They are very precious due to their luxurious quality, selection of patterns, and versatility. With all the good materials, however, they need special handling to ensure that they last long and are beautiful. Regarding cleaning cowhide rugs, the question many owners might have is whether it is safe to put them into the washing machine for a quick wash. This blog is going to tell us why washing a cowhide rug in a washing machine is not advisable and what other cleaning needs can be done to have your rug looking its best, yet maintain the naturalness of this material.
Why Washing Machines Are Not Ideal for Cowhide Rugs
Cowhide rugs are wonderful, long-lasting, and have a natural touch that cannot be matched in all spaces. Yet when cleaning time comes, most rug owners are compelled to send their cowhide rugs to the washing machine to enjoy a quick wash. Although washers are an excellent tool to clean virtually every material, cowhide covers cannot be washed with them. Here's why:
-
Risk of Damage to the Hide: Cowhide is a natural product, and in contrast to cotton or sheep wool, is not very friendly to the disturbance and twisting action of a washing machine. The abnormal treatment may make the hide stretch, shrink, or, in some cases, tear.
-
Color Fading or Bleeding: Most cowhide carpets are dyed using natural colors or patterns. The moisture and heat in the washing machine can lead to bleeding of such dyes, with the effect of fading the rug's natural beauty and even the formation of uneven patches.
-
Deformation: A heavy-duty washing machine can cause deformation in the shape of the rug. A washing machine may give an irregular rug, which no longer lies flat, because cowhide is not as pliable as other materials.
-
Loss of Natural Oils: Cowhide requires its natural oils to keep its softness and suppleness. Washing machines remove these vital oils, leaving the hide dry, stiff, and susceptible to cracking with the passage of time.
How to Restore the Softness of a Cowhide Rug
With time, cowhides might tend to lose their softness with a lot of scrubbing of the cowhide, sunlight, or even as a result of wear and tear. The following are some of the ideas to make them feel soft and luxurious under your feet once again:
-
Use Leather Conditioner: Cowhide rugs, similar to leather furniture, can rub along well with a light leather conditioner. Use a little of the conditioner used in leather products and apply it to the surface of the rug after cleaning. Apply it with a soft cloth, rubbing gently so as to feed the hide and add moisture.
-
Avoid Excessive Moisture: Care should be taken not to keep a cowhide rug too wet. The fibers may be dried up too much by too much moisture and become brittle. Spot clean using minimal water and grounds instead of thoroughly drying the rug in case it is waterlogged.
-
Brush the Rug Regularly: Regularly brushing your cowhide rug can make it soft and fluffy. With a brush that has soft bristles, curl the brush towards the direction of the hair. This will avoid the matting and will make the rug maintain its smoothness.
-
Air Dry the Rug: When cleaning your rug or it gets wet, never put it in a dryer or expose it to direct sunlight, always leave it to dry naturally. Put it down, flat on a well-ventilated place to have the cowhide dry naturally; this contributes to the retention of its softness.
How to Remove Stains from Cowhide Rugs
Things happen, and your cowhide rug might stain. Spilled drinks, pet accidents, or food stains--whatever the case, cleaning stains out of a cowhide rug is a little more involved. So stains could be safely removed like this:
-
Act Quickly: The faster you treat a stain, the simpler it will be to eliminate. Absorb any excess water using a soft cloth by simply blotting; do not rub it into your rug. It will help avoid further fixation of the stain in the fibers.
-
Use Mild Soap and Water: Mild soap has the ability to solve light stains when mixed with water. Moisten a soft cloth with this solution and softly pat the spot with the stain. Do not wet the hide too much, and it will ruin the rug. Before applying the whole stain, always test at a small, unnoticeable place.
-
For Tough Stains, Use White Vinegar: On tough stains, you can use an equal part of white vinegar and water. Wet a linen material lightly in the solution and blot the stain. Vinegar works well because it counters the odors and removes certain stains.
-
Professional Cleaning: Deep stains or permanent stains should be dealt with by calling upon professionals who can clean them off. Rug cleaners who have expertise in cowhide or leather treatment will be armed with appropriate equipment and resources to work on difficult stains without imparting undue damage to the rug.
Conclusion
The washing machine might be a convenient choice, but you should not clean your cowhide rug using this machine because of the chances of damaging it, fading of colors, and becoming distorted. Rather, think of soft cleaning forms such as vacuuming, spot-cleaning, and brushing to keep your cowhide rug handsome. In case of need, professional cleaning of the rug is highly recommended, as it would restore it to its old state. With the right maintenance, it is possible to keep your cowhide rug a beautiful, soft, and long-lasting object for many years.
Disclaimer
The cleaning procedures given in this blog are meant to guide, just as a general rule, and may not be used in place of professional advice. Using a small, unnoticeable part of the rug, always test the cleaning methods to see how they work before doing the same on the whole. MK Rugs does not take any responsibility for damage that might arise due to the cleaning process. With persistent stains or cleaning large areas, a professional rug cleaner who specialises in handling cowhide rugs or leather should be consulted to win the battle.
