1. How to Lay Flat a Cowhide or Hair-on Rug with Hydrator 3.3 + Fatliquor 5.0?
2. Why do Hair-on-Hide Edges begin Curling?
3. Why Hair-on-Hide Rip Easily?
4. Why Hair-on-Hide Dry Rot?
1. How to Lay Flat a Cowhide or Hair-on Rug with Hydrator 3.3 + Fatliquor 5.0?
Cowhide and other hair-on rugs may develop curled edges or stiffness due to a loss of fat and oil content (fatliquor). This dryness prevents the rug from lying flat and, if untreated, can lead to cracking or tearing. For optimal flexibility, a 14% fat and oil content (measured with a leather moisture meter) is recommended. Hydration and fatliquoring restore suppleness, allowing the rug to lie flat naturally.
Step-by-Step Restoration Process:
- Hydrate and Relax the Rug with Hydrator 3.3:
- Apply Hydrator 3.3 evenly over the entire rug, focusing on curled or stiff areas.
- Allow it to soak in for several hours (or overnight for extreme stiffness).
- Massage and stretch the hide to help relax the fibers and even out tension.
This softens the fibers and preps them for fatliquoring.
- Restore Softness with Fatliquor 5.0:
- While the rug is still slightly damp, apply Fatliquor 5.0 in multiple light coats.
- Work it in evenly using a sponge or soft brush.
- Let it slowly air dry, repeating the process until the leather absorbs no more.
Fatliquor replenishes the essential fats and oils, preventing stiffness and future curling.
- Final Adjustment for Laying Flat:
- If edges are still curling, gently stretch and massage them while drying.
- Place weighted objects (like books or a flat board) on curled areas to keep them in place.
- Allow the rug to dry naturally at room temperature (avoid direct heat).
This step ensures the rug dries evenly and maintains a flat, natural shape.
Why This Works:
- Restores Lost Moisture & Flexibility – Prevents stiffness and curling.
- Increases Suppleness – Fatliquoring ensures long-term softness. Prevents Future Damage – Hydrated, fatliquored hides resist cracking and curling.
By following this process, your cowhide or hair-on rug will lie flat, remain soft, and last longer.
2. Why do Hair-on-Hide Edges begin Curling?
- Hair-on hide rug edges begin curling is a sign of fat and oil drying up, as the edges are more exposed to evaporation.
- Hydrating and fatliquor reconditioning will help the curls to lie flat and soft, with regained tear strength.
3. Why Hair-on-Hide Rip Easily?
- Hide will lose its rip tensile strength gradually in relation to the drying up of its fatliquor (fat and oil) content.
- As fat and oil are VOC (volatile organic compounds), evaporation will reduce their percentage, translating to weakness in tear strength.
- Without periodic reconditioning to replenish the diminishing fat and oil content, it becomes easily ripped when a rug is dragged.
4. Why Hair-on-Hide Dry Rot?
- Dry rotting is a slow drying process in a relatively warm and dry environment when the fat and oil eventually dry out from evaporation, causing the hide to become stiff, brittle, fragile, and easily fall apart when dragged.
- Dry rotting is preventable with periodic fat and oil softness reconditioning.