The basics of cleaning a sheepskin rug are really quite simple. First, you want to get the dry soil out, either by shaking the rug out outside or using a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to extract the dirt out of the rug. Next, introduce moisture as a solvent by using a solution of water mixed with dish soap or other cleaning product. Either soak or wipe that out and then groom it when it’s dry. Simple!

There are three easy methods you can do at home that are designed to help you avoid aggressive methods like machine washing that can damage your delicate fabrics and desiccate or warp the leather backing of your precious rug.

These are:

Method 1: Clean Like a Pro!

• After you’ve removed all the dry soil and debris from your sheepskin rug, liberally apply your cleaning solution to the rug using a spray bottle. Your diluted solution should ideally be one percent dish soap and five percent rubbing alcohol in a liter of water. However, you can substitute with rug or wool shampoo, or even baby shampoo.

• Using a hand brush, you’re going to then groom the spray into the rug to loosen all the bonded soil. This causes the bonded soil to become emulsified in the water of the cleaning agent.

• Last, you’re going to use a box extractor, also known as a portable carpet cleaning machine, to rinse out the rug and extract the solution.

• Let your rug dry, preferably by hanging it up. Once it’s finished drying, use a pet grooming brush, the one with the metal bristles, to groom your rug and reset the pile. Brush in multiple directions to restore fluffiness.

Method 2: Shop-Vac Method

• Once you’ve removed all the dirt and dry soil from your rug, liberally apply your dish soap/rubbing alcohol solution into the rug.

• After a few minutes, use a hand brush to groom the rug, gently, so as not to agitate or burst the fibers. This will ensure it really gets into those fibers and release the soil.

• Using the narrow nozzle from your wet/dry vacuum cleaner, also known as a shop-vac, you’re then going to vacuum out the slurry.

• If you’re concerned about any residue left in the wool, at this point mix up a ten percent white vinegar water solution and re-spray the rug. Extract the moisture with the shop-vac to neutralize the cleaning agent and remove whatever tiny amounts of residue that were left over.

• Hang your sheepskin rug up to dry. When it’s finished, use the pet grooming brush to reset the pile and restore the rug’s fluff.

Method 3: Cleaning Solution/Towel Method

• This method is perfect for those who don’t have a wet/dry vacuum cleaner and find themselves in a pinch, or you just want to lightly freshen up your sheepskin rug. Like the other methods, remove any dry soil, dirt, and debris from your rug.

• Spray the area with your dish soap/rubbing alcohol cleaning solution.

• After a few minutes, groom the solution into the rug using a hand brush.

• Fold your towel so it resembles a bun. By doing so, it’s more controlled and better to use. After it’s folded, wipe the area. This is known as a low-moisture clean and it’s highly effective at pulling the dirt out from your rug. As an alternative, and an even lower-moisture clean, you can spray just the folded towel with the solution and wipe the areas on your rug that you want cleaned.

• Let your rug dry, preferably hung up. When it’s finished, use the pet grooming brush to reset the pile, brushing in all directions to restore the fluffiness to your rug.

• Finally, once your rug is dried and properly groomed, you can condition it with a protein collagen conditioner with oils and keratin to make your sheepskin rug even softer! This final step can be done after all three cleaning methods.

Here we have three easy-to-do methods that will not only clean your sheepskin rugs from all stains, dirt, and debris, but these methods help to preserve the leather backing of your rugs by preventing warping that is typically caused by machines. With just a few simple tools at your disposal, you can easily restore your sheepskin rug to like new!

However, for those of you without those tools, or those of you who just don’t have the time or ability to clean your sheepskin rug on your own, there is another way. You can always enlist the help of a professional carpet cleaning company.

Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning is one of the best rug cleaning companies in the country. If you’re worried about potentially DIY-ing your rug and ruining the delicate fibers, then you have no reason to fret. The certified technicians at Safe-Dry are trained to properly treat and clean almost every type of rug, including sheepskin.

Visit their website and book your appointment online or call one of their offices and let a professional take care of cleaning your sheepskin rug. You can trust that your precious investment is in safe hands.