You may be wondering how to clean a cowhide rug without damaging it. The good news is there are several quick and easy ways to do this. These include; vacuuming the rug, shaking the rug out, spot cleaning the rug and many other methods. There are also various ways that you can remove grease, oil and food stains from cowhide rugs, as well as clean up liquids and spillages effectively. Read on to discover the 12 easy ways to clean a cowhide rug at home without causing any damage to it.
Cowhide rugs are made of the complete natural skin and hair of a cow. The complete intact piece of hair and skin is called cowhide. The cowhide is turned into a usable and desirable piece of home décor through a process called tanning.
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How To Clean A Cowhide Rug – Why Have A Cowhide Rug?
Lots of people have cowhide rugs and they’ve become very common in the past 15 years. Let’s take a look at the main reasons people choose to have a cowhide rug in their homes or office spaces.
Cowhide Rugs Are Naturally Stylish
Cowhide rugs are a popular choice as home décor accessories and soft furnishing because of how stylish and elegant they are. Cowhide rugs come in a variety of colours and tones, including bright whites, soft browns, chocolate browns and sparkling blacks. As a result of this, they can add warmth, character and vibrancy to any types of rooms in a house.
Cowhide Rugs Are Long Lasting
Not only are cowhide rugs able to enhance the look and feel of any room, they are also very long lasting and durable. If you care for your cowhide rug properly, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last a lifetime, or 20 years at the very least. This is one of the main benefits of owning a cowhide rug.
Cowhide Rugs Are Hypoallergenic
Cowhide rugs contain very few allergy producing substances known as allergens. Allergens provoke conditions like asthma or blocked sinuses. In other words, cowhide rugs are hypo-allergenic, and they do not have any fragrance. This makes them perfect for families with allergies or sensitive skin conditions.
How To Clean A Cowhide Rug At Home – Caring For Your Cowhide Rug
As mentioned, cowhide rugs are hardwearing and last a very long time if cared for properly. In order to prolong the life of your rug there is some basic rug care that you should practice.
Put Cowhide Rugs In A Home Environment
In general, it’s best to use cowhide rugs in a home or domestic environment. It’s not that they can’t be used in commercial environments, but they will likely become more worn more quickly.
Also, depending on the commercial environment, they may be subject to stains and dirt not typically found in home environments, making cleaning them more challenging.
Don’t Use A Washing Machine
Don’t put your cowhide rug in a washing machine, and don’t use dry cleaning. Putting your rug in a washing machine, or putting through dry cleaning will damage it beyond recovery and repair.
Cowhide Rugs Are Better Placed On Smooth Flooring
Cowhide rugs may move or slide around if placed on a carpet, but they do stay in place firmly if placed on wood or tiles. This is because the underside of a cowhide rug is leather, therefore it has natural grip on smooth surfaces like ceramic and wood.
Don’t Leave Your Rug Folded For A Long Time
Folding a cowhide rug for a short time is fine. But beware of leaving it folded for an extended period of time. This is because the rug can develop engrained creases that may not naturally disappear after being laid flat for a few days.
Now we’ve covered the basics of how to care for your cowhide rug, let’s get down to the expert detail.
How To Clean A Cowhide Rug Without Damaging It – 12 Easy Ways: Full Expert Guide
Taking time to read through these methods and tips could be difference between having the enjoyment of a cowhide rug for 10 years, or 20 years. Below is the ultimate guide to cleaning your cowhide rug without causing any damage to it. If you have a sheepskin rug, you can read this article to learn how to clean a sheepskin rug at home.
1. Clean The Rug At Regular Intervals
It seems so obvious, but cleaning your cowhide rug at regular intervals will help to retain its quality, beauty and usability. Regular cleaning means there’ll be no build up of grime or dirt that could shorten the lifespan of your rug.
2. Shake The Rug Out
Give your rug a good shake! Take your cowhide rug outside and shake it repeatedly. By giving the rug some good firm shakes this should dislodge any small solid pieces of debris that were deeper in the rug.
