How To Clean Sheepskin Rug At Home : Step By Step Process

Sheepskin rugs are soft and fluffy and enhance the beauty of any area in your dwelling. But regular walking on the sheep or allowing your pet dogs and cats to play on the sheep rug can make it dirty.

Some people think that it’s pretty challenging to clean sheep skin rugs. But in actuality, it is not so. 

The article discusses a step-by-step guide on how to clean sheepskin rug. So, you can keep reading the article to learn more about the cleaning methods of sheep skin rugs.

What Are The Different Types Of Sheep Rug Available In the Market?

There are two types of sheep rugs on the market. 

1. Natural Sheep Skin Rug

These rugs comprise of natural skin of the sheep and are a bit expensive. The sheep’s skin must undergo a tanning process before it can be used on the rug.

2.Faux Sheep Skin Rug

A faux sheep skin rug consists of synthetic materials and looks exactly like a natural sheep skin rug. They are affordable and found in various shapes and colors. You can wash them in the washing machine whenever they are dirty. However, they are not durable in comparison to natural sheep skin rugs.

How To Clean A Sheep Skin’s Rug ?

Sheepskin consists of lanolin which is secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. It protects the rug from different environmental conditions. But when you wash the sheep rug frequently, it strips away the lanolin from it and consequently looks dull.

Well, if your sheep rug is too dirty, you can follow the below methods for cleaning it and making it look bright and beautiful again.

Method 1: Cleaning Sheep Rug In Washing Machine

1. Shake The Sheep Rug Several Time To Remove All Possible Dirt

Bring your sheep rug outside and shape it backward and forward to remove all possible dirt and debris. You need to even hit the sheep rug lightly with your hand to remove any dirt which has accumulated in your sheep rug.

This process will not remove all dirt from your soft and fluffy sheep rug, but big chunks of dirt or debris will get removed.

2. Use Vacuum Cleaner

You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the extra debris from the sheep rug, which has not been removed even after shaking it numerous times outside.

3.Brush Your Sheep Rug

You can take a brush with has big tooth or a carding brush and use it on the entire sheep rug. It will help in removing all possible knots on your sheep rug. You need to brush the sheep rug slowly, damaging it badly.

4. Read The Label Before Washing Your Sheep Rug

Your next duty is to read the label carefully before washing your sheep rug. Remember, every sheep rug comes with a label and a few instructions you must follow when it is dirty. Following the proper instructions can make your sheep rug clean and fluffy once again.

For instance, if your sheep rug is small and about the size of a door mat, it’s better to put it on your washing machine and allow it to wash on a delicate cycle. Remember, your sheep rug is very delicate. So, it should be washed in cold water. If you wash in hot water, then it can damage your rug badly.

You must choose the woolen cycle on the washing machine and put some sheep skin detergent for cleaning. Remember, other detergents may contain bleach or alkaline products, damaging your sheep rug ultimately. Allow your sheep rug to wash in the washing machine and then allow it to dry.

But if your sheep rug is too large, putting it in the washing machine can damage its quality badly. You need to handwash your sheep rug at that time for the best results. But if your sheep rug does not have instructions in the worst case, it’s better to hand wash it.

5. Allow The Sheep Rug To Dry In A Well Ventilated Area

You must allow your sheep rug to dry in a well-ventilated space. But don’t dry in direct sunlight because it can again affect its quality. You can use a brush to comb your rug when it is wet.

6. Brush The Rug Once It Is Dry

 You must take a pet brush and comb your sheep rug once completely dry. Your sheep is now neat and clean and ready to use again.

Method 2: Wash Your Sheep Rug By Hand

It is the most preferred method for washing sheep rugs. Let’s discuss the step-by-step procedure for cleaning sheep rugs using your hand.

1. Shake Outside

Shake outside to remove all possible dirt from the sheep rug.

2. Use Brush

Take a wide-toothed brush and comb your sheep rug gently to remove all the possible knots.

3. Fill A Tub With Water And add Some Detergent Into It

Take a tub, fill it with cold water, and add some sheep skin detergent. Try to read the instructions before putting the sheep detergent into the water. But if there is no instruction, put one cap of sheep detergent into the water.

Don’t add any laundry detergent for cleaning the sheep rug, as it can damage it permanently. Another thing you need to keep in mind is that washing a sheep rug in water can shrink it.

4. Gently Swish The Sheep Rug In Water For Few Minutes

Now swirl your sheep rug in cold water for a few minutes. If you have dirty spots, gently scrub them with your hand.

5. Release The Dirty Water

Now it’s time to release all the dirty water and fill the tub with cold water. If you find your sheep rug is still dirty, add some sheep detergent. But this time, the amount should be less than the first time. Swirl your sheep rug again in cold water for a few minutes.

6. Fill The Tub Once Again With Cold Water

Now release the dirty water and once again fill it with cold water. Submerge the sheep rug in cold water and rinse it finally. Squeeze excess water from the sheep rug.

