Reindeer Hide Rug Care

A reindeer hide rug is one of the most luxurious natural floor coverings you can bring into a home — extraordinarily soft underfoot, with the deepest pile of any hide we stock and natural markings that make every single pelt one of a kind. Like all genuine animal hides, though, a reindeer rug rewards a little thoughtful care. Looked after properly, it’ll stay in beautiful condition for many years; treated like a synthetic rug, it won’t.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to keep your reindeer hide looking its best, from day-one shedding through to long-term storage. If you’ve not yet bought your rug and you’re still weighing up which pelt to go for, our companion piece on how to choose the right reindeer hide for your interior is a good place to start first.

Understanding Your Reindeer Hide

Before we get into the practical care, it helps to understand what makes a reindeer pelt different from other hide rugs. Each individual strand of reindeer hair is hollow — an evolutionary adaptation that insulates the animal against Arctic winters. It’s the reason the pile feels so plush and warm, and also the reason the fur is more delicate than, say, a cowhide.

That hollow structure means reindeer hides are best treated as aesthetic statement pieces rather than hard-working floor rugs. They look spectacular draped across a sofa, layered over the foot of a bed, used as a bedside rug, or thrown over an armchair — but they’re not designed for hallways, kitchens, or anywhere they’ll be constantly walked on.

The tanning process used on most reindeer hide rugs preserves the natural amino acids in the skin, and a light silicone finish gives the fur short-term water resistance — useful, but not invincible. If you’d like to see the range of hides we currently have available, you can explore our reindeer hide collection here — each one individually photographed so you can see the unique markings.

Good to Know: Reindeer hides are an ethical by-product of the long-established Scandinavian and Sámi reindeer husbandry industry. Nothing is wasted, and each hide carries the natural markings, tonal variation, and individuality of the animal it came from. If you’d like to read more about the sourcing side of things, we’ve covered it in detail in our piece on whether reindeer rugs are ethical.

The First Few Weeks: Initial Shedding

When your reindeer hide first arrives, expect some shedding. This is completely normal and happens with every reindeer pelt — it’s simply the loose, weaker hairs working their way free. It’s not a fault and it’s not a sign of a poor-quality hide.

To manage it:

Take the rug outside every few days and give it a gentle shake
Avoid brushing aggressively during the first couple of weeks
Don’t be tempted to vacuum it (more on that shortly)

After two to three weeks, the shedding will calm down dramatically and become only the occasional stray hair.

Everyday Care

Day-to-day maintenance of a reindeer hide is genuinely simple — there’s no special equipment required, just a little routine.

Shake it out regularly — preferably outdoors. This is the single most effective form of maintenance.
Brush lightly with a plastic-bristled brush — this keeps the pile soft, lifts surface dust, and helps the hide look its best.
Air it occasionally — drape it over a washing line or clothes airer in a shaded, well-ventilated spot. This freshens the hide and helps eliminate any natural scent.
Rotate if it’s on the floor — turning the rug occasionally evens out wear and exposure to light.

Care Note: Never vacuum a reindeer hide rug. The suction pulls out far more hair than gentle shaking ever would, and a beater bar will damage the pile permanently.

Where to Place Your Reindeer Rug (and Where Not To)

Placement is one of the biggest factors in how long your hide lasts. The hollow-fibre fur that makes reindeer hides so soft also makes them vulnerable to heat, moisture, and constant pressure.

Ideal Spots

Draped over a sofa, wingback chair, or bedroom bench
At the foot of a bed, or as a bedside floor rug where foot traffic is light
Layered over a larger jute, wool, or flat-weave rug for textural contrast
Across an ottoman or window seat

For more styling inspiration, our guide to incorporating reindeer rugs into modern interior design walks through some current looks worth borrowing.

