Cowhide rugs are pretty popular in 2023 because of the latest home décor trends. Not many people are familiar with cowhide products, so they are looking to explore this new style for their homes.
Authentic cowhide rugs are excellent accessories for living rooms. They can be used as centerpieces to create a cozy vibe in homes, allowing families to enjoy their daily activities.
However, these rugs do require special care from time to time. You might have a hairless or hair-on cowhide rug, which asks for different levels of maintenance.
Homeowners can prioritize cleaning their favorite rugs and implement tips and tricks to get the most value out of their cowhide products.
Let’s explore ways to care for cowhide rugs to maximize their beauty and increase their longevity.
Best Ways to Clean Cowhide Rugs
Cleaning cowhide rugs is not complicated. However, it does require some effort on a semi-regular basis. There are various ways to ensure your rugs stay clean, especially since they are subject to the effects of the environment.
Even if you’re diligent about cleaning your home, you cannot keep dust and debris from settling into your rugs. Hair-on rugs trap even more dust particles than the hairless varieties, meaning you must take proactive action a few times per week.
Let’s look at some of the best ways to clean cowhide rugs.
1. Vacuum Them Often
The easiest way to maintain your cowhide rugs’ beauty and ensure their longevity is to vacuum them often. Three times a week is enough to keep your rugs clean and in pristine condition, provided you do not drop liquids on them.
Hair-on rugs require more frequent vacuuming than their counterparts. This is because the fur is designed to trap these particles specifically to protect the leather interior.
Depending on the type of leather you choose, you may have to be extra careful with your care. Some leathers are less resilient than others and can stain easily. Others may get very dirty from dust and dirt, leading to allergies.
Experts recommend that you should only buy premium cowhide rugs for your home. Investing in the best quality in the market ensures that you do not have to deal with general wear and tear from using your rugs regularly.
As long as you vacuum your rugs a few times per week, they will maintain their beauty, and you will not have to worry about trapped dust particles in the fabric.
2. Shake it Clean
The old-school approach to cleaning carpets and rugs is still valid. If you've owned a hairy rug for a long time, you will know that vacuuming is not enough to remove all of the dust from the material.
If you shake the carpet clean, there will always be dust flying in the air. Therefore, it is best to incorporate this cleaning strategy once in a while to remove all traces of dust and debris from the rug.
Cowhide rugs are very durable and can withstand rough use. Shaking them is typically enough to release all the dust, but you should do it outside.
It is not surprising that dust can penetrate deep into your rug. Cowhide rugs are no exception, so shaking them clean is an excellent way to get optimal results. However, this technique should be combined with semi-regular vacuuming since it is not the best stand-alone cleaning method.
3. Use a Brush
Another efficient way to care for your cowhide rug is to clean it using a brush. Depending on the type of material you have, you will need to buy a specific brush. Some rugs can withstand hard bristles, while others cannot. So, it is useful to buy the right brush from your local store to create a clean environment in your living space.
Like all rugs, premium cowhide rugs are subject to the effects of penetrating dust particles. Dirt, allergens, and pet dander can also become lodges in your rug’s fabrics. Using a brush allows you to remove all of these particles at the cost of expended energy.
Although vacuuming is more effective, brushing your rug clean might be a simpler technique. You can get similar results depending on how meticulous you are with your cleaning and finding the right brush for your carpet.
Hairy rugs require harder bristles. Hairless cowhide rugs need to be treated a bit more gently because you do not want to damage the leather surface. If you visit your local department store, the staff can help you find a brush that is compatible with different carpets and rugs.
4. Use Carpet Detergents for Cleaning Stains
It is not uncommon for homeowners to accidentally stain their carpets. They may drop food or spill hot liquids, which can stain the material. Although these rugs are fairly stain-resistant, they are not completely protected from stains. So, you might have to clean your carpet with detergents to remove all of the stains.
This is a bit of a complicated process if you're cleaning the entire rug. There is a lot of effort involved, and you need to let the rug dry for at least 48 hours. However, if you're dealing with one small area, you can get faster results if you use the right detergents and rub the area clean with a sponge or brush.
You will notice that the stains come out without much effort if you use carpet-friendly detergents. Alkaline shampoos should be avoided since they are not good for the material and can damage it.
When dealing with trickier stains, you might need to use a butter knife. If you notice crusty food particles stuck to your rug, you can scrape them off before cleaning them with detergents. Liquid stains may require the use of warm or hot water since the pigments can penetrate deep. However, you can get excellent results if you are persistent and do your due diligence.
5. Use a Steam Cleaner
You can buy a steam cleaner from a local store or order it online to maintain your premium cowhide rugs. However, you must prepare your rug for this type of cleaning by removing most of the stains using the other techniques listed in this blog. Once they are removed, you can begin using your steam cleaner.
For the most optimal results, you need to apply steam gently on the stained areas to soften the particles. Once the carpet is damp, you can rub a cloth gently to remove the stains completely. You might have to do this for ten to fifteen minutes, but the results will become obvious soon enough.
6. Hire Cleaning Professionals
If you cannot seem to get the stains out of your cowhide rug, you might need to hire a cleaning professional. You can find services in your area where someone visits your home and cleans your rug thoroughly using special equipment.
The staff knows how to treat different kinds of rugs. If you tell them to be extra careful with your premium cowhide rugs, they will be gentler in their approach. They will also produce better results than you could manage by yourself because they have carpet cleaning equipment.
Their cleaning tactics are pretty thorough, and you will have a brand-new rug in no time.
Caring for Cowhide Rugs – Tips and Tricks
Caring for cowhide rugs is not complicated. These rugs are durable and designed for longevity. Cleaning them also requires minimal effort if you are consistent with vacuuming and avoid staining the materials.
One thing to remember is that cowhide rugs are not completely waterproof. So, you need to be careful about how much water you use when cleaning your rugs. Using a damp cloth is recommended since too much water can damage the material.
Brushing your rugs semi-regularly will ensure that the fabric looks brand-new. When dealing with hair-on rugs, you need to brush them once a week for the best results. It is also a good way to remove dust and dirt particles from the fabric.
Using the right brush is also important. If the bristles are too hard, they may damage the surface. However, hard bristles work well for hair-on rugs since they can penetrate into the surface and remove all the dust without any struggle.
Hiring a professional may be a good option if your rugs haven’t been deep cleaned in months or years. However, if you’re consistent with your cleaning efforts, you won’t have to get them cleaned often.
Cowhide Gallery Provides Authentic Cowhide Rugs From Reputable Sources
Cowhide Gallery ethically sources its cowhide products and ensures they are eco-friendly products. We produce premium-quality cowhide rugs that are very popular options as home décor.
If you’re looking to try something new, you can find a variety of cowhide products on our website.
You can also find calf hide rugs and cowhide duffels for a slightly different vibe. Take responsibility for your home décor and choose the most authentic cowhide products in the market.