If you have a particularly large rug then you can hang it over a fence or railing and hit it with a rug beater or a broom stick. Don’t forget to work over both sides of the rug using the rug beater.
Shake or beat the rug until all pieces of debris have been removed.
3. Vacuum Clean The Rug
Another simple but effective method is to vacuum clean the rug. Make the vacuum cleaning of the rug part of your normal regular cleaning.
It’s perfectly safe to vacuum cowhide rugs in the same typical way that other rugs can be vacuumed. Regularly vacuuming the rug will ensure grime and dirt is not built up on the rug.
However, if your vacuum cleaner is particularly powerful then use the controls on the vacuum to reduce the suction power while cleaning the rug. This is because a very powerful suction could cause damage to the rug.
It may be helpful to use the hose attachment to vacuum the rug, in order to get a more penetrating level of cleaning.
Keep in mind to always vacuum in the direction of the hair, not against it. And if you have spinning brushes on your vacuum, ensure they’re not spinning when cleaning the rug.
4. Brush The Rug
You can use a brush or broom with hard plastic bristles to brush your rug. Brushing your cowhide rug will easily remove solid debris and materials from the rug.
Another advantage to brushing a cowhide rug is that it keeps the hair fluffy, light and soft. This in turn helps to make it easier to remove sand, grime and other solid particles from the rug when vacuuming it.
Depending on the size of the rug, it could take a while to give it a good thorough brush. So if you have a large rug then set aside some time specifically to brush it.
And again, you should always brush a rug in the direction of the hair, not against it.
5. Shift The Position Of The Rug
If your cowhide rug is in a high traffic area, like an entryway or a living room, it will inevitably be subject to gradual wear and tear after some time. To combat this, you can simply shift the position of the rug or rotate it.
By rotating the rug regularly, you’ll ensure that any wear and tear is evenly distributed. You can even move the rug to a different location within the home for period of time to give some areas of the rug a complete rest.
By doing this, you’ll extend the rug’s useful life. Not only that, you’ll avoid having a rug that’s unevenly worn which could detract from the room’s décor and aesthetics as a result.
6. Shampoo The Rug
Shampooing your cowhide rug is an effective way to remove dirt and stains from it. It makes sense after all, since the cowhide rug is hair.
Use A Mild Shampoo
Ensure the shampoo is free from harsh chemicals. Don’t use any alkaline shampoos. It’s a good idea to use a mild baby shampoo or a mild organic shampoo.
Creating The Shampoo Mixture And Cleaning The Rug
- Fill a plastic container with warm water and pour in some shampoo. Stir it until you have a soapy mixture.
- Start with a relatively weak shampoo mixture, and only add more shampoo to the mixture if needed.
- Saturate a clean cloth in the shampoo liquid, wring it out so it is damp, instead of soaking wet.
- Use the damp cloth to wipe repeatedly over the stain or dirt on the rug.
- When shampooing your rug, you can wipe and rub in any direction. This is different to vacuuming and brushing where you must brush in the same direction as the hair.
- Continue wiping until the stain is gone.
7. Steam Clean The Rug
Another great method of cleaning your rug is steam cleaning. Steam cleaning your cowhide rug is great as a deep cleaning method, and it’s safe and easy to do.
How To Steam Clean The Rug
- Firstly, be sure to vacuum the rug before steam cleaning. This is to make sure any loose debris and particles are removed from the rug. Doing this will mean the steam cleaning is more effective.
- Allow the steam cleaner to heat up to the desired operating temperature.
- Steam clean the rug in the direction of the hairs. Never steam clean against the grain of the hairs.
- Be mindful not to get the rug too saturated with water.
