Say hello to Hug Rug! The leading British flooring brand responsible for creating the first ever washable rug back in 1970. Part of the Phoenox Textiles family, Hug Rug celebrates its British heritage and more than 70 years of textile manufacturing experience.
Founded in 2007, Hug Rug produces all its products in the UK at its family-run mill in Yorkshire. The mill has been operating since 1954. The brand was born from a desire to create natural and sustainably focused products for the home.
To understand Hug Rug, it's worth taking a little step back. Its story began in 1954, when the original founders of Phoenox Textiles started out in Huddersfield with just 10 employees.
Jack Mosley, the first generation of the family, was a local weaver. He began by producing fabric for bus seats and traditional hearth rugs, using locally sourced wool, acrylic and cotton. His son David later took the business forward, investing in the company's first tufting machine and moving Phoenox into fireside rug production.
That spirit of innovation eventually led to the development of washable rugs, a product category that would become synonymous with the Phoenox name.
Fast forward four generations and the family business has grown considerably. Today, the third generation continues to run the business, while the fourth generation has joined to help carry its heritage forward. Phoenox now employs more than 180 people across its Yorkshire operations, with many coming from families who have worked in textiles for generations.
And remember that first washable rug back in 1970? That innovation helped lay the foundations for the Hug Rug brand. Since launching in 2007, it has gone on to sell its British-made rugs in more than 20 countries worldwide!
People. Processes. Pride.
Hug Rug appreciates that it wouldn't be where it is today without its dedicated team. Over the years, its people have become part of its fabric. The country of origin label on its rugs doesn't simply represent where a product is made. It represents the people behind it, too.
People. Processes. Pride. These are the foundations of Hug Rug. Years of experience, investment and care go into every product. From manufacturing techniques to carefully selected materials, there's a lot of work behind making each rug.
Something particularly special about Phoenox is that this heritage isn't just held within the family. Many employees come from families with generations of experience in textiles. Skills and knowledge are passed down, helping to preserve traditional craftsmanship and keep British manufacturing alive.
For Hug Rug, pride comes from making something sustainable, something beautiful and something that earns its place in your home.
Every time you lay a Hug Rug down, you're not just stepping onto recycled fibres and clever design. You're stepping onto the work of a whole community. And that community extends beyond Yorkshire, reaching other manufacturing businesses and the people who work tirelessly to keep British industry alive.
Standing up for British manufacturing
For Phoenox Textiles, this responsibility extends far beyond its own factory doors. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of running a British manufacturing business, the family understands what it takes to keep production on home soil.
Today, Phoenox is the last large-scale manufacturer of washable mats and rugs still producing in Yorkshire. More than 80% of its production takes place at its Scissett mill, making it one of the last British manufacturers remaining in its sector.
That's why Phoenox is using its voice to champion manufacturers across Britain. The family has taken its concerns directly to Westminster, calling for meaningful government support. From rising energy costs and employment taxes to increasing business rates and overseas competition, these are challenges affecting businesses right across the country.
Because when a British manufacturer closes its doors, it's not just a business that's lost. It's jobs, skills, heritage and communities. Phoenox believes British manufacturing is worth fighting for. Importantly, the family isn't simply asking others to invest in British manufacturing. It's putting its own money behind its future, too.
Over the past decade, Phoenox has reinvested more than £10 million into the business, continually modernising its facilities and machinery. In fact, the oldest machine in its factory is now just six years old.
It's a real commitment to keeping production in Yorkshire and ensuring the business has a future for generations to come.
Washable Rugs, Runners and Doormats for Everyday Living
At the heart of Hug Rug is a simple belief: the things we bring into our homes should make us feel good. That feeling should extend beyond our four walls, too. Its collections include rugs, runners, doormats and bath mats, combining thoughtful design with everyday functionality. From nature-inspired prints to more traditional patterns, there's something to suit every home and interior.
Having pioneered the first washable rug in 1970, Hug Rug understands that beautiful interiors need to be practical, too. Many of its products are machine washable at 30°C, making them easier to care for in busy households.
There's plenty of creativity across its collections, too. Phoenox has collaborated with well-known names including Morris & Co, Herdy and Scion Living, alongside British artist Sally Swannell. These partnerships bring different design influences into the home while keeping production firmly rooted in British manufacturing.
Sustainability at its heart
But what makes Hug Rug particularly special is the thought that goes into what its products are made from. Sustainability isn't an afterthought. It's part of the way the business operates.
Up to 90% of Hug Rug's rug fibre content is made from recycled materials, including recycled cotton and plastics. By giving waste a second life, the brand helps reduce its reliance on virgin materials. Phoenox also operates a zero-to-landfill factory, continually looking at ways to reduce waste and improve its manufacturing processes.
Its outdoor collections take this thinking further. Selected mats are made using ECONYL® regenerated nylon, which transforms recovered nylon waste, including discarded fishing nets, into new fibres for the interiors and fashion industries.
Giving back is important to the family, too. Hug Rug's love of the natural world can be seen throughout its wildlife-inspired designs. It also supports organisations such as the RSPB and Bumblebee Conservation Trust through its charity doormats, helping to protect the wildlife and habitats that inspire its products.
Ultimately, Hug Rug is about more than making a rug that looks good on your floor. It's about creating something durable and thoughtfully made, with care for the home it enters and the world beyond it.
And perhaps that's what makes Hug Rug special. You're not just buying a rug or doormat. You're supporting the people, skills and British manufacturing heritage behind it.
