Even though cowhide rugs are generally strong and durable, you must invest some time and effort into their maintenance. Fortunately, you do not need to invest a lot of effort in their general cleaning and maintenance. For general care, vacuuming is enough. If you accidentally spill something on your cowhide rug, you can clean it by wiping with a dry piece of cloth. Wipe gently and in the same direction of the hairs. If the spill does not come out easily, you may use a mild detergent and a damp piece of cloth. With proper care and maintenance, your rug can last a lifetime.
Regular Maintenance
Without regular maintenance, your cowhide rugs will not last long. Vacuum regularly to keep dust from piling up. You can prevent damage by vacuuming in the direction of the hair.
When you are unable to vacuum, take our rug outside and shake it to remove debris and loose dirt. Another way to clean your cowhide rug is by light brushing. Use a brush with hard bristles and brush in the direction of the hair.
Removing Solid Stains
Solid stains such as food stains may easily fall on your cowhide rug. Food stains are some of the most common solid stains. If that happens, you should wait for the stain to dry off before scraping it off. Scrape it off gently to avoid causing damage to your rug. Dab the area with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
Steam Cleaning
This is another way of caring for your cowhide rugs. It is a safe and effective way of removing excessive pile-up of dust. Pre-vacuum your rug before steaming and lean in eh direction of the hairs. Do not let your rug get wet as this could cause water damage. Once you have steam cleaned your rug properly, you may dry it over a chair or rack with the hairs facing down.
Storage
You should store your cowhide rugs in a cool dry place. Keep them rolled around a tube core to avoid the formation of fold lines. You can prevent the buildup of dust during storage by covering your rug with a cotton piece of cloth. If you keep your rug folded for a long time, it may take some time for the creases to fall out when you unfold it.
High-quality, natural cowhide rugs will not crease for long. The creases fall out naturally after a few days of lying flat. You may place heavy weights on them to speed up the process.
Wash them
Even though you are generally advised not to get your cowhide rugs wet, you may wash them under extreme circumstances. If your rug is already ruined, you may soak it with a full immersion clean in a non-ionic wash that is safe for leather. This may be the last option to rescue your rug.
If you need a hide rug in the UK, you may get one from HideRugs. There are plenty of hiderugs and you can easily find one that meets your needs.