Cowhide rugs aren’t just floor coverings — they’re statement pieces. Natural, textured, and completely one-of-a-kind, these rugs add warmth and style to any space, whether it’s a cozy reading nook, a modern living room, or a stylish office. But with their unique charm comes a unique challenge: cleaning them properly.
Cowhide is leather. And leather doesn’t respond well to moisture, harsh chemicals, or vigorous scrubbing. So how do you keep a cowhide rug looking its best without damaging its natural beauty? The good news is, you can do a lot at home. The better news? When in doubt, professionals have the tools and knowledge to clean them safely — and bring them back to life.
Let’s walk through what you can do yourself, what to avoid, and why calling in the experts can make all the difference.
Can You Clean a Cowhide Rug at Home?
Yes — with caution.
Cowhide rugs can handle light, routine maintenance at home. Think: shaking out dust, spot cleaning, and gentle vacuuming. These simple practices go a long way in keeping your rug fresh between professional cleanings.
But here’s the catch: cowhide is natural leather with hair still attached. That means it reacts differently than synthetic rugs or even wool rugs. If you use too much water, rub too hard, or reach for the wrong cleaning product, you risk ruining the hide — permanently.
So while you can clean a cowhide rug at home, you need to know your limits. Home care is about maintaining, not deep cleaning.
Our Rug Plant Manager & Master Rug Cleaner is cleaning a Cowhide Rug
What You Can Do to Keep It Fresh
Here are the best DIY methods to care for your cowhide rug, safely and effectively:
1. Shake It Out Like the Old Days
Sometimes, the simplest methods are the best. One of the easiest ways to remove loose dirt and dust from your rug is to take it outside and give it a gentle shake. This works best if done once a week or so, especially in high-traffic areas.
Pro tip: If your rug is large or in a spot where moving it is tricky, gently lift each corner and beat the underside with your hand or a soft broom to loosen dirt.
2. Vacuum with Love (and the Right Tools)
Yes, you can vacuum a cowhide rug — but only if you do it right.
- Skip the rotating brush. The beater bar on most vacuum heads is too aggressive for cowhide and can pull out hair.
- Use a suction-only attachment. Ideally, a brushless hose or upholstery attachment.
- Vacuum in the direction of the hair. Think of it like brushing a dog — always with the grain, never against it.
Vacuuming once a week is usually enough. In areas with lots of dust or pets, you may want to do it more often.
3. Treat Spills ASAP
Accidents happen — it’s how you respond that counts.
- Blot, don’t rub. If you spill something, grab a clean, dry cloth and gently blot the area. Avoid pressing too hard.
- Oil-based stains? Sprinkle a bit of cornstarch or baking soda directly on the spot. Let it sit for a few hours to absorb the oils, then vacuum gently in the direction of the hair.
- Liquid spills: After blotting, you can use a barely damp cloth (with plain water) to lightly dab the area — but do this only if necessary, and let it air dry fully afterward.
Important: Never saturate the rug. Cowhide doesn’t like water.
4. Brush It Back to Beauty
Got patches of hair that look dull, matted, or just messy? A soft-bristled brush (like a horsehair brush or even a clean pet grooming brush) can help restore the natural texture and shine.
Again, brush with the direction of the hair, not against it. Think gentle grooming, not scrubbing.
What You Should Never Do
As much as there are things you can do, there are several things you should absolutely avoid when cleaning a cowhide rug:
❌ Don’t Soak It
Water is leather’s worst enemy. Excess moisture can cause the hide to stiffen, curl, warp, or even rot. Always clean sparingly with water, and never leave your rug damp.
❌ Never Machine Wash or Dry
We’ve seen it before: someone throws a cowhide rug in the washing machine, and what comes out barely resembles the original. The high spin cycle, water, and heat can all destroy the hide and hair.
Same goes for dryers. Heat + leather = disaster.
❌ Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Carpet Cleaners
Cowhide rugs are not your average carpet. Using store-bought carpet cleaners — especially those with bleach, alcohol, or ammonia — will dry out the hide and damage the hair.
If you must use a cleaning product at home, stick to very mild, pH-neutral soaps or consult a professional first.
❌ Keep It Away from Direct Heat and Sunlight
Natural light can fade the hide over time, and direct heat can dry it out, causing the leather to crack. Try to keep your rug in a cool, shaded area — especially during hot summer months.
❌ Don’t Scrub
Scrubbing may seem like a good way to remove dirt, but it actually pushes debris deeper into the hide and can loosen hair. Stick to blotting, dabbing, or gentle brushing.
When It’s Time to Call the Experts
Despite your best efforts, there are times when professional cleaning is the best — or only — option.
Here are some signs it’s time to bring in the pros:
- A persistent odour that doesn’t go away with home cleaning.
- A stain that resists gentle treatments.
- Discoloration or faded spots.
- You haven’t cleaned it in over a year and it’s lost its shine.
- You just want it to look fresh and flawless again.
Cowhide rugs aren’t just functional — they’re sentimental. They’re often investments, heirlooms, or carefully chosen statement pieces. Treating them with professional care can extend their life for years (even decades).
What Professional Cleaning Looks Like
At Aero Carpet Services, we’ve cleaned and restored thousands of delicate, natural rugs — including cowhide, sheepskin, and other specialty hides. Our process is gentle, effective, and safe for even the most sensitive materials.
Here’s what we do:
1. Detailed Inspection
Every rug gets a hands-on assessment to identify stains, weak spots, wear, and any signs of damage.
2. Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Products
We never use harsh chemicals or soaps that dry out the hide. Our cleaning agents are safe for natural leathers — and for kids and pets.
3. Specialized Cleaning for Cowhide
Cowhide requires a custom approach. We combine controlled moisture techniques, professional grooming, and drying systems that preserve the natural texture.
4. Controlled Drying Environment
After cleaning, we dry the rug in a temperature- and humidity-controlled space. No shrinking, warping, or cracking.
5. Final Brushing and Inspection
The final step? A soft brushing to restore the hair’s natural direction and shine, followed by a quality control inspection to make sure your rug looks its absolute best.
Why It’s Worth It
You chose a cowhide rug for a reason — the elegance, the texture, the uniqueness. These rugs tell a story. And like any natural product, they deserve care that respects what they are.
Professional cleaning doesn’t just remove stains. It restores your rug’s softness, scent, structure, and longevity.
Think of it like this: would you take your leather jacket to the laundromat? Probably not. Your cowhide rug deserves the same thoughtful treatment.
Bonus Tips: How to Make Your Cowhide Rug Last Even Longer
Here are a few extra habits that can help you protect your rug over the long haul:
- Rotate it regularly to avoid uneven wear or sun fading.
- Keep pets off the rug if possible (or at least well-groomed).
- Use rug pads to prevent sliding and to add extra cushioning.
- Avoid damp environments, like bathrooms or basements.
Store it flat if you need to put it away — never folded.
Your Cowhide Rug Deserves This
At the end of the day, your rug is more than just a design piece. It’s a part of your home. And just like any natural material, it thrives with proper care.
Whether you need a quick refresh or a full deep-clean, trust the professionals who treat your rug like a one-of-a-kind treasure — because that’s exactly what it is.
Ready to Show Your Rug Some Love?
Let us help you protect what makes your home special.
At Aero Carpet Services Ltd., we specialize in cleaning delicate, natural fiber rugs — including cowhide. We’ll pick up your rug, clean it with the care it deserves, and deliver it back looking fresh, soft, and revitalized.
Your rug deserves it.
And so do you.