Of course you can wash a sheepskin rug, but it’s a delicate dance. Get it wrong, and you risk turning that cloud of softness into a stiff, sad-looking mat. A little bit of know-how is all you need to keep it looking and feeling its best.

Getting to Know Your Sheepskin Rug

That gorgeous rug isn't just a piece of décor; it's a natural wonder. As the seasons turn and we find ourselves seeking comfort indoors—whether escaping the summer heat in the Northern Hemisphere or cosying up from the winter chill down under—it becomes the heart of the home. It’s a warm welcome on a cool morning, a soft spot for your yoga stretches, or the perfect plush setting for a girls' night in. To keep it that way, you need to understand what makes it special.

The secret to its incredible softness is lanolin, a natural waxy substance found in the wool. Lanolin is a powerhouse—it makes the fibres feel silky, repels dirt, and keeps things fresh. But if you hit it with hot water or harsh chemicals, you'll strip that lanolin right out. The result? Brittle wool and a leather backing that could crack and harden.

Why Gentle Washing Is So Crucial

You essentially have two paths you can take, and your choice will make all the difference in protecting your investment.

• Hand Washing: This is, without a doubt, the safest bet. It puts you in complete control, ensuring you don't accidentally stretch, twist, or otherwise damage the delicate fibres and hide. It's my go-to recommendation every time for the woman who values mindful care in her home.
• Careful Machine Washing: Yes, it can be done, but it's a bit of a gamble. You absolutely must use a 'wool' or 'delicates' cycle with strictly cold water and a very slow, gentle spin. Think of this as the "I'm really short on time" option for the modern woman juggling it all, and proceed with caution.

The goal here isn't just to get it clean, but to maintain its unique character and luxurious feel. A quick look at advice from UK sheepskin specialists backs this up—they almost universally recommend a gentle hand wash with a proper wool shampoo to avoid damage and lock in that signature softness.

To give you a quick reference, I've put together a little cheat sheet.

Sheepskin Washing Cheat Sheet

Here’s a simple table summarising the essentials for washing your sheepskin rug at home without any drama.

Remember, no matter which method you choose, the drying process is just as important as the wash itself!

Ultimately, looking after your premium Australian sheepskin wool rug is a ritual that pays off in years of comfort. It's a bit like caring for other special textiles around the house—they all need the right touch to stay fresh. If you're curious about general fabric care, this guide on cleaning other household fabrics is a great read. Get the wash and the drying right, and your rug will remain the soft, inviting centrepiece of your room for a long, long time.

Essential Steps Before You Wash

Before you even think about getting your sheepskin rug wet, a little bit of prep work can make a world of difference. Honestly, taking these few extra minutes is the secret to a successful wash and might even save you from needing one in the first place.

First things first, take your rug outside for a good, old-fashioned shake. You'll be amazed at how much dust, loose fibres, and daily debris will fly out! It’s such a simple step, but getting rid of that surface-level grit stops it from turning into a muddy mess once water is involved.

Brushing and Spot Treating

Next up, have a closer look at any areas that seem a bit flat or matted down. This happens all the time in high-traffic spots where those lovely wool fibres get squashed.

• Give it a gentle brush: Grab a wire wool brush (a dog's slicker brush works wonders, if you have one) and gently work through any tangled patches. This simple action teases the fibres apart, brings back that iconic fluffy texture, and helps the rug get a much more even clean later on.

• Target small stains: For little spills, you don't always need to go for a full wash. The key is to act fast. Dab the spot immediately with a clean, damp cloth and a tiny bit of specialised wool cleaner. Always blot gently—never, ever rub! Rubbing just grinds the stain deeper into the fibres.

A proactive approach is always your best bet. Blotting spills the moment they happen and giving your rug a regular brush can dramatically extend the time between full washes. This helps preserve the natural lanolin and delicate leather backing for much longer.

For an extra layer of defence against life's little accidents, think about using a specialised treatment. A quality suede protector and stain repellent can make liquids bead up on the surface, buying you precious time to clean them before they soak in. It's like an invisible shield for your rug—an absolute must for a busy home where kids, pets, and the occasional spilled glass of wine are just part of a life well-lived.

