How do I clean a sheepskin rug?

Our sheepskins are meant and manufactured to be used and loved - draped on a sofa, lying next to your bed, or as a snooze spot for your favorite pets. However, as time goes on, your sheepskin may pick up a little dirt and dust from daily use. Rugs from natural fibers like ours can take  a few extra steps to care for, but with a little time and care your sheepskin can be back looking beautiful in your home again.   Read on to discover how to clean a sheepskin rug effectively. 

First, gather your materials: 

• Metal pet comb

• Wool detergent

• Water basin 

Step 1 - Shake it off! 

The first step is to remove any loose dirt you may have on your lovely sheepskin, so go outside and give it a good old shake! If you have one of those carpet-whacker bamboo tools, feel free to use that too. The goal is to remove as much debris (hay and straw for us, usually) as possible so that the cleaning process is effective. Dried on mud can be removed with a metal pet comb - the kind you might use for a very shaggy dog! 

For a more thorough clean, we’d also recommend going over your fleece with a (gentle) vacuum. Often these two steps are enough to care for your sheepskin - do this regularly to maintain a lovely clean finish, and avoid set-in dirt and discoloration. 

Step 2 - decide whether you want to spot- or deep-clean your fleece. 

We would almost always recommend spot-cleaning, but sometimes that’s not enough for harsh smells and stains. If that’s you, skip the next bit and jump straight to ‘how to deep clean a sheepskin’. If you’re looking for a lighter touch approach, read on. 

How to spot clean a fleece 

Apply a specialized sheepskin detergent to a damp cloth and lightly blot the stain. Resist the urge to scrub at the stain - like spilling coffee on white sheets, scrubbing will only make the stain worse. Regular detergent or fabric softener will damage the fibres, so we don’t recommend you use them. Rinse the stained area, then pat dry with a towel and lay flat somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight. 

How to deep clean a fleece 

Fill a clean basin with cool water, add your wool shampoo and submerge your sheepskin. Wait for 30 minutes. Avoid interfering with the fibres - this can tangle them! Once you’re done, rinse with cool water and pat dry with a towel. Lay on a flat surface to dry naturally. 

Step 3 - how to finish cleaning your sheepskin 

Sometimes wet-and-dried fleece can develop an odd clumpy look as the fibres dry in a pattern.  This can be fixed as follows: once dry, take your trusty pet comb and gently brush the fibers to fluff them up again. You’re done! Admire your beautiful fleece, ready for many more years of warmth and love. 

NOTE: The information on this post is adapted from this Better Homes and Gardens article.