difficult and expensive to clean – Prone to shrinking and going out-of -shape – Discolour and fade easily – Stains are very difficult to remove – Repair is difficult and expensive |
| Cotton | – Silky feel – Inexpensive | – Colours fade and run very easily and will continue to fade with every wash – Mats very easily |
| Hides & Skins | – Unique look – Inexpensive | – Difficult and expensive to clean – Will shrink and warp – Edges will curl with use – White sheep skins will naturally turn back to yellow over time – Leather will dry out over time – Expensive to repair |