A faux sheepskin rug requires almost the same delicate cleaning as a real sheepskin rug does. You need to be patient with combing the strands if you want a brand new-looking, fluffy rug. Still, you should know how to clean a faux sheepskin rug from start to finish to achieve the best results.

How to Clean Faux Sheepskin Rug

Like the real deal, you should clean a faux fur rug as often as necessary for it to last long. Washing is the best way to remove all ingrained dirt and stains. Before washing though, make sure to check the tag for specific cleaning instructions.

Things you will need to clean faux fur rug:

• mild detergent
• fabric softener (optional)
• warm water
• large basin (you can use the bathtub)
• wide-toothed comb
• towel for drying

Washing Faux Sheepskin Rug

If you have a faux sheepskin rug one that you can just toss into the washing machine, consider yourself extremely lucky. Otherwise, use this guide to clean a faux fur rug.

1. Go outside and shake the rug several times to remove any loose dirt and dust.
2. Prepare the basin or bathtub and fill it with warm water. 
3. Rinse the rug while doing gentle squeezes on the different sections to release as much dirt as possible. 
4. Drain the tub and rinse it well before refilling with water. When you have enough water in the tub, add in the soap or detergent according to label instructions.
5. Put the rug back in the tub and wash it gently with your hands. Do not brush the rug. Instead, perform mild squeezes until all areas are clean. For white faux fur rugs, you can use bleach to remove stains, just only on the stained area.
6. After washing, rinse the rug with warm water. Repeat this a couple of times or until the water is not soapy. You may also use a fabric conditioner to make the fur softer once it is dry.
7. Carefully squeeze the rug to remove any excess water. Transfer the rug to an area where it could lay flat.

Drying Faux Sheepskin Rug

For some, using the dryer works. Others would rather stay on the safe side and just allow the rug to dry on its own before damaging the rug. Applying heat directly to the faux sheepskin rug might damage it, hardening the leather side if it has one or even shrinking it.

Use these steps to easily dry faux fur rugs:

1. Shake off any excess water from the rug. Then, lay the rug flat and use a towel to dry it.
2. Gently wipe and blot to absorb the liquid.
3. Replace the towel once it is too wet to absorb more liquid. Repeat the same process until the rug is damp.
4. Hang and let the rug dry by itself. Do not use a hairdryer or hang the rug under direct sunlight.

Combing Faux Fur

Faux fur uses polymeric fibers processed to imitate the appearance of real sheepskin or animal coats. That said, its strands are very fine and may even break with too much pressure. Proper brushing avoids damage to the fibers and makes the fur look thick and fluffy.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to comb faux fur:

1. Only comb the fur once the rug is 100 percent dry. Before combing, shake the rug several times to loosen the strands.
2. Lay the rug flat and use a wide-toothed metal comb to brush the strands. Alternatively, you can get a similar looking comb from a pet store.
3. Begin on one end of the rug. Comb the fur towards the direction of the strands. As you comb, make sure to remove all knots and tangles as gently as possible.
4. Continue combing the other sections while maintaining the same direction.
5. Give the rug a final shake before you move it to its original place.

How to Remove Stains on Faux Sheepskin Rug

It’s easier to remove stains when they are still fresh. For tough stains, it’s best to get professional cleaning to avoid any damage to your faux sheepskin rug. Here are the things you’ll need to remove stains on a faux fur rug:

• mild dish soap
• water
• 2 spray bottles
• cloth
• water

Instructions:

1. Combine ¼ teaspoon of dish soap and 1 cup warm water. Transfer into a spray bottle. 
2. Fill the other spray bottle with cold water.
3. For spills, make sure to blot the area first with a clean cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible.
4. Spray the soap solution on a clean, dry cloth and dab it on the stained area until the stain is gone. Replace the cloth if necessary to avoid spreading the stain.
5. Spray with cold water to rinse the soap. Blot with a clean cloth to dry.
6. Let the carpet air dry. Do not use a blower for drying.

Can You Use Vinegar to Remove Stains on Faux Fur Rug?

It depends. Vinegar is a popular method to remove stains. The acetic acid in vinegar is an effective stain remover that you can use on almost any type of surface. For faux fur rugs though, you should avoid using vinegar on natural fabric like wool. 

Always perform a patch test before using vinegar to remove stains. While the usual water-vinegar solution requires equal parts from each, you can reduce the vinegar for a milder cleaner. Better safe than sorry.

How to Remove Odor on Faux Sheepskin Rug

The best way to remove bad odor on your faux sheepskin rug is to wash it. However, when it is not yet time for deep cleaning or if the bad smell just won’t go away after washing, then you can use baking soda.

Baking soda is abrasive. It will help remove odor and some stains on your carpet. You can get rid of any bad smell in your rug in just 3 simple steps:

1. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on all areas of the rug.
2. Leave it there for about 10 minutes.
3. Vacuum the carpet and give it a couple of shakes after.

Caring Tips for Faux Sheepskin Rug

It is difficult to distinguish faux fur from real fur when a rug is well taken care of. Well, sheepskin rugs, regardless of whether they are real or not, are much more demanding when it comes to caring and maintenance than many types of carpet.

Still, you can enjoy an elegant-looking, fluffy sheepskin rug longer when you know how to properly care for it. Here are things every faux sheepskin rug owner should know. 

• Do not delay washing: While you can set a fixed cleaning schedule, some situations call for an immediate wash. The best approach is to clean the rug whenever it already needs washing. This is easy to determine. Stains, bad odor, and color change all mean it’s time to wash the rug.
• Avoid exposure to moisture: Like any rug, frequent exposure to moisture will make your sheepskin rug develop a bad odor. This would also encourage mold and mildew which could permanently leave dark spots. Always place your faux sheepskin rug in a cool, dry place but away from sunlight.
• Give it a shake every once in a while: Shaking the rug will get rid of dirt, crumbs, and almost any other loose particles that have accumulated deep within. This is also a simple way to improve the matted appearance of the fur.
• Spot clean dirt and spills: Don’t let spills linger on a faux sheepskin rug for a long time. This can lead to staining. Clean up immediately using a dry cloth. For loose crumbs and other loose particles, pick them up right away or bring your rug outside for a shake.
• Vacuum the rug with care: Vacuum your rug whenever it needs it. Cleaning using the vacuum would be a lot of help especially during those times when you need to delay washing. Use the correct setting and avoid using a flat head or roller brush. Instead, switch to the hose nozzle to prevent matted fur.
• Store the rug properly when not in use: It is important to wash your faux sheepskin rug and dry completely before storage. Otherwise, the dirt and stains will be difficult or impossible to remove next time. As much as possible, hang the rug instead of vacuum sealing it. This way, you will keep the fluffy texture of the fur.

Professional Faux Sheepskin Rug Cleaning

For stubborn stains and bad smells that won’t go away, it is better to just get professional cleaning services than an experiment. Unfortunately, you can’t just try every possible home remedy like vinegar solution because faux sheepskin needs more care than ordinary carpets.

On average, carpet cleaners might charge by size at $0.25 for every square foot. A small room can cost around $25. Some additional services like patching of holes as well as the type of carpet cleaning require additional pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

There is a noticeable difference between a well-maintained faux sheepskin rug and one that lacks maintenance. Cleaning a faux fur rug should be easy especially when you spot clean spills and dirt. There are lower chances that it will develop stains and odor which will make washing a lot easier.