A common issue that people who own a fur rug have is knowing how to clean a fur rug.
In this article, we will advise on a few different methods on how to clean a fur rug in the best way.
Real fur contains numerous self-cleaning characteristics that help it repel dirt and stains. However, this does not imply that it is fully dirt resistant. Lanolin is a material found in Icelandic sheepskin rugs that have long, hairy threads. It is effective at repelling all types of dirt and debris from the surface of the rug. Shake your sheepskin rug or any other white fur rug outside every now and then to keep it looking as good as new. Any dirt that has become embedded should just fall out.
Use a metal-bristled brush, such as a dog grooming tool or a sheepskin brush, to fluff up the coat’s fur. This restores the fur to its original, nonmatted form. It also aids in the removal of knots and stuck-on dirt from the fur. If the fur is of the short-haired sort, such as that found on a cowhide rug, a brush with strong plastic bristles will do the job well enough. If you want to keep your fur rug looking its best, brush it every few weeks or more frequently as needed.
Water And Cornstarch
It is possible to clean a fur rug with water. If you choose to launder your rug with standard household detergents, the lanolin in the sheepskin or the natural oils in other types of fur may be destroyed. Instead, spot clean the rug by sprinkling the affected area with water. Then sprinkle cornstarch over the water to absorb the excess moisture. Using your fingers, gently work the cornstarch into the spot, and then set the rug aside to dry. After that, simply brush away the cornstarch, and the material that had stuck to the sheepskin will be brushed away as well.
It is also possible to apply this cornstarch cleaning process over the full sheepskin on an as-needed basis to restore its natural beauty to the skin. Only tepid water should be used, and only as much water as is necessary to wet the fibers without saturating the skin underneath.
Removing Stains
When a spill or accident occurs on a fur rug, the sooner you intervene, the better the outcome. So to clean a fur rug with spills, immediately blot up any liquid spills using paper towels. Make sure not to rub the spill. Solid material should be lifted straight off. Take materials such as spaghetti and move it from the edges of the spill area toward its center. A plastic spoon comes in handy in this situation. The same plastic spoon can also be used to scrape away food and other debris that has become stuck in place.
Use a nonionic, non-alkaline cleanser that has been labeled as safe for fur and leather. This is to ensure that the rug’s underside is not damaged during the cleaning process. For spot cleaning, follow the guidelines on the bottle, which may include blotting the region with water after it has been cleaned.
Cleaning A Fur Rug
If you believe that to clean a fur rug it is necessary to wash the rug in its whole, proceed with caution. Using a machine or hand washing on an old rug that is losing patches of fur would only cause the rug to break down even further. It is best to wash your rug according to the care instructions that came with it. Instructions are probably available on the company’s website from where you purchased the rug.
If you can’t locate any particular instructions on how to clean a fur rug, shake it out and brush it. This will help untangle the hair and remove any loose dirt before you start. Put the rug in a tub with enough lukewarm water to completely submerge it. Then mix in a small amount of fur and leather soap solution according to package directions. Gently whisk the rug around in the water with your hands. If the rug is made of wool or sheepskin, avoid rubbing it because this could cause the strands to feel.
Drain and refill the tub with fresh water after a few minutes, swishing the rug around again to release any leftover soap residue. Remove all soapy residue from the rug, by repeating the process as necessary. Then roll the rug up and squeeze out any leftover water. If the rug appears to be heavily saturated with water, throw it in the washing machine. Put it on the final spin cycle to remove the remaining water.
Drying A Fur Rug
Place the rug on top of white towels on a flat surface, such as a table or workbench, and dry it away from direct sunshine. Allow for natural drying of the rug. Keep it away from space heaters and other heat sources that could damage the rug. While the rug is still somewhat damp, brush it with a wire-bristled fur or wool brush to remove any remaining dust. After it has been allowed to dry completely, brush it again.
How to Care for Faux Fur
The easiest technique to clean a faux-fur rug begins with carefully inspecting the care tag. This is because the materials used in each rug can differ from one another. Regular maintenance is comparable to that of real wool rugs. First, shake out the faux fur outdoors to remove debris. Then brush it using a soft-bristled brush rather than a metal-bristled brush. Blot up liquids in the same manner as you would with actual fur.
If the rug comes with care instructions, follow them to the letter. Alternately, you can wash it in the same manner as you would a real fur rug. Because faux fur fibers do not contain any natural oils that could be damaged by washing, a detergent designed for delicates is an excellent choice for faux fur. After rinsing the rug, roll it up over a tub or sink to catch any excess water. Then hang it on a clothesline or lay it flat on top of white towels to dry.
It is not recommended to dry a faux-fur rug in the dryer since it may shrink. Due to the possibility of flammability, keep it away from space heaters and other heat sources as well.
Now that we have discussed how to clean a fur rug, you may also want to know how to clean other types of rugs. Visit our homepage to view our articles on how to clean different types of rugs.