How to Soften Sheepskin Rug
Softening sheepskin rugs is an easy task. Of course, it’s best to do it before the rug becomes too dry and brittle, but you can still use this technique even if it is already soft enough. This post aims to show you how to soften sheepskin rug that are feeling stiffer than they used to be.
The recipe includes ingredients like white vinegar, dish soap, sugar, and water. Together, these ingredients will make an excellent solution that will get your rug back into shape in no time! In addition, you can use rug shampoo for spots on your rug or spills on other parts of the floor to clean them up easily without damaging the sheepskin surface. So let’s get started!
10 Reasons Why You Should Soften Sheepskin Rug:
- Sheepskin Rug is an excellent insulator that protects you from cold and hot floor surfaces.
- It feels very comfortable on your feet when it’s soft, just like a baby lamb, although it smells a bit weird sometimes.
- It can be used as a decorative accessory in interior design for homes, offices, and commercial spaces.
- Sheepskin Rug is a very durable product that can last for decades.
- It’s considered hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, fungus, mold, and mildew.
- Sheepskin Rug is made of 100% natural sheepskin that breathes; therefore, it’s cool in the summer and warm in winter.
- It’s straightforward to clean; you can either brush it with a stiff brush or vacuum it.
- It’s very comfortable for your dog and cat to lay on.
- Sheepskin Rug helps relieve pain in some cases, such as rheumatism, arthritis, and back pain.
- When you get cold, place the rug on your legs for a few minutes. The heat from your body will make it soft and warm.
10 Methods on How to Soften Sheepskin Rug:
Sheepskin rug is a natural product, so the sheepskin is very hard when it’s new. In this article, you can read some methods to soften your sheepskin rugs.
1. Use a Hair Dryer:
Start by blowing the hairdryer on the outside of the rug, on the woolen side. This will make the rug less rough and softer.Start by blowing the hairdryer on the outside of the rug, on the woolen side. This will make the rug less rough and softer.
2. Use a Steamer:
Hold a clothes steamer or a regular iron with a steam setting several inches from the rug’s surface and move it gently over the surface. As a result, the rug will become less rough and softer.
3. Use a Vacuum Cleaner:
Position your vacuum cleaner nozzle approximately 6″ away from the surface of the sheepskin and turn it on. Depending on the level of coarseness, you may need to repeat this process in the same area several times before the rug becomes softer to the touch.
4. Use a Rubber Broom:
Rubber brooms work by pushing water down instead of pulling it up, so you will get the best result when cleaning your sheepskin rug with this type of broom.
5. Use a Sweater Scrubber:
Get your scrubbing brush and make some soap suds, then rub it all over the rug. You can find more information about this method at Nylon Bytes. Tape the Rug to a Flat Surface
6. Use Woolite Rug Cleaner:
Pour Woolite Rug Cleaner on the stain, let sit for five minutes, and then use a scrub brush to work the cleaner into the rug gently. The water-based formula won’t damage delicate fibers, and it’s safe for all types of rugs.
7. Use Bleach:
To make a cleaning solution that will disinfect and kill mold, mix one tablespoon of liquid soap with ¼ cup of household bleach in one gallon of warm water. Soak a cloth or sponge in the solution, wring it out, and then gently wipe the affected area.
8. Use a Pot of Boiling Water:
Heating the pot of boiling water and placing your sheepskin rug into this hot water can make the wool softer. If it doesn’t seem softer enough, heat it again in the next round.
9. Use a Clothes Iron:
Put the lowest steam setting on your iron, then lay your rug over a flat surface. You will get better results if you lay down cardboard or other protective material between the ironing board and the area of the rug where you are working. Be careful not to let any part of your iron touch another part of your rug when you iron, as this will result in burned areas.
10. Use Washing Machine:
If your sheepskin is not too dirty, it’s best to use a washing machine to wash it. The process of cleaning by hand can damage the wool more easily than other methods.
Some Tips and Suggestions:
1. Give your sheepskin rug a good shake outside before using it, to stop the wool from falling off.
2. If you’re not planning on using your sheepskin for a while, store it in a clean bag away from dust and insects, which can eat holes into it.
