How To Care For Wool Rugs?

Sheepskin rugs are a delight to own and can give you years of soft, cozy, comfort, as long as you take good care of them. Knowing how to clean and maintain rug sheepskin will help you keep it lustrous and plush for a long time to come.

One of the biggest sources of damage and wear to rug sheepskin is water, which makes washing rug sheepskin and interesting challenge. The first line of defense against a dirty sheepskin rug is a simple wire brush. Don't even use water to clean rug sheepskin without having tried cleaning it dry first by scrubbing it with a wire brush and then shaking it out. Often that's all it takes to get most dirt out, get the wool combed and pulled, and have your rug sheepskin looking clean again. That and a good vacuuming (but use an attachment, not a piece with a roller bar that can catch hairs).

If the wire brush and vacuuming aren't enough, then try spot cleaning the parts that need it. Simply tossing rug sheepskin into a washing machine will wear it down quickly, and even if after the first few washings it looks better, it will soon start wither and lose its softness and shine. Washing by hand in a bathtub of cold water is much better for the life and vitality of rug sheepskin.

As for soap, only use mild, non-alkaline detergent or wool-safe soap. Do not use bleach or regular laundry detergent if you don't want to counteract the hide's tanning process. Don't use any soaps with biological enzymes in them either, as that can damage the hide too.

Lay rug sheepskin out to dry and stretch it, or hand it on the clothesline to dry. Just don't throw it into the dryer. Even on the lowest, tumble setting, a dryer can easily damage rug sheepskin. While the rug sheepskin is drying would be a good time to fluff it up some with a wire brush.

Of course, alternatively, you could save yourself all of this trouble by just finding a good dry cleaner nearby and take your rug sheepskin in to be cleaned there.

However you decide to clean and maintain it, you could keep your rug sheepskin looking as fresh and soft as the day you brought it home with just a little regular attention.