The Gentle Hand Washing Method

When a quick spot clean just won't cut it, hand washing is by far the kindest way to treat your cherished sheepskin rug. It’s a gentle, mindful process that protects the delicate leather hide and those wonderfully soft wool fibres, making sure your rug stays the inviting centrepiece of your home. Think of it as less of a chore and more of a self-care ritual for your living space.

It's a bit like giving your rug a spa day. First things first, you'll need to prepare a bath—but hold the hot water! Fill your bathtub with cool or lukewarm water. A good rule of thumb is to keep it below 30°C. Hot water is the absolute enemy of sheepskin, as it can cause the leather to shrink, harden, and become brittle.

Next, you'll want to add a splash of a specialist wool shampoo. Look for a pH-neutral formula that's enriched with lanolin. Your standard laundry detergents are far too harsh and will strip the wool's natural protective oils, leaving it dry and sad. A proper wool wash, on the other hand, cleanses and conditions the fibres.

Submerging and Soaking

Once you’ve got your gentle bath ready, it's time to fully submerge the rug. Let it soak for about 10-15 minutes to give the shampoo time to work its magic.

Gently swish the water with your hands and use soft squeezing motions to work the suds through the wool. You want to avoid any harsh scrubbing or twisting. That kind of rough handling can cause the fibres to mat and could even stretch or tear the leather backing. The secret here is patience—let the soak do most of the heavy lifting for you.

The goal is to lift the dirt away, not scrub it out. A gentle touch preserves the integrity of both the wool and the hide, which is crucial for preventing permanent damage and maintaining that cloud-like softness.

After a thorough but gentle clean, it’s time to rinse. Drain the soapy water and refill the tub with fresh, cool water. Gently press the rug to work the suds out, repeating this a couple of times until the water runs clear. Finally, carefully press out as much excess water as you can. Whatever you do, don't wring or twist the rug! This careful process is quite similar to how you’d look after other delicate sheepskin items. If you're curious, our guide on how to clean sheepskin slippers follows many of the same principles.

This visual guide shows you exactly where hand washing fits into the overall cleaning process.

As you can see, hand washing is the recommended middle ground when spot cleaning isn't quite enough. It offers a much safer, more reliable alternative to ever risking it in the washing machine.

Using a Washing Machine: The Calculated Risk

Let’s be honest, sometimes a full hand wash just isn't on the cards. Between juggling work, family, and finding a moment for yourself, convenience wins. We get it. While hand washing is always the gentlest option, you can pop your sheepskin rug in the machine—but it must be a carefully calculated move.

Think of it as the smart, time-saving solution for the woman who loves beautiful décor but needs practical, real-world solutions. The non-negotiable first rule? Only use a front-loading machine. Those top-loaders with a central agitator are just too aggressive and will almost certainly stretch or even tear the delicate leather hide.

Once you’ve confirmed your machine is suitable, the settings are everything. This is no time for a standard cycle; you absolutely must select a ‘wool’ or ‘delicates’ option. These cycles use a gentle tumbling action that’s designed to mimic the soft swishing of washing by hand.

The Machine Washing Checklist

To minimise the risk, you need to follow these rules without exception. Getting any of them wrong can lead to a stiff, matted rug, and nobody wants that.

• Temperature is Key: Stick to cold or lukewarm water—a maximum of 30°C. Anything hotter, and you risk shrinking the hide permanently. It won’t bounce back from that.
• Slow and Steady: Choose the slowest spin speed your machine offers. A high-speed spin is far too harsh, wringing the rug out with a force that will cause damage and misshaping.
• No Fabric Softener: Avoid fabric softeners at all costs. They work by coating the fibres, which on sheepskin, just leaves a residue that dulls its natural softness and lustre.

The most crucial element here is your choice of detergent. Standard laundry liquids are designed to strip oils, which is a disaster for sheepskin. You need a specialist sheepskin detergent. It's formulated to clean while preserving the natural lanolin that keeps the wool so incredibly soft and luxurious.

This careful approach has become much more common in the UK, where the market for specialist wool detergents has grown hugely since the 1980s. This same logic applies to other sheepskin treasures, a topic we explore in our article on whether you can wash UGGs in the washer machine.

