Caring for Your Sheepskin Rugs

Investing in high-quality sheepskin rug adds a touch of luxury and comfort to your home. To ensure these beautiful products maintain their softness, appearance, and durability, proper care is essential. With proper care, they will last you for decades.

Rules of the wool and a few things to remember:

• Avoid direct sunlight. This stops UV damage or fading of darker shaded products
• Shake rugs, cushions, bean bags regularly, if it can handle a shake, liven it up!
• Dry vacuum rugs regularly (with a plain suction unit*)
• Attend to spills and stains as promptly as possible
• Remember not to rub, brush or massage wool skin products when they are damp or wet

*Turbo and revolving brush vacuum cleaners can damage the wool fibre and cause “frizziness”. These are a strict NO!

1. Understanding the Nature of Sheepskin and Alpaca Wool:

Before diving into the care tips, it’s important to understand the unique properties of sheepskin and alpaca wool. Sheepskin is a natural product with a leather underside and wool fibers that are resilient and self-cleaning to some extent. Alpaca wool, on the other hand, is known for its softness, warmth, and hypoallergenic properties. Both materials require gentle care to preserve their natural beauty and functionality.

2. Regular Maintenance for Sheepskin Rugs:

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your sheepskin rug looking fresh and luxurious.

• Shaking and Brushing: Shake your sheepskin rug outdoors regularly to remove dust and loose dirt. Use a soft-bristle brush or a special sheepskin brush to gently comb through the fibers, preventing matting and keeping the wool fluffy.
• Vacuuming: Use a vacuum cleaner with a gentle brush attachment to vacuum your sheepskin rug. Avoid using the rotating brush or beater bar, as it can damage the fibers. Vacuum in the direction of the wool to prevent tangling.

3. Spot Cleaning Sheepskin Rugs:

Accidents happen, but prompt spot cleaning can prevent stains from setting.

• DO ‘contain the stain’ Blot up liquids immediately using a paper towel or clean cloth. In the event of any large area spills, we would recommend putting a clean towel down and standing on it to absorb a much liquid as possible. Scoop up solids immediately using a knife or spoon – try not to push the substance further into the wool pile.
• DON’T ‘treat it mean’ Don't rub wet wool pile… ever! This will damage the wool pile and can spread the stain further. Don't drown the wool in water or any other liquid. This may cause watermarks on the surface and/or damage the backing of rugs.
• Wet Stain Remover: We recommend the use of a Wet Stain Remover for liquid stains. But, again, you must firmly blot up the stain first before applying any stain treatment. If you don’t have any ‘Wet Stain Remover’, dilute the area with lukewarm water (not hot water) and re-blot thoroughly using a clean dry towel or paper towel. Make sure that you do not rub the stain. You can continue to gently apply water and re-blot. The wool pile will not be damaged by water as long as you don’t over-wet the wool. The good news is most oily or greasy stains can be removed, even after a period of time.

4. Deep Cleaning Sheepskin Rugs:

Dogs, pets and children all love sheepskin, but rest assured small stains and light soiling can be spot cleaned easily with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Occasionally, your sheepskin rug may require a more thorough cleaning.

• Hand Washing: Fill a bathtub or large basin with lukewarm water (40c or 104f) and add a small amount of liquid detergent suitable for hand washing dishes. Gently submerge the rug and swish it around to loosen dirt. Avoid scrubbing or wringing the rug. Drain the soapy water and rinse the rug thoroughly with clean water.
• Drying: Squeeze out excess water gently and roll the rug in a towel to absorb more moisture. Lay the rug flat on a clean surface to dry, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Gently brush the wool once it’s completely dry to restore its fluffiness.
• Products with cotton or other backing material: Dry cleaning is recommended for any products with backing materials. It is also best to dry clean dyed products as colors may bleed.

5. Caring for Alpaca Wool Throws:

Alpaca wool throws require delicate handling to maintain their softness and structure.

• Regular Airing: Regularly air out your alpaca throw to keep it fresh. Simply hang it outside on a dry, breezy day.
• Spot Cleaning: For small stains, use a cloth dampened with cold water and a mild wool detergent. Gently blot the stained area and rinse with a clean cloth. Avoid soaking the throw.

6. Washing Alpaca Wool Throws:

When it’s time for a thorough cleaning, it’s recommended you seek a professional.

7. Storing Sheepskin Rugs and Alpaca Throws:

Proper storage ensures your wool products remain in excellent condition when not in use.

• Clean Before Storage: Make sure your sheepskin rug and alpaca throw are clean and completely dry before storing.
• Breathable Storage: Store your wool products in a breathable cotton bag or a clean, dry place. Avoid plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and cause mildew.
• Avoiding Compression: Store your items flat or loosely folded to prevent compression and maintain their shape.

Caring for your sheepskin rugs and alpaca throws doesn’t have to be daunting. With regular maintenance and proper cleaning techniques, you can preserve their luxurious feel and appearance for many years. At Parker Wool, we work hard to select only the top quality hides for our products, and we hope these tips help you keep them looking their best. Invest a little time in their care, and you’ll continue to enjoy the unparalleled comfort and elegance of sheepskin and alpaca wool in your home.

Explore our collection and find the perfect wool products to enhance your living space today!