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Hair-on-Hide FAQ

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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.