One of the many benefits of the cowhide rug is its hypoallergenic quality. Many allergy sufferers are irritated by various carpets and fabrics indoors, especially because the carpet can trap allergens in its fibers, including mold, dust, and dander, and these items can find their way into the air whenever you walk on the carpet. Unlike most traditional carpets, however, cowhide rugs do not trap allergens and do not release fibers into the air. While they do gather dust, these rugs do not trap dust within their fibers like other rugs do. Instead of regular cleaning and vacuuming, all you need to do is take the rug outside and shake it to rid it of dust, and brush it by hand every so often to remove visible dirt. This of course cuts down on the overall time you need to spend cleaning any room in which you place your cow skin rug, which can save homeowners and apartment dwellers money in the long run, because there is no need to have the carpet professionally cleaned periodically. Rugs made from cowhide do not contain synthetic materials and are also unlikely to be treated with volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), such as pesticides and flame retardant chemicals.
These rugs are also very simple to clean should there be a spill. You don’t need to panic and rub the rug with potentially toxic chemical carpet cleaners like you would with other kinds of floor coverings. Instead, you simply need to apply a moist cloth to the cowhide rug to remove spills, and a dry cloth to anything that is spilled on it that could cause a stain.
Another plus to rugs made from cowhide is their durability. Most carpets wear down in a fairly predictable way, becoming worn, faded and dirty with age due to foot traffic and constant exposure to dirt and debris from outdoors. But a cowhide rug can sustain foot traffic much more easily than other kinds of rugs, and thus lasts longer. The cowhide also contains natural oils that help the rug resist the penetration of the surface via liquids and other contaminants. If you want to keep the rug looking its vibrant best and prevent fading, all you need to remember is to keep it away from direct sunlight.
Lastly, cowhide rugs are very functional and versatile decorating items. They can be hung up on the wall, depending on the size, and placed on loveseats or cushions as throws, in addition to functioning as rugs. If used as a floor rug, they have more grab than other kinds of floor coverings, so the corners won’t curl up and present a potential tripping hazard.