8. How To Clean Liquid Stains And Spillages From A Cowhide Rug
If you have a cowhide for any length of time, it’s basically a certainty that at some point there’ll be a spillage on the rug. This could be tea, coffee, red wine, fruit juice, dog or cat urine, vomit and other liquids. But there’s no need to be panic, you can get your rug clean by following the tips below.
Clean The Spillage Immediately
Act fast and don’t wait. It’s true that cowhide rugs are resistant to staining, but you won’t be helping yourself by putting off attending to the spillage.
Remove Any Dried Liquid
It may be the case that parts of the liquid spill have dried and become hardened. If this is the case, then use the blunt end of a butter knife, or a putty knife to scrape the dried liquid off.
Be sure to only scrape in the direction of the rug hair, and don’t scrape with too much force.
Blot The Liquid With A Damp Cloth
- Use a kitchen towel, clean cloth or sponge to blot the spill.
- Don’t rub the cloth into the spillage as this may make it worse. Instead dab at the spillage
- Blot the spillage until cloth has absorbed as much of the liquid as possible, you will probably see much of the stain removed.
- If there is so much liquid that it’s too much to absorb for a single cloth, swap the cloth for a fresh one.
Make A Shampoo Based Solution
- Fill a plastic container with warm water and pour in some shampoo. Stir it until you have a soapy mixture.
- Saturate a clean cloth or sponge in the shampoo liquid. wring it out so it is damp, instead of soaking wet.
- Use the damp cloth to wipe repeatedly over the stain until it’s removed.
Rinse The Shampoo Off
- Take clean cloth or sponge and run it under clean water to dampen it.
- Use the sponge to wipe off the left behind shampoo residue from the rug.
9. How To Clean And Remove Food Stains From A Cowhide Rug
It’s likely you’ll experience solids and foods being accidentally dropped onto your rug. It could be, lasagne, breakfast cereal, french fries, or any number of foods. Follow the guide below to see how easy it is to get rid of food stains.
Scrape Away The Food Or Solids
- The first action you should take is to scrape away the dried food.
- Use the blunt end of a butter knife, or use a putty knife.
- Ensure you only scrape in the direction of the rug hair.
Brush Away The Food
- This similar to scraping, but instead use a hard plastic bristle brush or broom.
- be sure to only scrape in the direction of the rug fibers.
Use Vinegar To Remove Any Stain Left Behind By The Food
- After you’ve finished scraping away the debris, there may be a stain left behind.
- Create a mixture of non-alkaline soap or water, mixed together white vinegar.
- Moisten a clean cloth with the vinegar based mixture, and rub the affected area gently.
- Once the stain is gone, simply wipe down the affected area with a dry cloth.
10. How To Clean And Remove Grease From A Cowhide Rug
It may seem like a big pian to get grease stains on your cowhide rug. These types of stains can include butter, lipstick and tar. Not to worry, follow the tips below to restore your rug back to a stain free home accessory.
Use Eucalyptus Oil To Remove The Stain
Eucalyptus oil acts as a very effective solvent for grease stains. This means it helps to break down grease and makes it easier to remove it.
- Apply a small amount of eucalyptus oil to a clean dry cloth.
- Place the cloth on the affected area and gently push the eucalyptus oil into the affected area.
- Be sure to only apply a small amount of the oil, and only apply it to the affected area.
- You can use a light gentle rubbing motion to ensure the oil penetrates into the stain.
Use A Damp Sponge After Applying Eucalyptus Oil
- After you’ve applied the oil, you can use a damp sponge to finish cleaning.
- Use a damp clean sponge or cloth to gently rub and wipe at the stain.
- Continue the process until the stain is gone.
More Tips On How To Clean A Cowhide Rug And Caring For Your Rug
If you thought it was just the 10 expert tips on offer, think again. Read on to learn even more ways to clean and care for your cowhide rug without damaging it.
11. How Can You Get Dog And Cat Urine Out From A Cowhide Rug?
The process to getting dog pee and cat pee out of a cowhide rug is a simple one. Firstly, act immediately and attend to the issue as soon as your pet urinates on the rug.
