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My Top 16 Affordable Amazon Art Pieces

a light-colored cow hide rug in a living room

How to Clean a Cowhide Rug Perfectly Every Time

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There are many factors to consider when designing your “dream home.” But one thing I always insist on getting right is the rug. The rug is arguably the most important design element in most spaces and one that I often suggest you start with when pulling a room together. Read more about why rug refreshes are a must in any room. A good rug can set the tone for a designer look from the jump. After all, isn’t that what we all are? Of course, upgrading your rug isn’t enough; you’ll also need to keep ​routine maintenance in mind – especially if you opt for a cowhide rug. So here’s a quick guide on how to clean a cowhide rug perfectly every time. Faux cowhide rugs can generally be cleaned using powdered rug cleaner. In contrast, genuine cowhide rugs can be cleaned by shaking the rug, combing the hair, and deodorizer powder treatments.

Sean Andersen designed living room with a cow hide rug grey floors and lots of throw pillows

Here’s the thing: cowhide rugs are a great way to quickly elevate a room, especially in spaces where the hardwood floors are in good shape. A simple cowhide rug under a table or foot of the bed will immediately zone the space with a bold texture, with lots of intention. These beautiful rugs can turn a simple room into something special. However, they need special care – real or faux and you will want to keep them in tip-top shape for the best results. While opting for a professional cleaning is always an option, I have plenty of tried-and-true cleaning methods to share with you today.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a long-term cowhide rug owner, I’m sure my expertise can help you keep your rugs looking nice and new for a long time. Let’s get started!

Genuine vs Faux Cowhide

a cow rug in a kitchen under a round dining table

Before we get into any specific cleaning techniques, it’s important to realize the differences between genuine and faux cowhide rugs. As the name implies, genuine cowhide is made from real cows. While these types of rugs definitely aren’t vegan-friendly or cruelty-free, they do offer a number of natural benefits, including:

  • Unique patterning
  • An increased level of durability
  • A natural feel

Faux cowhide rugs, on the other hand, are synthetic low-maintenance rugs designed to look like natural cowhide. These rugs tend to be cheaper, easier to maintain, more resistant to hair loss, and offer consistent patterns. You’ll also enjoy consistent coloring, which may make it easier to match your current setup, whether it’s a lighter or darker-color rug.

How to Clean a Cowhide Rug: Basic Cleaning

tan cow hide rug faux

Basic cleaning is fairly simple, whether you have a genuine or a faux cowhide rug. However, I’m going to give you different methods for cleaning each type, as each one requires a different type of care.

For Genuine Rugs

a cow rug in front of a bench

You’ll want to take your rug outside and give it a good shake once a week. This will help loosen and remove any dust that has built up from day-to-day traffic. For simple solids, you can also scrape them off the rug with the blunt edge of a knife. Either weekly or bi-weekly, it’s a good idea to grab a dry vacuum before combing the hair on the rug. 

Combing the hairs after your regular vacuuming helps remove dirt and dust from the rug. You can then use your vacuum cleaner to clean up the dirt you’ve removed. Alternatively, you can just vacuum the rug directly. If you decide to take this route, I recommend using a brush attachment to help prevent damaging your rug. Always vacuum with the direction of the hair!

Although less frequent, there are still monthly care requirements to remember. I don’t recommend skipping these, as they’re what has helped my cowhide rugs seem new over time. Simply put, natural cowhide can—and will—trap odors. Using deodorizer powder or baking soda can help prevent this. Just let it sit for around two hours then vacuum up the powder. Now your rug is good as new!

For Faux Rugs

a light-colored cow hide rug in a living room

Unlike genuine rugs, faux rugs are usually made from polyester. This is great for us when it comes time to clean them, as there are plenty of carpet chemicals we can use to keep our rugs looking brand-new. Before I do anything, though, I always check the back to look for a “care label”.

This label will usually provide maintenance instructions for that specific rug. If the label says your entire rug is made from synthetic materials then you can use the faux cowhide rug instructions. However, you’ll need to stick to the genuine cowhide instructions if your rug has a backing of suede or leather.

For basic cleaning, you can use powdered rug cleaner. Just follow the instructions and you’ll be good to go. For a more intense cleaning session, I recommend using a carpet cleaning machine instead. As before, just follow the instructions, performing both a clean and rinse cycle on your rug. Leave it out to air dry once you’re done rinsing the rug.

How to Clean a Cowhide Rug: Deep Cleaning

A black and white gallery wall with cowhide rug

If you want to give your cowhide rug a deep cleaning then you’ll need to get your hands on a steam cleaner. Generally, moisture is something that you’ll want to avoid, but with steam cleaning this won’t be an issue as it’s relatively low-moisture.

Whether you’re trying to remove unsightly liquid stains or leftover crumbs from some tasty treats you’ve been snacking on, the process is the same. We always start with a quick shake-out to remove as much dirt and dust as possible.

From there, you can fill the steamer with water. Turn it on and wait for steam to begin to billow out before moving it across the surface of the rug. It’s okay to focus on a specifically affected area, but try not to overdo it, as excessive moisture isn’t ideal. Make sure to work with the direction of the cowhide, rather than against it.

