We have two magic words for you when it comes to keeping your sheepskin rugs and home items in beautiful condition: spot clean! While it is possible to machine wash your rug it should be viewed as a last resort, as it will permanently alter your rug's texture, size, and color (not to mention larger rugs can damage your washing machine). Hand washing, while gentler, makes it difficult to remove enough water for the rug to dry properly. Proceed with care and caution if you choose to use one of these cleaning methods—and remember, spot cleaning is optimal.
To spot clean your rug, dilute mild liquid household detergent in cold water. We recommend Eucalan™ or mild liquid hand soap. Do not use commercial laundry detergents, soap containing enzymes or bleach, soap containing hand sanitizer, or products that are alkaline. Never use fabric softeners or soap with softening additives. Once the diluted detergent solution has been applied and any spots have lifted, thoroughly remove any residue with cool water. Hand squeeze as much water from the sheepskin as possible.
Whether your rug has been spot cleaned or inadvertently gotten wet, always air dry it away from any heat source and out of direct sunlight. Do not tumble dry in the dryer, as this will cause hardening of the suede.
When your rug is fully dry, fluff the wool back to its full shape by brushing it thoroughly with a wire brush.
