I just put this rug in my sunroom and I love it! It's true to color and it's thicker than I thought it would be based on other reviews. The fibers are like mop cotton. They're a decent thickness and soft. It's not a pile rug but not as thin as outdoor rugs. As for a smell, there isn't any. They must have corrected this problem. I'll probably buy another rug like it in a different size.