How to Hand Wash a Sheepskin Rug
Hand washing can be a gentle and controlled way to clean some genuine sheepskin rugs, but it's important to check the care instructions before you begin. Not every sheepskin is suitable for full immersion in water, and differences in tanning, dyes, age and condition can all affect how a rug responds to washing.
If your rug's care instructions permit hand washing, use cool or lukewarm water and a cleaning product suitable for wool and sheepskin. Avoid vigorous scrubbing, twisting or wringing the rug, and always allow it to dry naturally away from direct heat.
The aim isn't simply to clean the wool. You also need to protect the natural leather hide underneath.
Can You Hand Wash a Sheepskin Rug?
Some genuine sheepskin rugs can be hand washed, but you should always check the care instructions for your individual rug first.
Unlike a conventional wool rug, genuine sheepskin consists of wool fibres that remain attached to the natural leather hide. While the wool itself may respond well to gentle cleaning, the hide can be more sensitive to water, heat, unsuitable cleaning products and rough handling.
This is why you shouldn't assume that a washing method used successfully on one sheepskin will automatically be suitable for another.
If your rug's care instructions don't recommend washing, or you're unsure whether it can safely be immersed in water, stick to gentler maintenance or consider professional cleaning instead.
Before You Hand Wash Your Sheepskin Rug
Before filling the bath, it's worth checking whether your rug actually needs a full wash.
Sheepskin doesn't necessarily need frequent deep cleaning. If your rug is simply dusty, looking a little flat or has one small mark, shaking, brushing or targeted spot cleaning may be all that's required.
Before washing, consider the following:
- Check the care instructions. These should always take priority over general cleaning advice.
- Check the condition of the hide. Take extra care with an older rug or a hide that already feels dry, brittle, damaged or unusually stiff.
- Look for individual stains. These may be better treated separately rather than washing the entire rug.
- Consider the size of the rug. Sheepskin becomes surprisingly heavy when saturated with water, particularly larger rugs.
If you're dealing with a particular spill or mark, our guide to how to remove stains from a sheepskin rug will help you decide whether a full wash is really necessary.
What You'll Need to Hand Wash a Sheepskin Rug
If you've checked the care instructions and hand washing is suitable, gather everything you need before getting the rug wet.
You'll need:
- A clean bath or large basin
- Cool or lukewarm water
- A cleaning product suitable for wool and sheepskin
- Several clean, absorbent towels
- A clean, flat area where the rug can dry naturally
- A sheepskin brush for restoring the wool once dry
Avoid using whatever laundry detergent happens to be in the cupboard. Genuine sheepskin benefits from a much gentler approach.
Our Wool & Cashmere Wash is a useful addition to your sheepskin care kit when washing is appropriate, while our Sheepskin Rug Brush can help remove loose debris before washing and restore the wool afterwards.
How to Hand Wash a Sheepskin Rug Step by Step
Once you've established that your rug can be hand washed, take your time. Gentle handling throughout the process is much more important than aggressive cleaning.
1. Check the Care Instructions
It's worth checking again before you start.
Look for any specific instructions concerning washing, water temperature, cleaning products or drying. If these differ from general advice, follow the instructions supplied with your rug.
2. Shake Out Loose Dirt
Take the rug outside and give it a good shake.
This helps release dust, crumbs, hair and other loose debris before the rug gets wet. Removing as much dry dirt as possible means there's less for you to deal with during washing.
Depending on your rug's care instructions, gentle vacuuming with low suction or an appropriate upholstery attachment can also help remove surface debris. Avoid aggressive suction or rotating brush heads that could pull at the wool fibres.
3. Gently Brush the Wool and Check for Stains
Give the dry rug a gentle brush to loosen dirt and separate the wool fibres.
Don't pull aggressively at knots or matted areas.
This is also a good opportunity to inspect the rug for stains. If there is one isolated mark, you may decide that targeted cleaning is more appropriate than washing the entire rug.
Our guide to how to brush and fluff a sheepskin rug covers the brushing process in more detail.
4. Prepare Cool or Lukewarm Water
Fill a clean bath or large basin with enough cool or lukewarm water to wash the rug comfortably.
As a general guide, keep the water at 30°C or below, unless the care instructions for your particular rug specify otherwise.
Avoid hot water. Excessive temperature can affect natural wool and, importantly, the leather hide underneath.
