Can You Dry Clean a Real Sheepskin Rug? Plus Cleaning Costs & DIY Tips

If you’ve ever buried your toes in a fluffy, soft real sheepskin rug, you know it’s a small piece of heaven. These rugs are the epitome of luxury—soft, warm, and effortlessly fashionable. The worst part is that cleaning them is more complicated than simply throwing them in the laundry like your favorite throw blanket.

So…

👉 Can a real sheepskin rug be dry cleaned?
👉 How much does it cost to get it cleaned by a professional?
👉 Can you do it yourself and save money, or is it worth the money?

With no nonsense (well, save the literal type), let’s get right to the point and discuss all you need to know about taking care of your cherished sheepskin rug.


🐑 Is It Possible to Dry Clean an Actual Sheepskin Rug?

Yes, but you probably shouldn’t, is the short answer.

While some dry cleaners will accept sheepskin rugs, traditional dry cleaning techniques might harm the sheepskin’s natural oils, leaving your rug dry, stiff, or even deformed.


Why Sheepskin Rugs Are Not the Best Candidates for Dry Cleaning

What occurs is as follows:

❠️ Risk ❓ The Reason It’s an Issue
Natural lanolin loss Your sheepskin stays supple and silky because of lanolin. It is stripped by dry cleaning.
Exposure to chemicals Natural skins cannot withstand the harshness of many dry cleaning agents.
Curling or shrinking The backing may get deformed by excessive heat or dampness.
Fading color Sheepskins that are colored or white may become less vibrant in color.

 

What Is the Best Route, Then?

Generally speaking, hand washing or hiring a professional cleaner with experience in natural sheepskin is preferable to dry cleaning.

There will be more on that soon. 😉


💸 How Much Does Cleaning a Sheepskin Rug Cost?

The answer is, as with most things in life: it depends.


🧾 Factors Influencing the Price:

  • Rug size (big throw or full pelt versus little accent)

  • Level of filth or discoloration

  • Whether it’s natural or colored

  • Where you are

  • Cleaning technique


💲 General Cost Analysis

Assistance Type Price Range (USD) Remarks
Expert Cleaning Services $40 to $100+ Reliable for superior sheepskin care. Size often matters.
Dry Cleaning $30 to $80 Not always advised. Call first to ask if they handle natural hides.
Homemade Cleaning Materials $10 to $30 Time, wool detergent, a sponge or brush are required.

 

💡 Pro tip: Do your research before hiring a cleaner because many upholstery or rug cleaning companies don’t specialize in “woolskin” or “sheepskin.”


🧽 How to Do It Yourself: Deep Cleaning a Sheepskin Rug

Let’s face it—if you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about cleaning it yourself.

Good news: Indeed, you are capable of doing it!


🔧 Things You’ll Need:

  • Wool-specific detergent (such as Woolskin or Eucalan)

  • A bucket of lukewarm or cold water

  • A gentle cloth or sponge

  • Sheepskin brush (in an emergency, a dog slicker brush will do!)

  • A towel

  • Clean floor area or a drying rack


🪜 Detailed Guide: Thorough Cleaning at Home

  1. Brush and Shake

    • To get rid of dirt and particles, take your rug outside and shake it vigorously.

    • To get rid of tangles and fluff it up, use a sheepskin or slicker brush.

  2. First, Spot Clean

    • Have coffee or wine? Blot gently with a damp sponge dipped in weak wool detergent. Avoid rubbing!

  3. Time for Hand Washing

    • Pour lukewarm—not boiling—water into a large basin or bathtub.

    • A tiny bit of wool detergent should be added.

    • Swish the rug gently after submerging it. Don’t wring!

  4. Cleanse

    • To get rid of any remaining soap, drain and then refill with fresh water. As necessary, repeat.

  5. Blot Dry

    • To get rid of extra moisture, gently press the rug between two towels.

  6. Drying

    • Lay flat to dry, ideally inside or in a shaded area.

    • Never use a tumble dryer and stay out of direct sunshine!

    • While drying, brush occasionally to keep the suppleness.


✅ Dos and ❌ Don’ts for DIY

✅ DO:

  • Use lukewarm or cold water

  • Use a brush after it’s partially dry

  • Think of it as a spa day, not a scrub-down

❌ DO NOT:

  • Apply a standard detergent

  • Soak for too long (30 minutes at most)

  • Put it in the dryer (nope nope nope)

  • Put it near heaters or the sun


🧑‍🔧 Does Hiring a Professional Cleaner Make Sense?

Let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks.


✔️ Why Hiring a Professional Cleaner Could Be a Wise Choice

  • Experts are intimately familiar with sheepskin

  • They employ temperature-controlled procedures and cleansers safe for wool

  • Perfect for large rugs, odors, or stains

  • Reduces tension, mess, and time


❌ When You Could Ignore It
  • You have light dirt or a tiny rug

  • You like doing DIY tasks

  • You have a limited budget


📊 Fast Comparison Tool

Feature Professional DIY
Cost Medium–High Low
Time Typically 3–7 days 1–2 days
Skill Needed None Moderate
Risk of Damage Low Medium
Best For Large rugs, dyed pelts, set-in stains Small messes

 

Extra Advice to Maintain the Beautiful Look of Your Sheepskin

Want more time between cleanings? This advice will help your rug stay fluffy for longer:


🧺 Checklist for Routine Maintenance

  • ✅ Give it a shake every week

  • ✅ Use a brush attachment when vacuuming—never use beater bars!

  • ✅ Keep it away from moisture and direct sunlight

  • ✅ Regular brushing helps to fluff and untangle it

  • ✅ Clean up spills right away


🌿 A Natural Way to Freshen

After applying a small amount of baking soda to the rug, vacuum it up after 15 to 30 minutes.
Aids in moisture and odor!


🏁 The Last Word: Which Is Best for Your Rug?

So, can a sheepskin rug be dry cleaned?

Yes, in theory. Must you? Most likely not.
Either is your best option:

  • Performing a little do-it-yourself deep cleaning at home, or

  • Hiring a sheepskin cleaning expert for further peace of mind.

Ultimately, your rug requires care because it is a natural material. It will remain soft, comfortable, and lovely for many years if you take good care of it.


📝 A Brief Review (Deserving of a Bookmark)

Question A Brief Response
Can a sheepskin rug be dry cleaned? Yes, but it might harm it, so it’s not ideal.
The best way to clean? Using pro cleaning or wool detergent for hand washing.
What is the price of professional cleaning? ~$40 to $100, depending on the location and size of the rug.
Can I do the cleaning myself? Definitely, given enough time and attention.
Is hiring a pro cleaner worthwhile? Yes, particularly for delicate, large, or unclean rugs.

 

Do you own a beautiful sheepskin rug?

Post your cleaning before and after tales in the comments section!
If this was useful to you, please share it 💬. Your friends may appreciate it the next time they need some rug care.

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