This Is How You Clean a White Fur Rug

A white rug is a great way to spruce up your living room décor, but what happens when it gets dirty? Everyday wear and tear, sticky substances, and spilled foods and drinks can turn your once-stunning rug into a messy eyesore. Fortunately, you can get ahead of this potential pitfall by learning how to clean a white fur rug properly. Here is everything you need to know:

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Materials You Will Need

You do not need any special equipment or materials to clean your fur white rug at home. According to A Classy Fashionista, the following cleaning supplies should do just fine:

Handheld vacuum cleaner or upright cleaner with hose attachment.
Cat brush
Downy Fabric Softener
Sheepskin detergent or mild laundry detergent
Baking soda
Baby shampoo
OxiClean Laundry Stain Remover
Sponge
White cleaning cloth
Clorox Bleach

Basic Care and Cleaning

According to Hunker, real fur has several self-cleaning properties designed to repel stains and dirt. For example, Icelandic sheepskin rugs with long fibers usually contain lanolin, which keeps away debris and dirt. You can shake these furry rugs to dislodge any dirt that may have settled on them. Unfortunately, real fur rags are not totally dirt-proof. You will need to clean them from time to time. Basic rug care involves shaking the rug outside regularly to remove dirt and debris. You can also fluff it with a sheepskin brush to un-matte the fury and remove stuck-on debris and tangles. As a rule of thumb, do this every few weeks to keep your rug looking clean and beautiful.

Spot Cleaning Faux Fur

Sometimes, you will spill something on one area of your rug and cause a strain. When this happens, you do not need to clean the entire rug or get rid of it. You can perform a spot cleaning to remove the stain. Here are the steps you will need to take:

Immediately you make the stain, use a paper towel to clean it up. Soak up as much of the substance as you can as fast as possible. This will reduce the severity and area of staining.
Apply half a tablespoon of mild laundry detergent to a white towel.
Use the towel to rub the stain in a circular motion. Start on the outside of the stain and work the towel toward the middle.
If the stain on the rug persists, perform a spot test on the rug’s corner with OxiClean. If it reacts well, add OxiClean to the towel and work it into the spot.
When the stain lifts, rinse the towel in warm water and rub it over the area again to eliminate soap residues that could further stain the rug.
Place the rug outside on a flat surface so it can air dry.

Full Cleanup

In some cases, your rug is completely stained or dirty, and a spot clean will not do much good. Such situations may call for a full wash. Before you get started, read the care instructions that came with your rug and follow them when washing the rug. You can also visit the website of the company that made the rug and read their care manual. If you cannot find this information, follow these steps:

Tip: Never wash an old rug that is losing fur by hand or in a machine, as it could lose even more fur.

Step 1: Vacuum or Shake the Rug

Take your rug outside and shake it several times to remove any loose debris or dirt that may have settled in the fibers. Alternatively, run a vacuum over the rug to dislodge debris. Always run the vacuum in the direction of the grain to prevent tangles from forming.

Step 2: Soak the Rug

Next, fill your bathtub or sink with lukewarm water and pour in a tablespoon of mild laundry detergent. Set the rug into the water and swish it around gently with your hand, shaking it regularly to remove any materials lodged in the furs. Avoid wiping or rubbing the rug as this could cause knots and matting. After several minutes of agitating the rug, leave it to soak for between 10 and 30 minutes.

Step 3: Rinse with Warm Water

How long you soak your rug will depend on how soiled it is. If you feel that it is clean, drain the bathtub or sink and refill it with lukewarm water. Shake the rug again to remove any soap residue from the furs but avoid wringing or squeezing the fibers. When you are done, roll the rug tightly and squeeze out the water until it is fairly dry.

Cornstarch Cleaning Method

Spot cleaning with detergent is highly effective, but over time, it can strip away the natural oils and lanolin in your rug and make it more susceptible to dirt. This is why you should only ever use mild laundry detergent or baby shampoo and OxiClean only in dire situations. Alternatively, you can use the cornstarch cleaning method to spot clean your rug. Simply spritz the stained area with warm water, sprinkle cornstarch over the water, and use your fingers to work the mixture into the spot. You can then air dry your rug and brush away the cornstarch later.

Tip: Spritz only enough warm water on the rug to wet the fibers without soaking the skin underneath.

Drying Your Fur Rug

Whether you are spot cleaning your white fur rug or performing a full wash, you will need to dry it before bringing it back to your living room. Keep it away from sunlight and other heat sources that could damage the fibers and lay it down on a flat surface, preferably on top of white towels. Use a wool brush or wire-bristled fur brush to brush the rug while it is still slightly damp, then once more when it dries.

Conclusion

A nice fur rug will bring a chic aesthetic to your living room or bedroom and is well worth the investment. Sadly, these rugs can get dirty and stained and take away from your décor rather than add to it. This is why learning how to clean a white fur rug is a crucial part of owning one. According to Home Décor Bliss, remember to be very careful so that you do not damage your rug while cleaning it. Always consider the type of cleaning it needs, its material, and care instructions before you get started.

You can also read:

This Is How You Clean a White Fur Rug

Materials You Will Need

Basic Care and Cleaning

Spot Cleaning Faux Fur