Bedrooms and living room seating areas, where softness underfoot matters most. Hallways and the space under a dining table are less suited, because deep pile flattens with heavy foot traffic and chair legs catch on it.

Hoover once a week on a low setting, going in the direction of the fibres, and use a conventional hoover rather than a robot one. Blot spills with an undyed, damp cloth instead of rubbing, and rotate the rug every few months so the pile wears evenly. Our guide to cleaning shaggy rugs covers stains, fringes and pet hair in more detail.