Easy weekly & monthly care instructions for cowhide rugs at home.

Did you know that cowhide rugs are easy to clean? And if you clean them regularly you will extend their life and keep them looking great. It's really easy!

This video is really amazing but make sure you read the blog as well which covers other tips not mentioned in the video.

Watch this video to see our cowhide cleaner being demonstrated using common spills like red wine, and various foods like jam and butter.

We threw our whole pantry on a cowhide off-cut and cleaned it off. Even we didn't know what would happen! This was a one-take video from start to finish!

Cowhide cleaning product demo video using common spills.

But first some general advice.

Cowhide hair-on-hide is best used in a domestic home environment. You can use a cowhide rug in your home's entranceway but it will show wear more quickly than if used in other areas of the house. We think they work better in a lounge, dining room, or bedroom.

But what about the wrinkles?

It's OK to fold your cowhide, but it will need some time to relax after it is unfolded. If your rug is good quality the creases will come out after a few days lying flat.

A heavy weight like books can speed up this process. You can also steam iron the skin on the underside or hairy side to reduce creases more quickly.

Cowhide does move on carpet because of the carpet underlay, but on wooden or hard floors like tiles, it stays in place very well. The textured leather underside has a natural grip.

You do need to be a bit careful in bare feet on the soft & silky hairy upper side. Non-slip rug underlay can be used with hard floors like wood & concrete.

More words of wisdom...

The sun takes its toll on all furnishing fabrics. We recommend keeping the dyed and printed cow skins out of direct sunlight to avoid any possible fading.

Natural cowhide rugs are fade-resistant but everything fades given enough sun and enough time.

How to clean a cowhide rug - Easy things you can do that extend a hide's life big-time!

You won't regret taking a few extra minutes every few months if it extends the life of your cowhide rug. Here are our cowhide cleaning tips.

Include your cowhide rug or cowhide ottoman in your normal weekly cleaning routine; simply vacuum with the vacuum head brush down (for hard floors) and if possible the suction reduced to the rug setting. Vacuum from the middle to the outside edge following the direction of the hair.

Or give your rug a really good shake outside to remove dust and small dry particles of dirt. Getting that dirt away from the hair follicle reduces wear and tear.

Brushing with a hard plastic bristle brush or broom helps to keep the hair soft and fluffy and to remove dirt, sand, and larger dirt particles trapped in the hair.

Did you know that you should...

Rotate your cowhide rug or move it to a different location from time to time so that it wears more evenly. Give some areas a rest to extend the lifespan of the rug.

DO NOT wash in a washing machine, hose down (unless this is a last resort), or dry clean a cowhide rug.

What do you do if something spills on your hide?

For common spills or accidents like red wine, coffee, tea, juice, food, soup, urine, faeces, and vomit - soak up or wipe up spills with a paper towel or sponge as soon as possible.

Remove any solid matter with the blunt edge of the knife by scraping gently in the direction of the hair. Try not to push nasty accidents deeper into the leather. The Gorgeous Creatures cowhide cleaner is antibacterial.

Lightly spray your cowhide rug with the Gorgeous Creatures cowhide cleaner treating a small area at a time; complete one section before starting the next.

Wipe the hair vigorously in any direction with a damp (but not wet) clean cloth to spread the cleaner. Do not soak the hide or get it too wet.

Rinse the cloth/sponge in fresh water and wipe again to remove any residual cleaning solution until clean. Repeat if necessary.

Wipe the whole hide with a clean dry towel to remove as much moisture as possible. Dry the cowhide flat and slowly away from direct heat and sun.

Our cowhide cleaner is NOT a stain remover which is why it is so important to treat spills immediately.

On a sunny day, you can put your cowhide outside with the underside facing the sun to freshen for an hour or two, to air out and remove moisture.

If you need to store a cowhide rug this is the best way.

Store cowhides in a clean dry place, preferably rolled around a tube core and then wrapped with a clean cotton sheet to protect from dust and dirt while in storage.

If the rug becomes musty after being in storage clean the whole hide with our Gorgeous Creatures cowhide cleaner which contains special ingredients that inhibit mould & mildew growth.

Protecting light-coloured cowhides from dirt

We recommend that white, cream, beige or other light-coloured rugs be sprayed with a light coating of colourless waterproof spray when they are new.

Seeing is believing - this video demonstration shows the cowhide cleaner in action with common household spills including red wine, butter, oil, jam, tomato sauce, food, cat food, and urine.

Visit Gorgeous Creatures while in the Hawkes Bay
8 Otatara Rd, Taradale, Napier 4112 (by appointment please call or text first)
Kirsty Mason Ph 027 222 6230
showroom@gorgeouscreatures.co.nz 
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