Sheepskins and flokati are a washable rug style so when they start to show signs of overuse you can clean them yourself or get a professional in to do it for you. If you only have one piece that is in need of attention it makes sense to do it yourself as it will save money, hassle, and you will be safe in the knowledge that the job has been done properly.

Here is how to wash them:

• Shake the dust out and vacuum well.
• Don’t use a vacuum that has rollers or brushes as this may cause unnecessary shedding.
• Soak them in cold water with a mild wool soap.
• Scrub by hand or wash in a machine if the area rug is small enough.
• Shag rug cleaning is not difficult if you have a large washer, if not wash them in the bathtub or outdoors.
• Do not use hot water to wash wool shag rug designs. Use only cool water.
• Shake the shag many times to get all the water and loosened dirt out…
• Rewash if it hasn’t come clean.
• Shake some more and then lay to dry in the sun.
• If the shag rug is colored or dyed, even with natural dyes, especially in bright colors, then do not leave for a long time in the sun. The sun will bleach the rugs. Lay them in the shade where they can dry very well.
• Do not walk on damp area rugs, carpet or shag rugs because that will make them become matted and flat.
• White shag rug styles may look as if they can be bleached to brighten them but don’t do it. A wool shag rug has natural oil from the sheep, called lanolin. Bleach will destroy this and will make the shag area rug appear dull.

A round shag rug that has a heavy backing or is too large to wash in a machine may be washed in an industrial machine that some dry-cleaners or commercial laundries have. Just do not get it dry-cleaned with chemicals if you are sending it out for cleaning. A wool shag rug will not be nice after being subjected to dry cleaners’ chemicals.

A felted shag rug may also be washed by hand, but take extra care.

Leather shag rugs cannot be washed but flokati shag rug and cotton and wool chenille can. Be extra careful with very cheap shag area rugs and read the labels before cleaning. If they are not wool, or cotton they may also be able to be washed, but just make sure because cheap shag may shed easily and end up being floppy looking rags. Sometimes it’s best to just shake them or vacuum often.