The name penny rug actually derives from the coins that were first used as templates for the designs on the rugs, and they were also commonly known as coin rugs or dollar rugs.

Penny rugs have always been considered as being the specialty of women living in the country or wilderness, and they were actually first brought to the shores of North America with immigrants to the new world. During this time period it became very obvious that pioneers were creating new techniques for making these rugs, and so penny rug making in general was evolving at an incredibly quick pace.

In particular, different penny rug making techniques flourished a few decades later, in different sections of the country, namely as the woolen penny rug products started to become very well established in New England and the surrounding area. Then from about 1890 on, penny rug products began to experience a period of unexplainable popularity, one which peaked around the start of the 20th century.

Penny rugs were more appreciated and valued than any other type of rug during this time, and they were being manufactured and sold by the hundreds.

Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance of penny rugs is crucial in order to keep them in good condition, and one of the most important things to remember here is that you should never put any of your penny rugs into a washing machine or in direct sunlight, because both will end up ruining the rug. Instead of cleaning the rug yourself, you will need to find a penny rug cleaning company that you can go to where they have professional machines that will do the work properly for you.

When you are not using a penny rug, you should always make sure that you keep it laid out flat, and do not fold it, and you can basically store it wherever you want as long as it is not in an airtight plastic bag because this will cause dry rot. Penny rugs are made to be enjoyed, so enjoy yours.