7. Transfer Your Sheep Rug To Washing Machine

Put your sheep rug in the washing machine to drain out excess water.

8. Lay Your Sheep Rug To Dy

Lay your sheep rug on a clean towel and pull it to its proper shape. Don’t try to dry your sheep rug by keeping it in direct sunlight or near any fireplace because it will deteriorate its quality. It can even hamper the shape of the sheep rug.

9. Brush Your Sheep rug

Take a large toothcomb and brush your sheep rug when it is wet. You must brush your sheep rug once again when it is completely dry. If you find any fibers on the brush, you are combing aggressively. So, brush gently to bring back the same fluffiness on your sheep rug.

Once you complete your combing part, your sheep rug will look fluffy and gorgeous. Now it’s ready to put on any corner of your house. 

Method 3: Alternative Methods

Washing your sheep rug in a washing machine can damage its fibers. Additionally, if you choose to hand wash your sheep rug, it may hamper its shape. So, spot cleaning is best to clean your sheep rug.

1.Water Stain

You must first identify the type of stain on your sheep rug. If it’s a water stain, i.e., accidentally coffee or mud has fallen on your beautiful sheep rug, then you must immediately follow the below methods for cleaning it.

• Take a clean cloth and blot as much liquid as possible from your sheep rug.
• Apply a few drops of sheep detergent to the rug.
• Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
• Take a neat and clean cloth and dampen it.
• Remove the excess detergent from the sheep rug with the wet cloth.
• If possible, gently scrub the area until all the dirt is removed from the sheep rug.
• Repeat rinsing till you remove all the excess dirt.
• Allow it to dry in a well-ventilated space.
• Brush your sheep rug
• Your sheep rug is now neat and clean.

2.Oil Stains

Sometimes cooking oil can fall on your sheep rug by mistake. Well, you don’t need to panic at all. You have o follow the below steps for cleaning oil stains from your gorgeous sheep rug.

• Scrape all the solids with a spoon.
• Apply a few drops of sheep detergent to the spot.
• Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
• Take a clean cloth and dampen it.
• Take that wet cloth and clean the excess detergent from the spot.
• You can scrub it gently to remove the stain.
• Keep rinsing till you remove all the dirt from your sheep rug.
• Allow the sheep rug to dry in a safe and well-ventilated place.
• Brush it with a pet brush
• Your sheep rug is free from oil stains and ready to use again.

3.Odour Lingering

Sometimes odors can linger on your beautiful sheep rug for a long time, and you don’t like the smell. 

Follow the below methods for getting rid of lingering odor from the sheep rug.

• Sprinkle some baking soda on the spot from where an unpleasant smell is coming.
• Leave it for almost 12 hours.
• Take a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda
• Allow the sheep rug to dry 
• Brush it
• Your sheep rug is neat, clean, and free of foul odor.

4.Urine Smell

Do you have pets at home? If yes, then they may accidentally pee on your beautiful sheep rug. 

Well, you don’t need to panic in this situation. You must follow the steps below to remove the urine smell from the sheep rug.

• Remove as much urine as possible with an old cloth or towel.
• Take vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2 in a spray bottle.
• Spray it on the affected part and allow it to sit for a few hours.
• Rinse the area with cold water
• Allow it to dry
• Repeat the process if needed.

5. Old And Stubborn Stains

• Take a spray bottle and mix vinegar and warm water in a ratio of 1:4.
• Apply it to the affected area.
• Allow it to sit for a few minutes
• Rinse with cold water
• Repeat the process if required.

Tips For Keeping Your Sheep Rug Neat And Clean

1.Don’t Keep Your Rug In High Traffic Areas

You should prevent your sheep rug from keeping it high-traffic areas of your dwelling.

2. Vacuum Your Sheep Rug Daily

Dust and dirt can easily stay inside the fibers of a sheep rug and make it look dull and dirty. You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust and debris from it. But make sure the setting should be set low while using a vacuum cleaner.

3. Don’t Allow The Stains To Settle For A Prolonged Time

You should not wait long to clean the stains on your sheep rug. You should clean the sheep rug immediately. Additionally, it becomes easy to clean the stain from your sheep rug. 

4. Take Advantage Of Sunlight

You can occasionally hang your sheep rug in the sunlight. Exposing sunlight can help in removing odors and can lighten the stains. But exposure for long hours in direct sunlight can harm your sheep rug badly. It can cause yellow stains or damage the fiber and make it hard. The same principle applies to an electric heater. 

5.Store Sheep Rug When Not In Use

Sometimes you don’t use the sheep rug. It’s best to keep it in a dry place or wardrobe by keeping some mothballs.

Conclusion

Sheep rugs look lovely when you lay them in any room in your dwelling. But dust and dirt accumulated with time. Again pet dogs can pee on it, or some food can spill on the sheep rug and make it look dirty. You can use the above methods to clean the sheep rug and make it look new.

FAQ : How To Clean Sheepskin Rug