How to Clean a Sheepskin Rug
Sheepskin wool is a soft, resilient natural fiber that keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It is also extremely strong, resisting most snags, tears, wrinkles and pilling. A sheepskin rug requires little care--brushing, shaking out or vacuuming will usually do the trick. But when your rug needs a deeper cleaning, follow the simple instructions below. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Wire brush
- Vacuum with attachments
- Washing machine
- Non-enzyme sheepskin shampoo
- Wool conditioner
Instructions
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Remove dust by brushing up the wool pile with a wire brush, shaking out the skin and vacuuming with an attachment.
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Put the rug in your washing machine and use a non-enzyme shampoo made specifically for washable sheepskin items. Pre-soak the rug in the shampoo for 20 minutes if you have stubborn stains or dirt.
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Wash on gentle cycle using lukewarm water that does not exceed 100 degrees F.
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Add a high-quality wool conditioner to the final rinse to soften the leather and condition the wool. Rinse once more and spin dry.
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Lay the rug flat and dry it away from heat. Gently flex and massage the skin side while the rug dries to soften it.
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Brush the dried rug again to restore the wool pile.
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Tips & Warnings
Skin shrinkage of between eight to ten percent is common after washing a sheepskin rug.
Sheepskin is dry cleanable with either white spirits or perchlorethylene.
Do not use laundry detergents on your sheepskin rug.
Do not vacuum a sheepskin rug unless you use an attachment.
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Comments
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What kind of conditioner did you use?
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I just washed my large white sheepskin rug for the first time. The blogs and the google searches really helped - especially comments NOT to use woolite. I used the hand wash cycle of my new HE washer - I think the fact it lacks an ajitator helps to not damage the rug. I washed it in warm. Came out FABULOUS...used some castile soap and oxyclean and added a conditioner during an additional rinse cycle.
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my daughter is potty training and had an accident on the sheepskin rug. I took it outside and hosed it off with cold water, let it drip dry, then used my rug doctor upholstery tool and some oxyclean and cleaned it thoroughly and it fluffed up like brand new and is completely clean. I let the tanned side dry in the sun, and used a wide tooth comb to brush it a little (the brush of the upholstery tool worked wonders into the fur) This rug looks brand spanking new again. No special cleaners, just water and oxyclean. done.
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I am having the same problem. Did you have any success with washing your rug? Mine is black as well.
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My sheepskin rug is full of bits that I can't seem to vacum out. I have tried shaking it and also brushing it but they won't budge. I was thinking of washing it to try and get them out that way but I'm not sure if it'll work. They really stand out with the rug been black. Anyone have any ideas?
