A genuine sheepskin rug is built to last for years, but the wool and the leather backing need slightly different care than an ordinary rug. Wash it the wrong way and the pelt can go stiff, shrink, or lose its softness. Done properly, a good clean brings the fleece back to life and keeps it looking full and bright. Here is the method we recommend for our own sheepskin rugs.
Everyday care comes first
Most of the time your rug does not need washing at all. A regular shake outdoors removes dust and loose dirt before it works its way into the fibres. Every week or two, give the wool a gentle brush with a wire pet brush or a wide-tooth comb. Brush in the direction the wool naturally falls, not against it. This lifts flattened areas, keeps the fleece fluffy, and stops the tips from matting.
Keep the rug out of direct, all-day sunlight where you can. Constant strong sun will slowly fade natural colours over the years, the same way it does with any wool textile.
Dealing with spills and small marks
Act quickly on spills. Blot the liquid with a clean cloth or paper towel, pressing down rather than rubbing, so you lift it out instead of pushing it deeper. For a sticky or greasy mark, mix a little lukewarm water with a small amount of wool-safe or pH-neutral detergent, dampen a cloth, and dab the spot. Rinse the cloth, wipe again with plain water, then let it air dry. Never soak the leather side to remove a small surface stain.
How to wash a whole sheepskin rug
When the rug needs a full clean, hand washing is the safest route:
- Fill a bath or large tub with cool or lukewarm water. Water that is too hot is the single most common way people ruin a sheepskin, so keep it below 30°C (about 85°F).
- Add a capful of a dedicated wool detergent or sheepskin shampoo. Ordinary laundry powder and anything with bleach or enzymes will strip the natural lanolin out of the wool.
- Submerge the rug and gently move it through the water. Do not scrub, wring, or twist it.
- Drain, then rinse with fresh cool water until the water runs clear.
Press the water out gently with your hands. You can roll the rug in a dry towel to draw out more moisture, but never wring it.
Can you machine wash it?
Some smaller genuine sheepskins can handle a cool, gentle, wool-cycle wash, but this is a last resort and only for pieces the maker has confirmed are washable. If you do machine wash, use cold water, the slowest spin, and a wool detergent. When in doubt, hand wash. It is slower but far kinder to the pelt.
Drying the right way
Drying is where the softness is won or lost. Lay the rug flat or hang it over a drying rack away from direct heat. Keep it well clear of radiators, tumble dryers, and hot sun, because heat dries out the leather backing and turns it hard and brittle. While the pelt is still slightly damp, brush the wool through a few times to keep it from clumping as it dries. A final brush once it is fully dry restores the fluffy, open finish.
Keeping the backing supple
The suede-like backing is skin, so it likes to stay flexible. If it ever feels stiff after washing, gently stretch and work the leather in your hands to soften it again. Storing the rug flat rather than folded also helps it keep its shape.
The short version
Cool water, wool-safe detergent, no wringing, no direct heat, and a good brush while damp. Follow those five rules and a real sheepskin will stay soft and full for many years. If you are looking to add another to the collection, browse our full range of genuine sheepskin rugs.
