FAQ's + Hide Care
Yes. Each cowhide rug is photographed individually. What you see on screen is what you will receive.
No. The calf skins are not photographed individually. It will be similar to what you see on screen but not exactly the same.
Calfskins – New Zealand
Reindeer - Finland
Cowhides – Brazil
The reason we source the cowhides from Brazil is due to their very high standard of tanning fibre pelts. The cowhides are always well trimmed to a pleasing shape, the coat is glossy and the rich colour tones and markings from their exotic cattle breeds are appealing to the eye. The pelts are split to 3-4ml, so the hide is soft and supple and we are then able to use it create beautiful pieces of furniture and it also ensures the floor rugs sit flat on the floor and the edges will not curl.
We measure from the longest and widest points of the cowhide.
It is preferable to roll rather than fold your cowhide if you are storing it for a long period. If your cowhide has a crease, place the hide side down and steam iron over the suede with a clean damp tea towel.
Every day dust: Cowhides and calfskins can be vacuumed on a low setting, however, the quickest and most effective way of removing dust is vigorously shake outside.
Spills: Remove any solid matter and soak up excess moisture with a paper towel, then wipe the hair fibre with a damp cloth. If the spill has an odour then use a mild soapy solution. For any dried spills that have left a residue then wipe the fibre with diluted white vinegar solution - 5% white vinegar and 91% water.
Oil spills: For oil based spills wipe excess with blunt utensil in direction of hair, gently apply eucalyptus oil and leave for 5 minutes then wipe clean with damp clean cloth using a mild soapy solution. We recommend to test a small patch if oil spill is over a large area.
Damp cowhide: If your cowhide gets saturated do not dry it in the direct sun or in front of intense heat. Allow to dry gradually on a hard clean surface.
White or light cowhides: To be extra careful we recommend white, cream, beige cowhides be sprayed with a light coating of colourless nubuck and suede water proof spray from a cobbler or shoe shop when they are new. If you ever clean the cowhide rug with soap and water, do re-spray the surface again for added protection.
Storage: Always store cow skin rugs in a dry well ventilated place, preferably rolled and wrapped with a clean cotton sheet to protect from dust and dirt. Do not store heavy items on top of a cowhide.
Watch our how to video below on cleaning your cowhide!
The natural suede finish on the back of the cowhides provides an innate anti-slip texture. If you the cowhide may be in a location where it may be kicked up at the edges Velcro dots around the edge can prevent slipping
Coastal Cowhide hides have been tanned to a high specification so it is highly unlikely they will curl. However, if you place your cowhide in an area where there is strong sunlight, consistent or intense heat such as under floor heating or near a fireplace sometimes even a good quality cowhide can curl due to the fibres drying and contracting.
If it does curl then steam iron the curled area on both the leather or hair side with a damp clean cloth between the iron and the cowhide. Try Velcro dots around the edges to hold the curled edges down.
Natural cowhide rugs are fade resistant, however, over a very long period of time in direct sun light they may possibly fade a degree
Reindeer hide rugs are a luxury hide for ornamental purposes and should not be walked on. You can drape it over a sofa or chair but try and minimalise siting on it, but leaning on it is fine.
Reindeer are part of the Caribou family and hair follicle is hollow so they retain their temperature in sub-zero conditions. Reindeer hides should not be placed in the front of a fire, left in a hot room or located where there is high heat source since extreme heat or drying of the hide will cause the fur to shed and moult.
Even domestic animals can course cause damage to hair hides, by kneading them, so try and keep them away from the reindeer.
If you respect your reindeer hide rug it should last many years. In the beginning a hide will definitely shed some of its fur and this is normal. You will need to take it outside and shake the hide every few weeks. After a month the hairs on the hide should settle down and will need to shake this outside the house more infrequently.
Please note as with almost all hair hides you will experience some hair loss from these hides.