HOW TO CLEAN YOUR COWHIDE

 

Include your cowhide rug, calf skin, furniture or pillows in your normal cleaning routine, simply vacuum with the power reduced to the rug setting and the vacuum head brush in the down position or give rugs and cushions a shake outside to remove dust and small dry particles of dirt. Rotate your rug or move to a different location from time to time so that it wears evenly.

You can wipe cowhide smoothly in the direction of the hair with a damp (but not wet) cloth with mild soap and water. Do not soak the hide as it will be too wet. DO NOT wash in a washing machine or dry clean.

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

For common spills like red or white wine, coffee, tea, juice, food, soup, urine and vomit – soak up spills with a paper towel or sponge immediately. Remove solid matter with the blunt edge of knife by scraping gently in the direction of the hair. Then wipe with a damp (but not wet) sponge or cloth using mild soapy solution. You can wipe and rub the hair vigorously in any direction. Finally clean with a damp cloth using diluted 5% white vinegar and 95% water solution, this balances the PH levels and helps to eliminate unpleasant odors.

For oil based stains like fat, grease, lipstick, tar and chewing gum – Remove solid matter with the blunt edge of knife by scraping gently in the direction of the hair. Then apply Eucalyptus oil directly to the affected area on a soft cloth by dabbing gently. Finally wipe with a damp (but not wet) sponge or cloth using a mild soapy solution. You can wipe and rub the hair vigorously in any direction. We cannot guarantee that this will remove your oily stain, but it the best method of trying. This is done at your own risk.

On a sunny day you can put your cowhide outside with the underside facing the sun. Store them in a fresh dry place, preferably rolled around a tube core with a clean cotton sheet to protect from dust and dirt while in storage. We recommend that white, cream, beige or other light colored cowhides be sprayed with a light coating of colorless nubuck and suede water proof spray from a cobbler or shoe shop when they are new. If you clean the cowhide with soap and water you can re-spray the surface again for added protection.