Use a clean cloth to blot the urine. Be sure that you don’t rub the cloth into the urine, instead, dab at it. Once you’ve used the cloth(s) to absorb as much of the urine as possible, go ahead and shampoo the carpet.
Create a mixture of warm water and a mild shampoo. Ideally, use baby shampoo or organic shampoo.
Make A Shampoo Based Solution
- Create a mixture of warm water and a mild shampoo.
- Ensure the shampoo is mild. Ideally, use baby shampoo or organic shampoo.
- Stir it until you have a soapy mixture.
- Saturate a clean cloth or sponge in the shampoo liquid. wring it out so it is damp, instead of soaking wet.
- Use the damp cloth to wipe repeatedly over the dog or cat pee until it’s removed.
Rinse The Shampoo Off
- Take clean cloth or sponge and run it under clean water to dampen it.
- Use the sponge to wipe off the left behind shampoo residue from the rug.
What About Any Dog Pee Or Cat Pee Odor Left Behind?
Typically, you don’t need to worry about any odors, as the shampoo process will get rid of the urine smell. However, you can follow up with a vinegar mixture to make double sure that no pet urine smell remains.
- Create a mixture of non-alkaline soap or water, mixed together white vinegar.
- Moisten a clean cloth with the vinegar based mixture, and rub the affected pet urine area gently.
- Leave the rug to dry.
Can You Wash A Cowhide Rug?
Yes, you can wash a cowhide rug, but you must take care with how you wash it. You should not put a cowhide rug into a washing machine, nor should you dry clean it. Doing either of those two things will damage the rug. Instead, you should use other methods to clean your cowhide rug. These include vacuuming the rug, shampooing the rug, steam cleaning the rug and brushing the rug, among other methods. All of these methods and more have been explained in detail in this article.
Can A Cowhide Rug Get Wet?
You can get a cowhide rug wet, however it’s typically a bad idea and not recommended. Completely saturating the rug in water or immersing your rug in water can cause the rug to become deformed in shape, and reduce the lifespan of the rug. Further, you should never put your cowhide rug in a washing machine.
If you need to clean your rug, there are many effective methods that don’t require getting the rug completely wet. These include vacuuming the rug, shampooing the rug, steam cleaning the rug and brushing the rug, among other methods. All of these methods and more have been explained in detail in this article.
Can Cowhide Rugs Be Vacuumed?
Yes, cowhide rugs can be vacuumed. Some people may not realize this, but it’s perfectly safe to vacuum a cowhide rug in the same way that other rugs can be vacuumed. Keep in mind to always vacuum in the direction of the rug hair, not against it. Regularly vacuuming your rug will ensure dust and dirt doesn’t get the chance to build up on the rug.
It’s important to note that if you have a particularly powerful vacuum cleaner, then use the controls on the vacuum to reduce the suction power while cleaning the rug. This is because a very powerful suction could cause damage to the rug.
It may be helpful to use the hose attachment to vacuum the rug, in order to get a more penetrating level of cleaning. Note that if you have spinning brushes on your vacuum, ensure they’re not spinning when cleaning the rug.
12. How To Spot Clean A Cowhide Rug
If there are a few different areas of your cowhide rug that need cleaning, then spot cleaning is an effective way to do this.
Materials You Need
- Mild shampoo. Ensure the shampoo is free from harsh chemicals. Don’t use any alkaline shampoos. It’s a good idea to use a mild baby shampoo or a mild organic shampoo.
- Clean cloth or sponge. Ideally it should be white so you can see if all the substance has been removed.
- Tool to scrape any solid debris or dried particles. This could be a spoon or the blunt end of a butter knife, or something similar.
Remove Any Sold Debris And Particles
- Use the scraper tool to scrape away any solid particles or dried hardened liquid.
- Use the cloth or sponge to blot the liquid. You’re aiming to remove all excess liquid and moisture.