3. Don’t use a vacuum to clean your sheepskin to prevent further hair loss or damage.
4. If you have full skin, hang it with the fur facing out in a cool, dry place where it won’t be stepped on or sat on.
5. If your sheepskin is in good condition, there’s no need to brush or wash it. However, if you want to, you can brush it with a soft brush or hand-wash it in lukewarm water.
6. To give your sheepskin an even softer appearance, try sprinkling cosmetic talc on it and shake off the excess powder before use.
7. If your sheepskin is slightly damp, give it a couple of hours in front of the fire or near a radiator before using it.
8. If you spill something on your sheepskin rug, remove excess liquid with a cloth as soon as possible, then wipe over the spot with a dry cloth until no trace remains.
Things to Consider When Softening Sheepskin Rug:
Raw sheepskin can be prickly, scratchy, and a bit smelly. However, after a few simple things, you can have a soft and comfortable rug that makes any room cozier.
1) Amount of Time
Before you even start, know that it will take a few days to soften the skin. But once you have started the process, be consistent and persistent until your sheepskin is as soft as you want it to be. Then, once every day or so, add another 15-20 minutes of the time of rubbing down your skin with the wool side of a clean towel.
2) Temperature
When washing your sheepskin, use lukewarm or slightly warm water. If you use cold water, it will make the skin’s natural oils clump together, making it difficult to absorb into the skin. If at all possible, try to let the skin air dry.
3) Wool Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets can be an effective way to get your rug super soft and fluffy, but only if you use them every time you dry it. If you skip a day or two, the benefits will wear off because the wool has already absorbed all of the oils from the dryer sheet. If you want to put some real elbow grease into softening your sheepskin, grab some wool dryer sheets and start scrubbing.
4) Cleaning Your Sheepskins Regularly
Once your new rug is nice and fluffy, keep up the excellent work by maintaining it regularly. Taking care of sheepskin includes cleaning, brushing, and conditioning. Cleaning the rug regularly is easy; simply vacuum it or dust mop. Brushing is essential because it helps to separate the wool fibers, preventing them from bunching together. Finally, conditioning is just lovely for the skin. You can use a leather conditioner on the skin to keep it healthy and soft.
5) Wrinkles
When washing your sheepskin, use lukewarm or slightly warm water. If you use cold water, it will make the skin’s natural oils clump together, making it difficult to absorb into the skin. If at all possible, try to let the skin air dry.
Can You Soak a Sheepskin Rug?
You can soak a sheepskin rug if you want to, but it will not effectively soften the skin. Instead, it may have the opposite effect because once a sheepskin dries from soaking, it tends to get stiffer and less soft.
Soaking a sheepskin rug will not restore its original softness, and it will have to be dry-cleaned afterward, which is extremely expensive. It’s much better to use a brush, a rag, or a vacuum cleaner on your sheepskin to clean it and soften it the natural way. If you want to know more about how to soften sheepskin rug then consider reading this full blog post.
Can You Brush a Sheepskin Rug?
Yes, you can brush your sheepskin rug, which will help it feel softer and look cleaner. If you want to try brushing it yourself, we suggest using a boar bristle brush. Alternatively, you can take your sheepskin to a professional cleaner and have them do it for you.
You Can Check It Out toWeave a Rug Without a Loom
You may need to do two or three brushing sessions to get the dirt out completely and achieve maximum softness. For example, after bringing your sheepskin rug home from a trip abroad, it will be filled with dirt and sand that will not brush out easily. This is why you may need to have several sessions to get the rug back up to its previous level of softness.
Conclusion:
The best way to soften a sheepskin rug is by using the following steps. First, use your vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt or debris from the surface of the rug. Next, take out an electric blanket and plug it in so that you can set it on low heat.
Put this over the entire rug for about half an hour before switching off both blankets and unplugging them. You should now be able to enjoy softening your woolen fabric! We hope this blog post was helpful to give you guidance on how to soften sheepskin rugs if you have any questions feel free to comment below!