Once done, simply leave it out to air dry.

How to Clean a Cowhide Rug: Stain Removal

a zebra rug in a modern bedroom

If you happen to spill something—like one of your favorite red wine—on your rug then you’ll want to address it right away. Otherwise, you might end up with some stubborn stains. That said, the best way to approach stain removal really depends on what you’ve spilled on your rug.

Using a mild soap and a bit of clean water on the area is always a great place to start, but here are the specific strategies I recommend for each stain type.

For liquid spills: Blot the area with a paper towel, then dab the area with a moist cloth to prevent stains.

For food spills: Use a knife or spoon to wipe away any solid matter. Combing will also work here. However, if you’re worried about greasy ​food stains, look at the next method instead.

For grease: Sprinkle the area with cornstarch. Leave covered for two hours, then vacuum away the cornstarch. This should help prevent grease stains.

How to Clean a Cowhide Rug: Crease Removal

a cowhide rug on lite blonde hardwood floors in a living room

I’ll keep this section fairly brief, but I still thought it was worth covering. What if your beautiful cowhide rug ends up with creases? Perhaps leaving it under your decorative end table has left it with an indentation or two? No worries – these are easy issues to solve and/or prevent if you follow my cleaning tips.

Essentially, all you’ll need is an iron and a towel. Lay the rug facedown and flat, place the towel over the affected areas then iron on low. Make sure to keep the iron moving, though, or you risk damaging the rug underneath. When done, fluff the fibers of the rug using a soft brush then leave the rug out to dry.

Storing Your Cowhide Rug

Stacked cow hide rugs for storage
Pile of different brown with white cow hides

Okay, so now you know how to ensure your rugs have clean hides, but what about storage? Well, simply following these next few storage tips will have you right as rain. Every time I’ve stored my rugs using these methods, I’ve come back to rugs that looked just as good as the day I put them away.

  • Make sure to clean the rug before storing it away.
  • Roll your rug, rather than folding it, to prevent creases. I recommend placing some thin fabric on top of the rug before rolling it, as this will help prevent the bottom of the rug roll layers from sticking to itself in higher humidities.
  • Wrap your rug in a cotton sheet before placing it in a cool dry area of your home. Store up high on a shelf to minimize moisture exposure.

General Care Tips

A brick room with a tan cow hide rug

To wrap things up, here are my top tips you’ll want to follow if you intend to extend the life of your cowhide rug!

  • Clean and vacuum your rug routinely to keep it looking its best. Basically, just follow the care schedule listed above.
  • While you’re at it, don’t forget to give your rug a regular brushing as well. This is especially important in high-traffic areas, as the rug can become matted and dirty faster than normal.
  • Rotate your rugs regularly, especially if they’re in high-traffic areas.
  • Place rug pads underneath your cowhide rugs to decrease slippage and wear.
  • Avoid placing your rugs in direct sunlight if possible.

How to Clean a Cowhide Rug Perfectly Every Time: A Simple Summary

a zebra cow hide inspired rug

Alright y’all, I think that’s a wrap! Hopefully, you’ve found my tips, tricks, and how-to’s to be of some help. All in all, I think picking up a cowhide rug of your own is an effective way to enhance any living space,  no matter if it’s genuine or faux cowhide. With the ​proper care, your cowhide rug can last a decade or more, so routine maintenance is definitely something you’ll want to practice. 

Have anything you’d like to add, or perhaps questions I can answer? If so, be sure to leave me a comment below – I love to hear from you guys. Oh, and if you’re in the market for a new rug but don’t have too much to spend, be sure to check out my post on some helpful thrifting tricks.

Until next time, have a great week, and thanks for reading. Love you guys!


FAQs You Might Have When Learning How to Clean a Cowhide Rug

how to clean a cowhide rug

Can a cowhide rug be washed?

No, placing a cow skin rug in your washing machine is sure to damage it.

How do you clean dog urine out of a cowhide rug?

Blotting vinegar on the area is a great way to remove the smell of pet urine. Alternatively, pet-specific cleaners might be required for more stubborn odor removal tasks.

Can I hose down my cowhide rug?

I generally recommend avoiding excess water exposure, as this will surely damage genuine cowhide and can even damage faux cowhide rugs, depending on the materials the rug is made from. As such, no, please don’t hose down your cowhide rug!

What happens if a cowhide rug gets wet?

While synthetic cowhide rugs tend to have fewer issues with water, too much moisture is a genuine issue for authentic cowhide. The best way to approach accidental liquid exposure is to first blot the area to remove excess liquid, clean the area to prevent stains if applicable, and then let the rug air dry.

Can I use vinegar on a cowhide rug?

Yes, but it’s important to dilute the vinegar first. Dilute some white vinegar, use a cloth to blot the stained area, then leave it out to dry.

How to tell if a cow hide rug is real?

There are a few different ways to tell a faux cowhide rug from a genuine one. Whereas a faux one may feel rough, a genuine one will have a supple, soft feeling to it. Natural cowhide rugs will also have a slight unevenness to them, be priced higher, and lack the chemical smell often found in faux rugs. Lastly, a label on the back of the rug may tell you what it’s made of.

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