Creating The Shampoo Mixture And Spot Cleaning The Rug
- Fill a plastic container with warm water and pour in some shampoo. Stir it until you have a soapy mixture.
- Start with a relatively weak shampoo mixture, and only add more shampoo to the mixture if needed.
- Saturate a clean cloth in the shampoo liquid, wring it out so it is damp, instead of soaking wet.
- Use the damp cloth to wipe repeatedly over the soiled area on the rug.
Rinse The Shampoo Off
- Take clean cloth or sponge and run it under clean water to dampen it.
- Use the sponge to wipe off the left behind shampoo residue from the rug.
How To Dry Your Cowhide Rug
You can dry your rug outdoors after you’ve cleaned it. Ensure that the underside of the rug is facing the sun, not the hair. If you’re not able to dry the rug outdoors for any reason, then it’s a good idea to elevate the damp section from the floor. You can do this be using a box or some other object. By elevating the damp areas of the rug you’ll enable better air to circulation, and this will in turn dry the rug faster.
How To Store A Cowhide Rug
If you need to put your cowhide rug away sometimes, avoid folding it or handling it roughly. If leave your rug folded for an extended period of time, it can develop engrained creases. These types of ingrained creases may not naturally disappear after the rug has been laid flat for a few days.
Instead, you should roll up your rug carefully, and store it in a cool dry place. No matter where you store the rug, ensure there will be no direct sunlight on the rug. Do not store the rug in plastic, as this could cause damage to the rug. Ideally, you should store the rug in a box.
How To Stop A Cowhide Rug From Curling
It’s not uncommon for a cowhide rug to begin curling at the sides and corners of the rug. Below we’ll look at the reasons for the cowhide rug to curl and how to prevent it from happening.
Why Does A Cowhide Rug Curl At The Corners?
Cowhide rugs curl because the rug is thickest in the middle area, and gets thinner towards the edges and corners of the rug.
This type of thickness and thinness distribution can’t be avoided in cowhide rugs, but there are some easy ways to stop the rug from curling.
Change Location Of The Rug To Reduce Heat Exposure
One reason that a cowhide rug might start curling is due to heat exposure. If the rug is kept in a room or part of the house that can become quite hot and humid then that may cause the rug to curl. For example, a rug kept in a kitchen or a sunroom is more likely to curl than a rug kept in an entryway.
If your rug is in such a location, then you could simply place the rug in a cooler location. This should result in the rug uncurling.
Sprinkle Water On The Rug Corners
You could sprinkle water on the edges of the rug and then brush the rug until the curling has gone. To do this, you should use a brush with hard plastic bristles. Be sure to only brush the rug in the direction of the rug fibers, not against it.
If that doesn’t quite resolve the issue, then you could place some objects on the corners of the rug. Placing objects on the corners of the rug for a couple of days, such as books, small weights, or other items should see the rug regain its shape again.
What If I’ve Tried Everything And Still Can’t Remove The Stain From My Cowhide Rug?
Make sure you try all the different methods explained in this guide. If you do, there’s a very high chance that you’ll be able to remove all stains and blemishes from your rug and restore it back to its natural beauty.
However, if you’ve tried all the different methods to clean your cowhide rug, and you still can’t get rid of the stains and blemishes, then you could simply buy a new rug.
There are plenty of stores and outlets that sell high quality cowhide rugs at affordable prices.
Final Summary On How To Clean A Cowhide Rug Without Damaging It
If you’ve read through this guide, you’ll now be able to answer the question; how to clean a cowhide rug at home without damaging it. You’ll see there are numerous ways that you can clean your cowhide rug effectively while avoiding any scuffs or marks or other damage.
Note that the different expert methods are quick, low cost, and something that anyone can do.
Take note of the general care and maintenance tips too. Following these tips will help to keep your cowhide rug looking beautiful and ensure you get several years of use and enjoyment from it.