Cleaning sheepskin

Pollycat

Thanks, PP.

I think I'm going to go the Dreft/Woolite type washpowder route and hand wash them and leave to dry naturally - keeping my fingers crossed.

witchwoopiggy

I bought a sheep skin rug from a butchers in Wales when i was there on holiday and never thought to ask how to clean it I am so worried that i will shrink it or make it as hard as a bullet if i wash it does anyone know the best way of cleaning it please , thank you

Midge50

I used to have mine dry cleaned for years and then it started to get very expensive so I thought right ok........go for it.....

Cold wash in the washing machine, used comfort too.......

Never looked back :j

But very important to do cold wash, and outside on the washing line

M xx

Red_Doe

If you were told it's machine washable, put it on the wool cycle. If you aren't sure, you can hand wash it in the bath, any soap powder will do but when you rinse, put plenty fabric softener in the water.
Squeezing all the excess water out, hang it over the washing line or somewhere it can drip dry.
When it's touch dry/damp, you'll have to work it to keep it soft.
That means pummelling the skin side of it, using your hands to smooth it and stretch it out. This stops the fibres locking up which is what makes them hard after being wet.
Keep doing this whilst it dries and it will be ok, might still be a little stiff but regular use will soften it up again.
use a steel tooth comb (curry comb or dog grooming comb) on the wool and it'll be good as new.
Incidentally, what colour is the suede side? If it's white, it's been syn-tanned, if it's a blueish grey colour, chrome tanned. Chrome tanned is the easiest to wash!
Hope this helps

Pink.

Hi

The advice you have already been given is excellent. The only thing that I would stress is to dry it naturally as drying it near a heat source will stiffen the rug and make it hard.

This earlier thread may help too:

Cleaning sheepskin

I'll add your thread to it later to keep the replies together.

Pink

witchwoopiggy

Red_Doe wrote: »

Incidentally, what colour is the suede side? If it's white, it's been syn-tanned, if it's a blueish grey colour, chrome tanned. Chrome tanned is the easiest to wash!
Hope this helps

Just had a look and its white , typical

Thank you for all the help everyone

sheepskin washed and on line,could not wash it in bath as we dont have one so chanced washing machine on wool wash, has not shrunk and i am very, very pleased once again thank you.

meritaten

I have a natural sheepskin rug, and I put it in the washine machine with a bit of bio powder and some vinegar for conditioner. then I normally put it in the tumble dryer for an hour. comes out lovely and clean and although I have had it at least 15 years, its still as soft and supple as the day I bought it.

seafarers_wife

would this work for a reindeer rug as well? sadly my OH decided to buy Rudolf when he was in Norway the other year and i havent cleaned it becuase i dont know how.

Lucnoak

Help needed!!!
I brought a vintage sheepskin fur coat the other day , the fur appeared smoke damaged( however didn't smell of smoke) I decided to wash in coat water however stain to fur remains , if they were gone this coat would be stunning! I'm hestaint to put in wash due to weight when it's wet-weighs a ton-and due to age, is there anything I can do to bring fur up to original colour? It only cost me a fiver but I love it!
Any tips ideas welcome

Fmarguerita

Hi
I have a real sheepskin coat and it smells so musty. I have tried spraying with perfumes. I've tried steaming and airing but nothing got rid of the awful smell.
After reading these forums I've decided to put it in the washer on cool setting! Fingers crossed it's in now!
I'll let you know the outcome!