Places to Avoid

In front of fires, wood burners, or radiators — extreme heat causes the fur to shed excessively
Over underfloor heating — the constant warmth dries out the leather backing
In direct sunlight, conservatories, or sun-drenched rooms — strong light fades the colour and damages the skin
Bathrooms, utility rooms, or damp environments — moisture encourages mould and rots the backing
Hallways, kitchens, or any high-traffic route — repeated treading breaks the hair

Cleaning Spills and Stains

Accidents happen. The silicone finish on a reindeer hide gives you a small window to react before liquids soak in — so speed matters more than anything else.

Liquid Spills

Blot immediately with a clean, absorbent cloth or kitchen roll — don’t rub, which works the liquid deeper into the pile
If a stain remains, mix a tiny amount of mild shampoo with lukewarm water
Dab gently at the stain — never saturate the hide
Rinse the area with a clean cloth and lukewarm water only
Allow to dry naturally, away from direct sunlight, radiators, or any heat source

For coloured liquids — red wine, coffee, beetroot — be realistic: you’ll lift most of it if you act fast, but a faint shadow may remain.

Solid Spills

Lift away as much as possible while it’s still wet, but don’t grind it into the pile
Let any residue dry completely
Once dry, brush out gently with a plastic-bristled brush

Should You Wash the Whole Rug?

Honestly, no — not if you can avoid it. Washing dries out the skin permanently and the hide loses its suppleness. If a full clean is genuinely needed, professional dry cleaning is the safer route, but only with a specialist who has direct experience with animal skin rugs. We can’t be held responsible for damage caused by cleaning processes carried out elsewhere, so do seek professional advice before committing.

Drying a Wet Reindeer Hide

If your hide does get genuinely wet — not just a spill, but a proper soaking — don’t panic, and don’t try to speed up the drying.

Lay it flat in a well-ventilated room, away from radiators and direct heat
Bright, indirect natural light helps both dry and naturally sanitise the hide
Never use a hairdryer, tumble dryer, or place it on a heated surface
Once dry, give it a gentle shake and brush through with a plastic brush to restore the pile

Reindeer Hides and Pets

I’ll be straight with you: cats and reindeer rugs don’t mix. The deep, burrowable pile is irresistible to feline paws, and a determined kneading session can do permanent damage. Dogs are less destructive but still tend to dig, shed onto, and compress the fur.

If you’ve a much-loved cat or an enthusiastic spaniel, place the hide somewhere they can’t access it — draped over a high-backed chair rather than left on the bedroom floor.

That New-Hide Smell

All natural hides have a faint characteristic scent when new — it’s simply the tanning process, and it disappears on its own within a few weeks. Airing the rug outdoors in a shaded spot speeds the process along nicely.

Storing a Reindeer Hide Rug

If you’re packing your rug away seasonally, during a house move, or for any longer stretch:

Store somewhere cool, dry, and well-ventilated — never damp, never warm
Avoid plastic packaging for any extended period; condensation builds up and the hide creases badly
Roll loosely rather than fold tightly, fur side facing outwards where possible
Keep out of direct sunlight even in storage

When the rug comes back out, any crease marks will fall out within a few days. Give it a good shake outside and a light brush through with a plastic-bristled brush, and the lustre will return on its own.

Quick-Reference Care Summary

Do	Don’t
Shake outside regularly	Vacuum the rug
Brush lightly with a plastic brush	Place near fires, radiators, or underfloor heating
Blot spills immediately	Wash the full hide
Air in shaded, ventilated spots	Leave in direct sunlight
Store cool, dry, and loosely rolled	Store in plastic or damp spaces
Use only mild shampoo and lukewarm water on stains	Use hot water, harsh detergents, or hairdryers

Looking After Your Hide for the Long Term

A well-cared-for reindeer hide rug will easily last 10 to 15 years, often considerably longer — they’re genuine investment pieces, the kind of natural floor covering that becomes part of the character of a room rather than something you replace every few seasons. A little routine attention is all it really takes.

For more answers on sizing, sourcing, and choosing the right pelt, have a look through our reindeer rugs FAQ page, or browse our full collection of reindeer hide rugs to see what’s currently in stock.