Try to maintain a reasonably consistent water temperature throughout the washing and rinsing process rather than exposing the hide to sudden changes.
5. Add a Suitable Wool Cleaner
Add the recommended amount of a cleaning product specifically suitable for delicate wool and sheepskin, following the product instructions.
More detergent won't make the rug cleaner. Using too much can simply make it more difficult to rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Avoid biological detergents, bleach, whitening products, fabric softeners, harsh stain removers and strong household cleaning products.
Products described simply as "gentle" or "for delicates" aren't necessarily suitable for genuine sheepskin, so check the label before using them.
6. Gently Wash the Sheepskin
Place the rug into the water and gently move it through the cleaning solution.
The key word here is gently.
Allow the water and cleaning solution to work through the wool rather than trying to scrub the rug clean. Avoid vigorous rubbing, twisting or pulling at the fibres.
You should also avoid leaving the rug soaking for an unnecessarily long period. The objective is to clean it carefully, not leave the natural hide submerged for longer than required.
If an area needs additional attention, work carefully rather than aggressively scrubbing it.
7. Rinse Thoroughly
Drain the dirty water and rinse the rug using fresh cool or lukewarm water.
Gently move the rug through the clean water to help remove the remaining cleaning solution.
You may need to repeat this process until the water runs clear and no obvious cleaning product remains in the wool.
Again, avoid sudden changes in water temperature.
8. Remove Excess Water Without Wringing
Once rinsed, gently press as much water as possible from the rug while it is still supported.
Never wring or twist a wet sheepskin rug.
A saturated sheepskin is considerably heavier than a dry one, and twisting or pulling the wet hide can cause unnecessary stretching and distortion.
For a larger rug, support its weight evenly when lifting it rather than picking it up by one corner.
Once most of the water has drained away, lay the rug between clean, absorbent towels and gently press to draw out additional moisture.
Don't rub the wool with the towel.
9. Reshape and Leave the Rug to Dry Naturally
Lay the rug flat in its natural shape in a well-ventilated area and allow it to dry gradually.
Keep it away from:
- Radiators
- Heaters
- Hairdryers
- Tumble dryers
- Fires
- Strong direct sunlight
It can be tempting to speed up the drying process, particularly because a saturated sheepskin can take quite some time to dry. Resist that temptation.
Excessive heat can affect the leather hide and contribute to shrinkage, distortion or stiffness.
Gently reshaping the rug while it is still damp can also help it retain its natural form as it dries.
For more detailed advice, see our guide on how to safely dry a wet sheepskin rug.
10. Brush the Wool Once Completely Dry
Don't worry if the wool doesn't immediately look as fluffy as it did before washing.
Once the rug is completely dry, gently brushing the wool can help separate the fibres, release small tangles and restore its natural loft.
Work through the rug gradually rather than trying to pull through large areas at once.
If the wool remains particularly tangled or flattened, our guide to restoring a matted or flattened sheepskin rug explains how to work through it safely.
What Detergent Should You Use on a Sheepskin Rug?
One of the most important parts of hand washing sheepskin is choosing an appropriate cleaning product.
Standard laundry detergents are designed to remove oils, proteins and stains from conventional fabrics. Genuine sheepskin requires more specialised care because you're dealing with both natural wool and the leather hide underneath.
Choose a cleaner specifically suitable for wool or sheepskin and always follow its instructions.
Our Wool & Cashmere Wash is designed for caring for delicate natural wool products and makes a useful addition to a regular sheepskin care routine.
What Should You Avoid Using on Sheepskin?
Unless the individual product and your rug's care instructions specifically say otherwise, avoid:
- Biological or enzyme-based detergents
- Bleach and whitening products
- Fabric softener
- Strong stain removers
- General-purpose household cleaners
- Harsh soaps or detergents
- Cleaning products that aren't suitable for wool
If you're unsure whether a particular product is suitable, don't experiment on your rug. Check the product instructions or choose something specifically intended for natural wool.
Common Mistakes When Hand Washing Sheepskin
Even when a sheepskin is suitable for hand washing, problems can occur if it's treated too aggressively.
Using Water That's Too Hot
Hot water isn't necessary to clean sheepskin and can put unnecessary stress on both the wool and hide.
Stick to cool or lukewarm water and follow the individual care instructions.
Using the Wrong Cleaning Product
Strong detergents and household cleaning products can be too harsh for natural sheepskin.
