The do’s & dont’s on how to clean cowhide

Spilt something on your cowhide cowgirl? The good news is that cowhide leather is one of the most versatile and easiest fabrics to clean largely due to the natural oils present within the hide protecting it from spills and stains. 

These simple steps on how to clean cowhide are just as relevant for cowhide rugs as they are for cowhide leather bags so get ready…here we go!!

How to clean cowhide in 5 simple steps…

1. Clean the spill first
   If you haven’t already and the stain is a liquid spill, quickly spot brush the affected area with a paper towel. If the stain is more solid, use a blunt object like a butter knife to scrape the contents off in the same direction of the hide (this will ensure it doesn’t get deeper and make the job harder to clean)
   
2. Remove any dust
   Take a soft new brush (don’t use an old brush, you could do more damage than you already have) like an upholstery brush and gently brush the hide in the same direction that the fur is sitting to first remove any dust and grime present in the under-layer.
   Cowgirl tip: Apply a bit of baby powder on the hide before brushing. This will help to soften the fur and make it more tame to brush
   
3. Apply a cleaner product
   Make up some cleaning solution or purchase a high quality cowhide cleaner product. If you use a cleaner product make sure you do a patch test and just apply it to a small area first to ensure it doesn’t ruin your hide.
   Cowgirl tip: You can create a simple mild cleansing solution by mixing 5% vinegar with 95% water in a spray bottle.
   
4. Clean gently
   Take a damp sponge (not wet) and lightly rub backwards and forwards against the hair and then in the direction of the hair. Some stubborn stains might require that you need to do this step a couple times before you remove it all.
   
5. Give the rug plenty of time to dry.
   You are best to hang it outside where fresh air will work it’s magic. Avoid putting it in the dryer or using a blowdryer to try and expedite the process, the best way is just let the sunshine dry your cowhide as nature intended.
   Cowgirl tip: Try not to put it in direct sunlight for too long as this could change the colour of your hide.

What not to do

• Don’t use a really wet cloth or water
  Water causes the hide to stick or bond, which could ultimately leave the hide dry and stiff.
• Use only quality, fabric specific cleaners
  Do not use products that could harm the hide including anything with petroleum or mineral oils as they can dry out and damage the rug over time.
• Don’t use harsh cleaning chemicals
  Cowhide is a natural fabric, and therefore using anything other than a cleaner made specific for the fabric will only cause damage to the look and texture of your item
• Don’t machine wash
  It will likely ruin the texture of your hide and the colours will likely run.

So there you have it, some simple steps on how to clean cowhide to make sure you keep your products looking as good as new.

Good luck with the clean, you got this!
Leave a comment if you have any questions or if we can help you with anything further. Or you can contact us.

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