How to clean sheepskin rug

When sheepskin rugs are washed properly, they look as good as new again. Cleaning a sheepskin rug involves the following simple steps:

  1. Shake the rug thoroughly to remove excess dirt 
  2. Before washing it, brush it to get rid of tangles. This also prevents your rug from matting when it is wet. 
  3. Now, you have multiple washing options to choose from:
  • You can wash the sheepskin rug by hand using water and detergent.
  • It is also safe to machine wash your rug on a delicate cycle. Just make sure you use sheepskin detergent. 
  • If you don’t want your rug to shrink, you can spot-clean it. 
  • If you have a dyed rug, take it to the dry cleaner.  

How to wash a sheepskin rug

When washing a sheepskin rug, you need to go through the following steps:

  1. Fill a tub with water and add sheepskin detergent to it. Make sure you use the recommended amount only. 
  2. Place the rug in the water and gently swish it around. The aim here is to use water to dislodge as much dirt as you can. Continue with this step for five minutes. 
  3. Use a soft clean rag to scrub spots. 
  4. Now drain away the dirty water from your tub and fill it with clean water again. While draining, make sure to keep the rug out of the way. 
  5. Move your sheepskin rug around for one final rinse. Switch it around in the clean water one last time to get rid of the remaining detergent and dirt. Gently rub the rug with your hand to remove the dirt and soap. 

Can you wash a sheepskin rug?

While it is possible to wash a sheepskin rug, it is not always recommended to do so. You should avoid washing the following sheepskin rugs:

Dyed rugs: Determining if sheepskin is dyed is very hard. Some champagne or light-colored skins are actually dyed. Washing such rugs can lead to an unwanted color change due to the dye interacting with the cleaning detergent. 

Old rugs: You need to be extremely gentle with older sheepskin, especially when it is wet. Using a washing machine for such a rug can tear the skin apart. 

Can I wash my sheepskin rug in the washing machine?

You can wash small rugs, roughly the size of the doormat, on a delicate cycle. Just make sure not to use hot water and the recommended amount of sheepskin detergent.

Hot water can shrink or harden the leather, and any other detergent can damage your rug.   

How to dry sheepskin rug

Drying the sheepskin rug involves the following steps:

  1. Take out the rug from the water and squeeze it gently. Hold the rug over a sink or tub and squeeze one section at a time to get rid of the excess water.
  2. After that, use a towel to dry completely. In fact, if you don’t want to tire out your hands by squeezing, take the rug out of the water and place it on the floor. Then use a clean towel to blot and soak up the excess water. Continue to do so until there is no more water dripping.  
  3. Now lay the rug in a warm environment, making sure it is flat. Don’s place it next to a heater or fireplace, or in a place that gets direct heat and sunlight. Put a towel below the rug to absorb the additional moisture and spread the rug in the natural shape. Leave it to dry for a few hours. 

What are sheepskin rugs made of?

Usually, these rugs are made using skins with soft and fine wools. In fact, the wool is better than that used for woven rugs. Sheepskin rugs use skins of sheep that have natural wool fibers. These wool fibers are permanently fixed in the skin tanning process. 

Where to put sheepskin rug?

Sheepskin rugs can be used in many creative ways. Some places where this rug will make a great addition include: 

  • On your couch as a drape 
  • As a playmat 
  • On your chair to add some cushion 
  • On top of another rug to add more height 
  • For your dog as its bed 
  • By your bed for you and your partner to step on a warm mat rather than the cold floor
  • As a rug in a compact space, such as in the breakfast nook in the kitchen 

Can you brush a sheepskin rug?

You can and should brush your sheepskin rug using a slicker-type or metal brush. Doing so not only restores the pile but also keeps it fluffy and beautiful. Brushing also gets rid of the particles and dust present on the surface.