How to Remove Creases From a Hide Rug

Almost every natural hide rug arrives with at least a few creases — it’s simply a consequence of how hides are folded and shipped. The good news? Creases are temporary, and getting rid of them is genuinely straightforward.

Creases tend to show up most in shorter-haired hides like cowhide rugs, goatskin rugs, springbok rugs, and blesbok rugs, where there’s less depth of fur to disguise the fold lines. The larger the hide, the more likely it is to arrive with visible creases — a king-sized cowhide simply has more surface to fold than a smaller piece. Sheepskins and reindeer hides crease less obviously thanks to their longer fleece, but heavier sheepskins can still show fold marks where they’ve been compressed.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the two methods I’d recommend — starting with the gentlest and most reliable, then the faster option for when patience isn’t an option.

Method 1: Let Gravity Do the Work (Recommended)

This is genuinely my preferred method, and the one I’d recommend for almost every hide rug. It’s gentle, foolproof, requires no equipment, and works particularly well for cowhides and heavier sheepskins.

The principle is simple: hides are heavy, and gravity is patient. Hung over a stable horizontal surface, the weight of the hide itself pulls the creases out naturally over a few days. No heat, no risk, no effort.

What to Do

1. Find a suitable horizontal bar — a sturdy railing, a banister, a thick clothes airer rail, a curtain pole between two trestles, or even a sturdy washing line if it’s well tensioned
2. Drape the hide over the bar with the crease lines hanging downwards
3. Position it so the bulk of the weight sits below the worst creases — the more hide that hangs below the fold, the more gravity has to work with
4. Leave for two to three days, ideally somewhere shaded and well-ventilated
5. Check periodically and reposition if needed to target stubborn creases

For larger hides, you might need to reposition the hide once or twice to work different creases through. For very heavy or oversized cowhides, even a few hours of hanging will produce visible improvement.

Stylist’s Tip: If you don’t have a suitable bar indoors, draping your hide over a sturdy outdoor washing line on a dry, overcast day works beautifully — just make sure it’s not in direct sunlight, which can fade the natural colours, and bring it in before any rain.

Method 2: Just Lay It Flat and Wait

If hanging isn’t practical, the simplest option of all is to just let the rug do its thing. Lay it flat on your floor in its intended position, and within a few weeks most creases will work themselves out under the hide’s own weight and the natural relaxation of the leather backing.

This method requires the most patience but the least effort. For minor creases, it’s often all you need. For deeper folds, particularly on larger cowhides or short-haired hides, one of the more active methods below will get you there faster.

Method 3: The Iron and Damp Cloth Technique

If you need to remove creases more quickly — perhaps for a photoshoot, a viewing, or simply because you’re impatient — this method works well for stubborn creases. It’s a little more involved and carries some risk, so do follow the steps carefully.

A word of caution first: only use this method on natural, undyed hides. Don’t use heat on metallic cowhides, animal print cowhides, or any dyed or printed finish, as the heat can damage or lift the surface treatment. For those, stick to the gravity method.

Step-by-Step Iron Method

1. Lay your hide hair-side up on a smooth, heatproof surface — a clean table, ironing board, or section of clean floor
2. Heat your iron to a medium cotton setting — not on its highest setting
3. Place a damp (not wet) tea towel or clean cotton cloth over the crease — the dampness creates gentle steam that softens the leather backing
4. Iron over the damp cloth, working in the direction of the hair lay — never against it. Use light, smooth strokes rather than pressing down hard
5. Lift the cloth and check progress — repeat as needed, re-dampening the cloth between passes if necessary
6. Allow the hide to cool flat before moving it — this lets the leather backing set in its new flat position

Work in short bursts and check often. The iron should never come into direct contact with the hair — always through the damp cloth. If you smell anything burning or notice the hair scorching, stop immediately.

Which Method Should You Use?

What Not to Do

A few quick warnings to keep your rug safe:

• Don’t iron directly onto the hair — always use a damp cloth as a barrier
• Don’t use a steamer or steam mop — too much moisture can warp the leather backing
• Don’t try to heat reindeer hides — the hollow fibre will scorch and shed dramatically
• Don’t iron metallic or printed cowhides — heat damages the surface finish
• Don’t put weights on creases hoping to flatten them — this can actually set the crease permanently
• Don’t panic if creases don’t disappear immediately — natural hides settle over time, and patience is usually rewarded

The Honest Truth About Creases

Almost every new hide rug arrives with some creasing, and almost all of those creases will disappear on their own within a few weeks of being laid flat. If you’re patient, you barely need to do anything. If you’re not, gravity is your best friend, and the iron method is a useful backup for stubborn folds.

One final thought: a few faint lines on a natural hide aren’t a flaw, and they don’t affect the longevity or quality of the rug. They’re simply a temporary feature of any hide that’s been folded for shipping. Settle the rug into its home, give it a little time, and you’ll soon forget the creases were ever there.

If you’d like to explore our full range of hide rugs, you can browse our cowhide collection, our sheepskin rugs, or our reindeer hide rugs. For any questions about caring for your hide, our customer service team are always happy to help at info@hiderugs.co.uk.