how do I wash a sheep skin rug?

Question

what kind of detergent

Answer 1

Sheepskin Care
Wool has the natural ability to "Bounce Back". A vigorous shake will
restore the original appearance of the wool packaged to send to you.

Use short wool rugs in passageways etc, and long wool rugs where foot
traffic is less frequent. If the wool becomes matted it may be brushed up
with a steel comb or pet wire brush.

The rugs and covers can be cleaned in a washing machine, but preferably by
hand using warm water and soap extract or a mild detergent. A mild
detergent specifically for wool products is best - Do not use enzymes.

Do not agitate for any longer than four minutes, as the wool may felt. DO
NOT SPIN DRY. Dry out slowly out of the sun. If the underside of the skin
becomes hard this can be "Staked" to soften it when the leather is almost,
but not quite dry. The staking can be done by using a square ended stick,
which is rubbed firmly along the skin, working to the outside edges from
the center. This action loosens up the leather fibers which tend to knit
together while drying.

Alternatively your sheepskin can be cleaned by a professional drycleaner
who specializes in laundering leather products.
Care Instructions
Quick Reference Guide
Machine Wash in warm water (minimum wash cycle)
or Hand wash in warm water

Normal Spin with Fleece facing out
Do not Bleach
Do not iron
Do not tumble dry - Dry flat in the shade
Dry Cleanable (40 degrees C) (110 degrees F)
Use approved neutral or mild wool wash
Avoid direct heat.
Brush with a wire brush (or pet brush) to restore
Do not use bleach, detergents or enzyme washing products

Answer 2

Fill up a bathtub with lukewarm water and squirt in some good dog shampoo (no/few chemical additives, but with lanolin). Use a sponge to work up a lather. Rinse a little (but don't rinse out all the lanolin). If you have a home-style carpet shampooer you might want to suck out the excess water with it... or you could use a shop vac to do that quite well. Use a bunch of old towels to soak up any excess residue. Dry flat. Once it is almost totally dry, spray a mist of highly anti-microbial, refreshing essential oils-- 10-20 drops per cup of filtered water-- directly on the rug... this will kill any mildew/bacteria and make everything smell great.
Go here to get your pure unadulterated essential oils: http://tinyurl.com/ykxyuk

HealthiaCynthia
Certified Comprehensive Coach
Moderator for My Miracle Mondays
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/My_Monday_Miracles/

Answer 3

I use to hang my Flokati rug up on the line and spray it with a water hose. Then I'd let it dry on the same line. Worked for me. You could all so try some Wool-light. The rug gets very heavy when wet so make sure you have a strong line.