How to Clean a Sheepskin Rug
“Natural sheepskin is easy to care for; to remain beautiful, it has to have a little care.” - Sabine Maes
A genuine sheepskin rug is naturally resilient; that’s part of why these pieces are so coveted. Raw sheep’s wool contains lanolin, a natural protective layer that repels dirt and moisture while keeping the fibers soft and open. With a little preventive care, a sheepskin rug can live in a home for decades and still retain its original unique beauty, shape, and texture.
Whether you have a smaller patchwork sheepskin rug or a giant sheepskin rug, the same basic care and cleaning principles apply. Review Wol Society’s sizing information for guidance on selecting the right scale rug for your client’s home.
Essential Tools for Genuine Sheepskin Rug Care
Sheepskin rug care is simple. There are only two essential sheepskin cleaning and care tools to keep on hand.
Hand-Held Vacuum
While shaking out your rug outdoors is the ideal way to remove debris, using a hand-held vacuum on its gentlest setting is an easy way to collect visible dust and crumbs. Handheld vacuums without a rotating brush head are the best option, since spinning bristles can agitate, flatten, and tangle the natural shape and curl of the wool fibers. If you’re using an upright vacuum, be sure to turn the brushes off.
Sheepskin Rug Brush
Brushing your natural sheepskin rug with a wool comb or wire pet brush prevents matting and helps the rug retain its shape, structure, and sense of balance. For large or oversized sheepskin rugs, choose a larger brush to save time. Every Wol Society rug arrives with its own brush, as a gift for its new caretaker.
How to Wash a Sheepskin Rug
What if a spill is too big for spot cleaning, or a well-loved rug starts to look noticeably unclean?
For deeper cleaning, we again recommend using just mild soap and water.
There are also wool washes available that are specifically designed for washing sheepskin rugs and are infused with lanolin. If mild soap and water aren’t enough to get a rug clean, using one of these products may be appropriate.
When in doubt, ask before cleaning. Every piece is one-of-a-kind, and natural sheepskin can vary in texture, density, color, and backing. If your piece has a significant stain or you’re unsure how to care for it, please contact us before attempting a deeper clean.
We’ll help you determine the best approach for preserving the softness, texture, and natural character of your piece.
How to Brush a Sheepskin Rug
Matted sheepskin rugs look messy and unloved. Regular brushing sessions keep the wool fluffy, sleek, and tactile.
How to brush a sheepskin rug:
Use a wool comb or wire pet brush.
Brush the entire rug, working in one small section at a time and moving the brush with the natural direction of the wool.
If the rug feels stiff after brushing, misting it with water may help smooth out the fibers.
Cleaning Methods: How to Spot Clean a Sheepskin Rug
Handcrafted sheepskin rugs are designed to be enjoyed, touched, and appreciated, so the occasional spill is bound to happen. Natural materials call for simple, gentle cleansers. Mild soap and water is often sufficient to treat spills before they turn into stains.
How to Spot Clean a Sheepskin Rug: Step-by-Step
If the spill is fresh, press down on the area with paper towels or a clean cloth to blot as much liquid as possible. Don’t scrub or rub at the spill; this could damage the fibers.
Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl of water.
Dip another clean cloth into the soap solution, wring out the cloth to remove excess liquid, and blot the stain again.
Dip another cloth or towel in clean water and blot the area again to remove any soap residue.
Let the rug air dry. After a day or two, brush the spot-cleaned area with a wire brush to smooth the wool fibers.
To treat an oil-based stain, sprinkle cornstarch over the area and allow it to sit overnight. The cornstarch can be brushed away once it has absorbed the stain.
Drying a Sheepskin Rug
After spot cleaning, air drying is the only recommended way to dry a sheepskin rug, and there’s no safe way to speed up the process. If possible, drape the rug over a table indoors; this keeps it safe from outdoor conditions, such as animal damage, pollen, and natural debris.
Heat is an enemy to wool. Do not put your sheepskin rug in the dryer; it can permanently damage the wool fibers and create cracks in the leather backing. The agitation of a dryer can also destroy the shape and texture of the rug.
FAQs
What advice do you have on how to clean a sheepskin rug?
Vacuum your sheepskin rug weekly with a handheld vacuum. Regularly brushing the rug with a wire pet brush or wool comb is also advised; this helps keep the fibers soft and fluffy, helping to maintain the rug’s natural texture. Spot cleaning a sheepskin rug annually will also keep it looking its best.
Is there a recommended method for how to brush a sheepskin rug?
Using a wool comb or wire pet brush, work in one small section at a time, gently brushing in the natural direction of the wool. Do this periodically to keep a rug from becoming matted. As a gift to you, a brush is included with every Wol Society rug purchase.
Do dust mites live in sheepskin?
Dense fibers and waxy lanolin make sheepskin inhospitable to dust mites, relative to other rug materials. Routine care will help keep dust mites from building up in real sheepskin rugs.
What should you never do when caring for your sheepskin rug?
Never rub a spill into the fleece. Use a paper towel or absorbent cotton cloth to gently blot the stain to absorb the liquid.
Never use hot water, harsh detergents, bleach, or enzyme-based laundry products; they are too harsh for the wool, and can strip away the lanolin and damage the wool fibers.
Never put the sheepskin rug in the dryer, or apply direct heat from radiators or the dryer
Never soak the leather backing or fully submerge the rug in water; too much water exposure can damage the leather backing and wool fibers.
Never use a washing machine, or a vacuum with heavy suction or rotating brush heads; agitating the wool can tangle and break the fibers.
Never take your sheepskin rug to a dry cleaner; the harsh chemicals used by dry cleaners strip away the lanolin, destroying the rug’s natural protective layer.