Asked on May 16, 2017

How do you clean a leather rag rug...should I put into machine on gen?

Hud23075182
by Hud23075182
@ auction, I bought a leather rug, looks like those fabric rag rugs, and now wondered how I would clean it.... in machine on a gentle wash; wash by hand with "shampoo" or " leather cleaner"; or any ideas? I'm concerned about getting it wet, because I was told it would REALLY smell..
All ideas gratefully received. icon
detail view of colours and construction
the whole rug.
  11 answers
  • Shoshana Shoshana on May 16, 2017

    What a beautiful find! Mix 5% white vinegar and 95% water in a spray bottle. Working in small areas at a time, lightly spray the rug with the solution and wipe that area with a soft sponge. Dry the rug immediately with a clean, dry rag.

  • Hud23075182 Hud23075182 on May 16, 2017

    Thanks for your reply.

    Sounds like a good plan: should it be a gentle misting? or soaking?

  • Ann Marie Ann Marie on May 16, 2017

    I don't tbink I would use vinegar on it -- it might strip out the natural oils in the leather. Getting leather wet is not really a problem, after all it's an animal hide, and animals get rained on, are bathed, etc without harm. If it's been done properly, water should just bead up and roll off -- unless it's suede, which is a whole 'nother story. I would use either a good leather cleaner (eg Lexol -- this has been used by horse people for years to clean and protect leather tack) or a simple glycerin soap (sometimes called saddle soap). Either will clean the leather without stripping it (no rinsing required), and will replace the moisture at the same time, which is the secret to keeping leather soft and supple. From what I can see in the photos, it doesn't appear to be that dirty, so shouldn't be too big a job. Good luck!

    • See 2 previous
    • Ann Marie Ann Marie on May 17, 2017

      Yeah, I understand all that, thanks.

  • Lsu6847118 Lsu6847118 on May 17, 2017

    I have always used saddle soap on my fine leather purses and shoes and even on baseball gloves. You can go to a feed store or pet store to get it. It can also be found where shoe polish is sold.

    • Hud23075182 Hud23075182 on May 17, 2017

      Thank you. Another vote for saddle soap. I live in the country so a feed store is close by! Saddle soap it is!

  • Tracey Dean Tracey Dean on May 17, 2017

    I would take it to a drycleaner where they do leather jacket cleaning etc.

  • Hud23075182 Hud23075182 on May 17, 2017

    Hi Tracey. I'd thought of dry cleaning. and after signing a waiver in case it gets "hiccupped", or the tassel ends get pulled off...... it is still > $75.00 And that is considered a good price. So I am thinking saddle soap and elbow grease is my best solution so far.

  • Rachael Aguinaga Rachael Aguinaga on Jun 09, 2020

    What did you end up using, and did it work? I have the same type of rug and need to clean it

  • LornaLou LornaLou on Mar 16, 2024

    I have one too. It’s tricky because the leather and suede side of the pieces both show.


    waiting to see if anything worked for you.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 16, 2024

    Get a leather cleaner from an auto parts and follow directions, when done, I would use a leather conditioner.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 16, 2024

    I don't have a leather rug myself, but if I had, I would probably try steaming it or maybe send to dry cleaners that specialize in Leather!

  • Betsy Betsy on Mar 16, 2024

    Hi Hud: Avoid putting it in the washing machine. Depending on what the stain is, will determine what to use to clean it. I'd start with warm water and liquid Dawn and wipe it gently with a sponge and use a clean sponge to wipe it with clean warm water. Here are 2 sites that should help.


    https://leatherprofy.com/how-to-clean-a-leather-rug/


    https://leatherek.com/how-to-clean-leather-rug/