A wool-safe cleaner is a much better choice.
Scrubbing the Wool
Aggressive scrubbing can encourage the wool fibres to tangle and matt together.
Gentle movement through the water is preferable to trying to scrub dirt out of the fibres.
Leaving the Rug Soaking Unnecessarily
Don't assume that leaving your sheepskin underwater for hours will make it cleaner.
Keep the washing process controlled and avoid prolonged soaking unless the care instructions specifically recommend it.
Wringing Out the Rug
Twisting a heavy, saturated sheepskin can stretch and distort the wet hide.
Press and blot excess water instead.
Trying to Dry the Rug Quickly
This is one of the most important mistakes to avoid.
A radiator or heater might dry the rug faster, but direct heat can cause the leather backing to become stiff or distorted. Allowing the rug to dry gradually is worth the extra time.
Why Can Sheepskin Become Hard After Washing?
If your sheepskin feels hard or stiff after washing, the problem is usually coming from the leather hide rather than the wool itself.
When sheepskin becomes wet, the natural hide changes as it absorbs and then releases moisture. Excessive heat, unsuitable cleaning products, aggressive washing or incorrect drying can all contribute to the hide losing some of its original flexibility.
This doesn't mean that every sheepskin will become hard when washed. Careful cleaning and slow, natural drying help reduce the risk.
If you're already dealing with this problem, read our guide to why a sheepskin rug can become hard or stiff for more detailed advice.
How to Keep Your Sheepskin Clean Between Washes
Full washing shouldn't need to form part of your regular sheepskin care routine.
A little maintenance can go a long way towards keeping the wool clean, soft and fluffy.
Regularly:
- Take the rug outside and shake out loose dirt.
- Gently brush the wool to prevent tangles and flattening.
- Deal with spills promptly before they have time to settle.
- Air the rug naturally when it needs freshening.
- Use appropriate sheepskin and wool care products when necessary.
Our range of sheepskin care products includes specialist brushes and wool-care products to help make ongoing maintenance easier.
The less dirt and staining you're allowing to build up, the less frequently you'll need to consider deeper cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put a sheepskin rug in the washing machine?
Whether a sheepskin can be machine washed depends on the individual rug and its care instructions. Don't assume that because a sheepskin can be hand washed, it can also go into a washing machine.
We've covered this question in more detail in our guide: Can You Put a Sheepskin Rug in the Washing Machine?
How do you dry a sheepskin rug after hand washing?
After washing, allow your sheepskin to dry naturally in a well-ventilated area away from radiators, heaters and strong direct sunlight. Avoid trying to speed up the process with direct heat, as this can affect the natural leather hide.
For the full drying process, including how to reshape your rug as it dries, read How to Safely Dry a Wet Sheepskin Rug.
Why has my sheepskin rug gone hard after washing?
If your rug feels stiff after washing, it's usually the leather hide rather than the wool causing the problem. Excessive heat, unsuitable cleaning products or the way the rug was washed and dried can all contribute.
If this has already happened to your rug, see Why Has My Sheepskin Rug Gone Hard or Stiff? for possible causes and what you can do next.
How do you make a sheepskin rug fluffy again after washing?
Once your rug is completely dry, gentle brushing can help separate the wool fibres and restore their natural loft. If the wool has become particularly tangled or flattened, it may need a little more attention.
See How to Brush and Fluff a Sheepskin Rug or, for more significant matting, How to Restore a Matted or Flattened Sheepskin Rug.
How do you remove a stain from a sheepskin rug?
A small stain doesn't necessarily mean the entire rug needs washing. In many cases, treating the affected area promptly is a better place to start.
Different stains require slightly different approaches, so we've covered this separately in How to Remove Stains From a Sheepskin Rug.
Can you dry clean a sheepskin rug instead of washing it?
Some sheepskin rugs can be professionally cleaned, but conventional dry cleaning isn't suitable for every sheepskin. Always check the individual care instructions and, where professional cleaning is required, choose someone experienced with genuine sheepskin, wool and leather.
Read Can You Dry Clean a Sheepskin Rug? for more guidance on when professional cleaning may be appropriate.
How should you care for a sheepskin rug between washes?
Regular shaking, gentle brushing, prompt treatment of spills and occasional airing can help keep a sheepskin fresh without frequent deep cleaning. Using appropriate wool and sheepskin care products can also help maintain the fibres over time.