If you've noticed your favorite rug looking a little flat or dusty, you're likely wondering how do you wash a sheepskin without turning it into a stiff, matted mess. It's one of those items that feels so luxurious when you first get it, but the thought of cleaning it can be pretty intimidating. Sheepskin is a natural material, and unlike a synthetic throw pillow, you can't just toss it in a hot wash and hope for the best.
The good news is that these things are surprisingly resilient if you treat them right. You don't necessarily have to run to a professional cleaner every time there's a spill. With a bit of patience and the right soap, you can get it looking fluffy and fresh again right at home. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to handle the process safely.
Determine if it actually needs a full bath
Before you commit to a full soak, take a good look at the piece. Does it actually need to be submerged? Most of the time, a sheepskin just needs a bit of a refresh rather than a deep clean. Sheepskin fibers have a natural coating of lanolin, which actually helps repel dirt and spills. If you wash it too often, you strip that lanolin away, and the wool starts to feel brittle.
If there's just a small coffee stain or a bit of mud from a pet, try spot cleaning first. Use a damp cloth with a tiny bit of wool-safe detergent and gently dab the area. You can also give the rug a vigorous shake outside or use a vacuum with a plain suction attachment (avoid those rotating beater brushes, as they'll tear the fibers out). Often, a good shake and a solid brushing with a metal-toothed sheepskin brush are all it takes to make it look brand new.
Choosing the right detergent is non-negotiable
If spot cleaning won't cut it and you've decided a full wash is necessary, the most important thing is the soap you use. This is where most people go wrong. You absolutely cannot use regular laundry detergent. Most standard soaps are slightly alkaline or contain enzymes designed to break down organic matter—which is exactly what sheepskin is. Using the wrong soap will dry out the leather backing and make the wool feel like straw.
You need a pH-neutral detergent specifically formulated for sheepskin or wool. These soaps often contain liquid lanolin, which helps replenish the natural oils in the hide during the wash. If you can't find a specific sheepskin wash, a very mild, non-biological wool detergent is your next best bet. Whatever you do, stay far away from bleach or fabric softeners.
The hand-washing method
If your sheepskin is small enough to fit in a bathtub or a large laundry sink, hand washing is usually the safest route. It gives you the most control and subjects the leather backing to the least amount of stress.
Start by filling the tub with cool or lukewarm water. Never use hot water—heat is the enemy of leather and will cause it to shrink and harden. Add your specialized detergent and mix it in well. Submerge the sheepskin and gently move it around in the water. You don't need to scrub it aggressively; just let the soapy water work its way through the fibers for about five to ten minutes.
Once you're done, drain the tub and rinse the sheepskin thoroughly with cool water. You'll want to keep rinsing until all the soap suds are gone. Gently squeeze out the excess water—don't wring or twist it, as that can misshape the leather backing.
Can you use a washing machine?
The short answer is yes, but with a few big "ifs." Most modern sheepskins that are tanned for home decor can handle a machine wash, but you have to be careful. First, check the care label if it's still attached. If it says "dry clean only," you're taking a risk by putting it in the machine.
If you decide to go for it, use a front-loading machine if possible. Top-loaders with a center agitator can be a bit too rough on the hide. Set the machine to the "wool" or "delicate" cycle and make sure the water temperature is cold. Again, use that specialized wool wash.
One little trick is to throw in a couple of light-colored towels with the rug to help balance the load. Once the cycle is finished, don't let it sit in the machine. Take it out immediately so the leather doesn't start to develop a "musty" smell from sitting damp in a dark drum.
The most critical step: Drying
This is the part where people usually lose their patience and end up ruining their sheepskin. Drying a sheepskin takes time—sometimes a couple of days depending on the thickness and the humidity in your house.
Never, ever put a sheepskin in the dryer. Even the "low heat" setting is usually too much for the leather backing. You also want to keep it away from direct sunlight and radiators. High heat will cause the leather to shrink and crack, and once that happens, there's no fixing it.
The best way to dry it is to lay it flat on a clean towel in a cool, shaded area with plenty of airflow. A laundry drying rack is perfect for this because it allows air to circulate underneath the rug. While it's drying, give it a gentle stretch every few hours to keep the leather backing from becoming too stiff. You want to pull it back into its original shape while it's still damp.
Brushing it back to life
When the sheepskin is still slightly damp, it's time to brush it. This might feel counterintuitive, but it's the secret to getting that fluffy, cloud-like texture back. Use a metal-toothed sheepskin brush (often called a slicker brush) to gently comb through the wool.
Start at the bottom and work your way up, untangling any clumps or mats that formed during the wash. You'll probably see a fair amount of wool come off in the brush—don't panic, that's normal. Once it's completely dry, give it one final, vigorous brush. This will separate all the fibers and give it that "just bought it" look.
Keeping it clean for longer
Now that you know how do you wash a sheepskin, you probably don't want to do it again anytime soon. To keep it in good shape, try to make brushing a regular habit. A quick brush once a week keeps the fibers from matting together and helps flick away any dust or crumbs before they get buried deep in the pile.
If the rug starts to smell a bit "sheepy," which can happen with natural products, you can lightly sprinkle some baking soda over the wool. Let it sit for a few hours and then shake it out or vacuum it up. This absorbs odors without the need for water.
Lastly, try to keep your sheepskin out of high-traffic areas where people walk with dirty shoes. If it's a throw on a chair or at the foot of a bed, it'll stay clean much longer than if it's used as a doormat in the mudroom. Treating it like a delicate piece of furniture rather than a standard carpet will save you a lot of laundry days in the long run.