When you decorate your home with eye-catching things like a sheepskin rug, you must learn to clean it too. People often get anxious about cleaning luxury things properly since a little damage can ruin the whole thing.
Natural fibers like fury rugs are even more difficult to maintain through the cleaning process. We will share some common ways of cleaning sheepskin rugs in order to safeguard their durability.
Is Natural Sheepskin Rug Washable?
This is the very first question that may hit your mind before deciding to clean a sheepskin rug. The answer is Yes!
Natural sheepskin rugs are washable. However, you need to measure correctly whether your rug needs a wash or not. You should only consider washing if the spill or dirt is severe.
There are several ways of cleaning sheepskin rugs besides washing.
Common Ways of Cleaning Sheepskin Rug
Vacuum Cleaning
You should take a glance if your sheepskin rug is dusty rather than stained. Even if the dust is not visible enough, the vacuum should be a part of your regular cleaning. We recommend using plain suction since turbo and revolving brush may damage sheepskin fiber.
Another alternative to removing hardened dirt and other particles is to use a wool brush. Simply brush it around the rug. Use a wet towel to remove minor stains.
DOs
- Before vacuuming, take your rug outside and shake it.
- Clean the hard particles and spills first.
- Regular vacuum once or twice a week.
- Keep the vacuum in plain suction mode.
DON’Ts
- Do not pressurize your rug while vacuuming.
- Do not use revolving brushes.
- Do not scrub or rub.
Machine Cleaning
You should always check the manufacturer’s warning warns if your rug is in the washing machine. Most of the sheepskin rugs go fine with washing machines. However, there still can be differences that may cause damage in the machining process.
While cleaning sheepskin rugs, you should keep your washing machine on the gentle or wool cycle. You can use wool shampoo or a normal hair conditioner to maintain the fiber of the rug.
DOs
- Brush the knots before washing.
- Soak the rug for a couple of minutes.
- Wash at a low temperature.
- Use fabric softener.
DON’Ts
- Do not wash dyed sheepskin rug.
- Do not machine dry your rug.
- Do not use bleach.
Stain or Spill Cleaning
If you accidentally spill something over your rug, make sure that you do not spread it. Do not wash or wipe the spill straight away. Any minor spill can spread around and turn the rug yellowish.
First, take a dry towel to remove any liquid spills. If the stain covers a large area of your rug, then put something that can pressure the towel on the rug.
Take wool shampoo, and gently blot it around the surface of the stain. Let the rug dry naturally.
DOs
- Clean gently.
- Try handwashing first.
- Use stain remover.
DON’Ts
- Do not stress over the stain.
Hand Cleaning
First, fill a tub with water and sheepskin shampoo. Put your rug inside the water and squish gently till it fully absorbs. Let it soak for 30-40 minutes. In the meantime, you can gently massage and swish the rug.
After the water gets dirty, release it and replace it with fresh water. Repeat the process till the water remains fresh. You can also use a garden hose if your rug is big enough.
DOs
- Cover the specific stain part.
- Be gentle while rubbing.
- Stretch by hands through the required shape.
DON’Ts
- Do not keep the knots.
Slow Dry Sheepskin Rug
You should avoid hot airflow while drying the sheepskin rug. Also, you should place the rug away from any kind of direct heat. Unlike silk rugs, sheepskin rugs do not go well under sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause damage to the fiber of the rug.
If you decide to dry the skin outside, remember to put it under a shade. You can also use a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process. The best result comes when you allow the leather to dry slowly.
DOs
- Take it slow.
- Choose a professional dry cleaner for a dyed rug.
- Air dry for about 7-10 days.
DON’Ts
- Do not twist to rinse the water.
- Do not dry under the sun.
- Do not use a tumble dryer.
- Do not iron sheepskin rug.
Post Cleaning Recommendations
How to prevent Sheepskin rugs from getting yellowish?
It is common for aging rugs to get yellowish. The cellulose present in the sheepskin wool oxidizing causes discoloration. If your rug is too old, there is certainly no prevention from this other than regular care.
This is the reason that you should start taking care of your rug right from the time you purchase it. There is another way that you can follow. Take a cup of water and mix it with a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide.
Dip your rag into the mixture and soak it for about 30-40 minutes. Then, continue with hand cleaning or machine cleaning process to clean it further.
How to keep Sheepskin rugs soft?
When you wash a sheepskin rug with water, it is normal that the rug will not be as soft as it used to be. This is why we recommend that getting your rug wet should be the last option. You can use a hair conditioner to soften your sheepskin rug after wash.
Also, there are detergents available in the market for sheepskin rugs. You should also brush your sheepskin rug regularly to keep it soft.
Conclusion
In conclusion, like many other things in the world, sheepskin rugs will also age. The aging rug looks different from the fresh one.
If you follow our tips, your rug will look fresh and graceful for longer than it is expected. So, if you love your sheepskin rug, start taking care of it from today.
