Sheepskin rug cleaning in Toronto
Yes, we do sheepskin rug cleaning in Toronto too: a light wash and a hand clean. A sheepskin is wool on a leather back, not a woven rug, so we see yours first and explain what’s possible.
About sheepskin
Wool on a leather back
Not a woven rug, so it needs different care.
A sheepskin rug is a sheep’s skin, tanned with the wool left on. There’s no weave and no knots: the wool is still rooted in the leather.
The leather is the delicate part. Soaking, hot water or heat can leave it stiff, shrunken or cracked once it dries. The Canadian Conservation Institute notes that water harms most skins and leathers.
Makers don’t all agree, either.
What makers say
First things first
Each sheepskin is judged on its own
Then you’ll know what we can and can’t do.
No two sheepskins are alike. The wool may be short and dense, long and silky, or tightly curled, so we start by going over yours carefully. We explain what’s possible and what isn’t, and nothing happens until you’ve agreed. Only then does your sheepskin get its light wash and hand clean.
If a shake and a brush are all it needs, we’ll say so, and save you the trouble.
When you text us photos, or at pickup, mention anything you’ve noticed, like these:
Things to mention
Spills and stains
Spills, pet accidents or old stains.
Care label
The maker’s care label, if there is one.
At home
Spills, matting and shedding at home
Go easy on water, heat and pulling.
Spill something? Lift off anything solid with a spoon, then press a dry white cloth onto the spot to soak up the rest. If it needs more, dab it with a cloth that’s only slightly damp. Don’t pour water on it or scrub, because rubbing wet wool can mat it. Let it air-dry flat, away from heaters, fireplaces and direct sun.
Unless the label says it can go in the washing machine, keep it out of the washer and the dryer.
Tangles and shedding
New skins shed
A little at first; it settles down over time.
Clumps or bare spots
Bare spots don’t grow back. Call us first.
Pet accident on a sheepskin? Soak up what you can with a dry cloth, keep water off it, and call (416) 939-7571 before trying any cleaner. We’ll take a look and say what’s realistic.
Everyday care
Looking after a sheepskin
Kinds of sheepskin
Lambskin, Icelandic, Mongolian and more
Wool on leather, but very different wool.
Real sheepskin is wool on leather, but the wool varies a lot, and lambskin rug cleaning follows the same rules. Here are the common kinds and what to watch for.
Not sure which you have? Part the wool down to the roots. On a real sheepskin it’s rooted in leather; on faux, the fibres sit in a fabric base. Or text a photo of the front and the back to (416) 939-7571.
Faux is polyester or acrylic on a fabric base, with no leather. See synthetic rug cleaning.
The common kinds
Patchwork
Sewn skins, sometimes on fabric. Watch seams.
Dyed
Can fade in strong sun, and may run if wet.
Pickup and delivery
Free pickup, and the final say is yours
Nothing goes ahead without your OK.
We collect your sheepskin and bring it back, and pickup and delivery are free. What it needs is worked out with you first, and nothing extra is done without your say-so.
Text a few photos and the size to (416) 939-7571 and we’ll come back with our thoughts. Once we’ve looked, it’s your call: decide against it and we simply bring it back.
Or talk it through with us: call, or book a free pickup online.
Questions
Sheepskin questions
The questions we’re asked most often, answered the way we would on the phone.
Can a sheepskin be washed like a regular rug?
Not in quite the same way. A woven rug is washed all the way through, but soaking or drying with heat can leave a sheepskin’s leather stiff, shrunken or cracked. So sheepskin rug cleaning means a light wash and a hand clean. Some skins are labelled for a gentle wash and others aren’t, so we check the label and the leather, then explain your options.
Can I put my sheepskin in the washing machine?
Only if its care label says so. Many labels don’t, and soaking, tumbling and a hot dryer can harden the leather and mat the wool. For everyday care, shake it, brush it gently and blot spills. If yours needs nothing more than that, we’ll say so.
What about faux sheepskin?
Faux sheepskin is usually polyester or acrylic on a fabric backing, with no leather underneath, so it isn’t cared for like a real sheepskin. Our synthetic rug cleaning page covers man-made rugs. If you’re not sure which you have, part the wool down to the roots, or text us a photo.
Why is my sheepskin shedding?
A little shedding is normal, especially on a newer skin, and gentle brushing helps. Wool that comes out in clumps or leaves bare leather is different, and bare spots won’t grow back. Call us before cleaning it, and you’ll get an honest answer about what to expect.
How much does sheepskin rug cleaning cost in Toronto?
Sheepskin cleaning is priced skin by skin: text photos and the size to (416) 939-7571 for an estimate, and the price we agree on is the price you pay. Pickup and delivery are free, and if you change your mind after our look, it comes back at no charge.
Got a sheepskin that needs some attention?
Text us a photo, call (416) 939-7571, or book a free pickup online. Once we’ve seen your sheepskin, you’ll hear exactly what we can and can’t do for it.