YikHome Sheepskin Care Guide
Thank you for choosing a YikHome premium whole-piece sheepskin rug. Natural sheepskin is celebrated for its exceptional softness, warmth, and breathability. With a little simple routine care, your rug will remain plush and luxurious for years to come.
1. Routine Maintenance (Everyday Care)
The secret to keeping your sheepskin looking its best is regular, gentle maintenance:
- The Weekly Shake: Take your rug outside once a week and give it a vigorous shake. This naturally removes dust and debris and helps the wool fibers regain their fluffy bounce.
- Regular Brushing: Over time, natural wool can become slightly tangled. Use a metal-toothed pet comb or a specialized wool comb to gently brush the rug in the direction of the wool growth. This detangles the fibers and restores its original plushness.
- Safe Vacuuming: You may vacuum your rug, but you must turn off the rotating beater bar (brush roll). Use only the suction attachment and vacuum in the direction of the hair to avoid pulling or breaking the wool.
2. Spot Cleaning (For Small Spills)
If an accident happens, act quickly:
- Blot Immediately: If liquid spills, immediately press clean white paper towels or a dry cloth firmly onto the spot to absorb as much moisture as possible. Never rub or scrub, as this pushes the stain deeper into the wool and leather.
- Gentle Dabbing: For minor stains, gently dab the area with a clean, damp cloth (water must be cool, below 30°C/86°F). If a cleaner is absolutely necessary, use only a non-biological, wool-specific detergent. Never use bleach, standard laundry detergents, or alkaline soaps.
YikHome Strongly Recommends: Professional Dry Cleaning by a Leather/Fur Specialist.
Because our rugs are crafted from natural whole-piece sheepskin, the leather backing (the pelt) is highly susceptible to irreversible shrinking and hardening if immersed in water. To protect your investment:
- Do Not Machine Wash: Despite some claims that sheepskin can be machine-washed, doing so often ruins the natural leather backing, causing it to deform and turn stiff.
- Avoid Soaking: Keep the leather backing as dry as possible.
4. Crucial: The Drying Process
If your rug accidentally becomes significantly wet, how you dry it will determine if it survives:
- Air Dry Naturally: Lay the rug flat in a cool, well-ventilated area to dry naturally.
- STRICTLY NO HEAT: Never use a tumble dryer, never dry in direct sunlight, and never place it near a radiator, hair dryer, or any direct heat source. Heat strips the natural oils from the leather instantly, causing it to become stiff, brittle, and cracked.
- Stretch While Damp: When the pelt is almost dry but still slightly damp, gently stretch the leather backing in all directions. This helps prevent shrinkage as it finishes drying. Once fully dry, brush the wool to restore fluffiness.
If you need to store your rug for a season:
- Store it in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight (long-term UV exposure causes natural white wool to yellow).
- Use a breathable cotton dust bag or a cardboard box. Never use plastic bags, as they trap moisture and can cause the natural leather to mold.
Note: Every YikHome sheepskin is a product of nature, meaning variations in color, wool length, and texture are completely normal. You may experience slight shedding initially; this is standard for natural goods and will subside after a few good shakes and brushings.
