How To Clean Sheepskin Rug At Home : 8 Simple Steps

Dropping your toes in a Sheep skin rug, especially in cold winter, provides a cozy experience. They are soft, fluffy and give a classy look to your house. 

But continuously walking or sitting on it or allowing pets to run over the sheepskin rug can make it dirty with less time. You need to clean the rug so that it will look new again.

Cleaning sheep skin rug is quite simple. If you have a small rug, you can use a washing machine to clean it. Try to use sheepskin detergent while washing the rug in the washing machine.

You can even wash the rug in your hand. You must dip the sheepskin rug in cold water and sheepskin detergent and swish it gently. Allow it to dry thoroughly, and remove the knots. Your sheepskin rug will be new again.

The article discusses a step-by-step guide on how to clean sheepskin rug. So, you can keep reading this article to learn about the process that must be followed for cleaning a sheepskin rug.

Types Of Sheep Skin Rug

There are mainly two types of sheepskin rug. They are as follows.

1. Natural Sheep Skin Rug

Natural sheep rug consists of original sheep skin, which is quite expensive in the market. These rugs are pretty fluffy and last for a longer time.

2. Faux Sheep Skin Rug

Faux sheep skin rug comprises synthetic materials available at affordable rates. They are available in various colors, and you can choose them according to your preferences.

The best thing is they look equivalent to natural sheepskin rugs. You can even easily wash these rugs. But unfortunately, they do not last for a longer time.

How To Clean Sheepskin Rug?

1. Shake Rug Properly

You need to take your rug outside and shake it properly to remove all the dust and debris. It will not remove all the dust from the sheepskin rug, but it will surely help to remove large chunks inside the sheepskin.

2. Brush Rug

Take a brush specially designed for sheepskin and brush the rug thoroughly. Brushing is quite essential to reduce matting.

You can even use a wide toothbrush for brushing your sheepskin rug. We recommend being gentle during brushing; otherwise, it can damage the fibers.

Sometimes the tangles are pretty stubborn and become hard to remove. Well, in such cases, you can dilute the little amount of conditioner in water. 

Now apply the solution in place where the rug has stubborn tangles. You can rub the solution in the direction of hair growth. You can then use a brush and gently brush the affected spot to remove the tangles.

3. Vaccum The Rug

You must vacuum your sheepskin rug to remove all the dust, dirt, and hairs lodged inside the fibers. We will recommend using only plain suction while vacuuming your sheepskin rug. You should never use turbo or revolving brush heads, as they can cause tangles or damage to the fibers.

4. Remove Stains Right Away

Liquid or solid food particles can accidentally spill on the sheepskin rug and may cause stains. For instance, if the oil has fallen, it will surely leave some marks. 

So you must take a paper towel and remove as much oil as possible. You can then sprinkle some cornstarch on the affected spot and allow it to sit for several hours. Brush gently and then vacuum the rug if required.

If solid particles have fallen, remove them immediately from the sheepskin rug. It may leave some stains. You can mix wool wash with water and then take a white cloth, dip it in the solution, and gently dab it on the affected area.

Try to move the white cloth until the stains are invisible. You should not rub the affected area; otherwise, the fibers will get damaged.

Now take a clean cotton cloth dipped in normal water and dab it on the affected area to remove any soapy residues on the rug.

Allow the sheepskin rug to air dry thoroughly. You can then brush it gently using a wide toothcomb to make it more fluffy.

5. Use Baking Soda For Removing Odours

If your rug is not smelling, use baking soda to remove the odor. Sprinkle some baking soda and allow it to sit for two hours or overnight. You can then shake your rug thoroughly or vacuum it to remove all the baking soda if required. We will then recommend brushing the rug gently to lift all the fibers.

6. Deep Clean Your Rug

Whenever you purchase a sheepskin rug, it comes with a label with instructions regarding cleaning. So please read it to ensure whether the sheepskin rug will be cleaned by handwash or you can put it in the washing machine.

Here are some cleaning tips which may help you to clean the rug.

• If you have lost the label, then don’t worry. It’s better to handwash your rug to avoid any issues. 
• If your rug is small or just the size of a doormat, you may put it in the washing machine. 
• Set your washing machine on a delicate cycle while cleaning the rug.
• If your rug is too large, then it’s best to clean it by hand.

