How to Clean a Faux Sheepskin Rug

A faux sheepskin rug is a great way to upgrade your room. The plush material adds a final touch to your chic interior design to make it ready for photos and guests. You can get a faux rug in white or opt for dyed sheepskin to bring color and patterns to your interior design.

The synthetic material of faux sheepskin products lasts longer and withstands the UV rays from direct sunlight while still providing the appearance of natural sheepskin. Over time, you may notice matting and staining of the material. Fortunately, these rugs are fairly easy to clean and keep them looking like new. A dry cleaner isn't necessary, and some are even washing-machine safe, which gives you different cleaning methods to consider.

Check the tag for rug care instructions and warnings. All you need are gentle soap and warm water and the time to let your rug fully dry before you put it back down.

Before you wash your rug, take your rug outdoors and give it a good shake to remove any dirt that may be trapped in the fibers of the rug. You can vacuum your rug if necessary, although the sheepskin may get knotted or tangled. Make sure you don't run the vacuum cleaner against the grain if you opt for this method.

Hand washing is the safest option for cleaning your faux sheepskin rug without the risk of damage. If you have a tub or sink that is large enough for the rug, you can use that. Alternatively, you can wash your rug in the bathtub. Fill the tub with lukewarm water or cold water and gentle soap. Castile soap is an effective, chemical-free option, but laundry soap will work as a sheepskin detergent as well.

If you decide to wash your rug in the washing machine, make sure that your washer is large enough to hold the entire rug. If you have a larger rug, you may need to go to a laundromat. Use cold water and a gentle detergent. A wool detergent, such as Woolite, is a good option.

Put the rug in soapy water and gently swish it around. This agitating motion of the washing process helps the soapy water to fully penetrate the rug. Take care if you need to scrub the rug to address a stain because this can cause matting of the fibers. Let the rug soak in soapy water for at least 10 minutes. If your rug is incredibly soiled, you can leave it for up to 30 minutes.

If you are using a washing machine, use the gentle cycle. The less agitation when you wash the rug, the less chance that the fibers will get tangled.

Remove the rug from the soapy water and rinse it in warm water until the water runs clean. Make sure that no soap remains trapped in the fibers of the rug. Roll the rug and squeeze out any extra water to finish the sheepskin rug cleaning process. It is not recommended that you wring out the rug, as this may damage the fibers.

The drying process for your faux sheepskin is simple. After you have removed excess water, lay out the rug on a drying rack or a flat surface to dry. Wait until it is fully dry and check the fibers to make sure no dampness remains. Don't put your rug in the dryer or expose it to direct heat.

A dry, freshly washed rug may be clean, but it won't look very good. Don't worry; there is one step left to make your rug look like new and that is to brush the rug. You can get a sheepskin brush or use a wire brush as you would use on your pets. Make sure to get a clean brush, as you don't want to get pet hair on your clean rug.

Gently brush out and fluff all of the fibers on the faux pelt. Moving forward, regular brushing with a good brush can refresh your rug between washings.

If you get a small stain on the rug but don't want to wash the whole thing, you can simply spot clean it. Soak up any excess liquid with a paper towel. Apply a gentle detergent to a clean cloth and gently clean the stain. Then, with a clean, damp cloth, wipe the area to remove the soap. Allow the rug to dry and brush out the fibers to fluff the faux sheepskin.