How to clean a sheepskin rug from the Rug Seller experts
From machine to hand, the experts at The Rug Seller reveal their fail-safe tips on how to wash a sheepskin rug.
Image: The Rug Seller
Nothing brings comfort and cosiness to your home like a plush rug made from natural fibres. Perfect for sitting on in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter evening or simply feeling the warmth under your feet, rugs attract a lot of attention that helps gather dust and dirt particles over time.
If you’ve been putting off giving your rug a thorough clean through fear of ruining its original texture and shape, then you need to take heed of this stellar cleaning advice from experts at The Rug Seller – a sponsor of our festive roomsets at Ideal Home Show Christmas 2018 – to ensure your sheepskin rug is as soft and immaculate as the day you first brought it home.
Remove dust and loose particles with a wire brush
Image: The Rug Seller
Sheepskin rugs can last a long time if properly cared for. Always take the time to read the instructions that come with your sheepskin rug. Most of the time, and for general weekly upkeep, you can remove dust and loose particles easily by using a wire brush to rake up the wool pile. Or it can be taken to be professionally cleaned or to the dry cleaners. Though, this this can be quite expensive.
Machine washing on the Cool Wool setting and use non-enzyme shampoo
Image: The Rug Seller
Depending on the size of your sheepskin rug, they can be machine washed. If you do machine wash make sure you use the Cool Wool setting and use a non-enzyme shampoo. The sheepskin shampoo should be specially manufactured for use with sheepskin-friendly products.
Cleaning your sheepskin rug by hand? Follow these fail-safe instructions:
Image: The Rug Seller
- Fill a bathtub with cool or lukewarm water. But don’t use hot water, as it will cause your sheepskin rug to shrink and we both don’t want that to happen. Add a specialist sheepskin and wool detergent. As a standard wool detergent may cause damage. Place the sheepskin in the tub and gently swish it around in the water to loosen any dirt particles for up to five minutes.
- Once you have cleaned your rug, gently wring out as much of the water as possible. It would be wise for two people to do this process as you can each have one end of the rug and both gently keep twisting until the water stops coming out. Hang it on a line or lay the rug out on a clean towel to air dry. Pull the leather into shape, keeping it flat, and make sure the sheepskin dries in a cool, shaded place, away from direct sunlight or heat (which can cause shrinkage).
- Using a metal bristled sheepskin brush, fluff the wool gently while still damp. Brush it once again, while drying, and do a final brush after it’s dried – your sheepskin will return to its natural fluffiness!
Do you have any tips for cleaning a natural rug? Tweet us @goodhomesmag or post a comment on our Facebook page.
Make sure you pop down to the Ideal Home Show Christmas (21st – 25th November 2018) at Olympia, London to see The Rug Seller’s trends brought to life at our roomsets.