The Art of Drying and Fluffing Your Rug

Now for the part that requires a bit of patience—the drying phase. This is where all your hard work pays off, transforming a damp rug back into that soft, inviting centrepiece you love. Getting this bit right is the difference between cloud-like comfort and a disappointing, stiff mat.

The absolute golden rule? Never, ever use direct heat. Tumble dryers, radiators, and even direct sunlight are completely off-limits. Heat is the arch-nemesis of sheepskin; it causes the leather backing to shrink, tighten, and crack, and once that happens, there’s no going back. We want to preserve that supple hide, not bake it solid.

The Slow and Steady Approach

The secret is beautifully low-tech: cool, circulating air.

Lay your freshly washed rug flat on a clean surface, maybe a few towels spread out on the floor, or drape it over a clothes horse. The key is to find a well-ventilated spot, well away from any direct heat sources.

As it starts to dry, take a moment to gently reshape it. You can do this by carefully stretching the leather hide with your hands. It’s a small step, but it makes a world of difference in preventing shrinkage and ensuring it lays perfectly flat once it’s fully dry.

Don’t be surprised if this takes a while—sometimes up to a few days, depending on the humidity and the thickness of your rug. This slow, natural process is essential for protecting the delicate fibres and the supple leather backing. Patience here is a virtue that pays off in pure softness!

Restoring That Glorious Fluff

Once your rug is completely dry to the touch, it’s time for the final, satisfying step—bringing back the fluff. It might look a little flat or clumpy after its wash, but don’t worry, that’s easily fixed.

Grab a wire pet brush or a specialised sheepskin carding brush and gently tease the wool fibres. Work in small sections, brushing softly in different directions to separate any clumps and restore the rug’s original volume and cloud-like texture. This final touch is what truly brings it back to life.

For more in-depth guidance on long-term maintenance, our article on how to care for a sheepskin rug offers even more expert tips.

Your Sheepskin Care Questions Answered

Even with the clearest instructions, it’s completely normal to have a few questions pop up. Looking after a natural material like sheepskin is a new experience for a lot of people, and you want to be sure you’re getting it right. Let's tackle some of the most common queries we get.

Can I Use Regular Laundry Detergent?

This one is a hard no. Your standard laundry liquid is full of enzymes designed to munch through grime and oils, which is the absolute last thing your sheepskin needs.

These detergents will strip away the wool’s natural lanolin, leaving the fibres feeling brittle and sad. Even worse, they can cause the leather hide to become stiff and prone to cracking. Always, always reach for a pH-neutral, non-enzyme shampoo formulated specifically for wool.

My Rug Feels Stiff After Washing. What Went Wrong?

Ah, the dreaded post-wash stiffness. This is almost always a sign that the rug was dried too quickly with heat. If you popped it in a tumble dryer, draped it over a radiator, or left it to bake in direct sunlight, the leather backing has likely shrunk and hardened.

If the damage isn’t too severe, you might be able to salvage it. As it finishes air-drying, try to gently work and massage the leather side to encourage it to soften up. Giving the woolly side a really good brush can also help bring back some of its wonderful texture.

The big takeaway here is that prevention is so much easier than a cure. A slow, natural air-dry is the only truly safe method. It's the secret to keeping your rug soft and supple for years of cosy moments to come.

How Often Should I Wash My Sheepskin Rug?

Our best advice? Wash it as little as possible! Thanks to that amazing lanolin we mentioned, sheepskin is naturally antibacterial and brilliant at repelling dirt. Your best friends for day-to-day care are a regular shake-out in the garden, a gentle vacuum (make sure the beater bar is off), and tackling spills the moment they happen.

Only commit to a full wash when it's genuinely necessary—maybe once a year at the absolute most, depending on where it lives in your home.

Getting the hang of textile care is a great skill for keeping your whole home looking beautiful. For tips on washing other common household items, this guide on how to wash a doona has some handy parallel advice.

Ready to add a touch of authentic Australian comfort to your home? Explore the beautiful, 100% premium sheepskin collection from Snuggyz Australia and find your perfect piece of cosy. Shop now!