7. Wash The Rug By Hand

Take a plastic tub or a bathtub and fill it with cold water. Now pour a few drops of sheep detergent in it.

You can read the manufacturer’s instructions and pour the detergent into cold water. Never use regular detergent for cleaning your sheepskin rug, as it can damage it badly.

It may shrink if you submerge the sheepskin rug in water for a few hours.

Now start immersing your rug inside the cold water and swish it as gently as possible. You may scrub any area to remove the stains. But try to be gentle during scrubbing. Try to swish the rug inside the water for almost 5 minutes.

You can then drain all the dirty water from the plastic tub and fill it with cold water. Add a few drops of sheepskin detergent if your rug is still dirty. 

Swish the rug again in cold water and detergent solution for a few more minutes. This process will help remove all the dust and dirt accumulated inside the rug’s fabric.

Repeat the process if you still find the sheep rug dirty otherwise, you can drain the dirty water and refill the tub with cold water. Now gently wash your rug in cold water to remove all the detergent residues.

Squeeze all the excess water from the rug. Remember twisting or wringing a rug can damage the fibers badly. Allow the rug to air dry thoroughly. You can then take a brush and gently comb the rug fibers so the sheepskin rug will look fluffy again.

8. Wash Your Rug In Washing Machine

Washing the rug in the washing machine is an easy way to remove all the dust and dirt. Well, the rug needs to be cleaned in gentle cleaning mode. Set the temperature of hot water to 38 degrees Celsius. 

If your washing machine does not indicate the temperature, we recommend washing in cold water.

Add only sheep skin detergent in the washing machine while cleaning the rug. Remember, other detergents contain chemicals that can harm your rug. 

Also Read : 7 Best Door Sound Blocker 

How To Remove Urine Smell From The Sheep Skin Rug?

If you have a pet at home, they accidentally pee on your expensive sheepskin rug. The odor of the pee can linger for days on the rug you don’t like.

In such a case, you can thoroughly mix one part of vinegar and two parts of water. You can then spray it on the affected part and allow it to sit for a few hours. Rinse the area afterward to get rid of the pee smell.

How Can I Take Care Of My Sheep Skin Rug?

1. Shake Your Rug Frequently

You need to shake your rug frequently. It will help remove all the dust and dirt accumulated inside the fibers. Again frequent shaking will prevent the dust from settling deep inside the fibers.

2. Brush Your Rug

Try to make small investments to prolong the life of your sheepskin rug. Invest in a brush and comb the rug fibers within a few days so that the fibers will not have tangles.

3. Never Air Dry In Harsh Sun Rays

Sheepskin rugs don’t like the sun. The color will fade if you air dry in the harsh sun says. So always air dry in a shaded place to avoid color fading.

4. Try To Store In Cool Place

Remember, sheepskin rugs can easily catch molds. So, when you go outside, away from your home for a few months, try storing it in a cool and dry place. Your sheepskin rug should have minimum folds during storage.

5. Keep Your Rug Away From Damp areas

If you are mopping your floor hen, keep your rug at the side, or don’t lay the rug immediately on the floor. Allow the floor to dry completely, and then lay the rug. 

If you lay the rug immediately on the wet floor, it will develop mold quickly.

6. Spot Clean Your Rug

If something has spilled on your rug, then spot-clean it immediately. You do not need to clean the entire rug.

Sheepskin comprises lanolin which is secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. This lanolin will protect your rug from harsh conditions. But if you wash the rug repeatedly, it will strip off lanolin and make your rug look dull. So avoid deep cleaning your rug.

7. Dry Clean Your Rug

Machine washing or washing the rug by hand can fade or shrink color. If you are scared of such thighs, give your sheepskin rug for cleaning. But always try to give a professional dry cleaner to clean the rug.

Conclusion

Sheepskin rugs add beauty to your floor. Sitting or keeping your feet on it gives a cozy feeling. But unfortunately, the rug gets dirty with time. Try to shake the rug frequently to remove dust chunks inside the fibers. 

Deep-clean your sheepskin rug when it is essential. You can wash either in the washing machine or hand wash the rug. Squeeze the excess water and dry it in a shaded place. Take a wide tooth comb and brush the rug to untangle the fibers.

Thank you for reading this article!

FAQ : How To Clean Sheepskin Rug