Real sheepskin is praised by many people for its exceptional softness and fluffiness. However, if it is not cared for properly or washed properly, the otherwise shiny and cuddly sheepskin can become hard and rough.
As a sheepskin owner, it is important to understand that sheepskin gets its softness and fluffiness from nature. In order to maintain these natural benefits over many years, it is important to care for sheepskin properly and wash it gently.
In the following blog post, we give you tips and solutions for restoring the natural softness of your sheepskin, so that your sheepskin can create a comfortably warm living environment even after washing.
Why does sheepskin become hard after washing?
To understand why sheepskin becomes hard after washing, you need to take a closer look at its natural properties.
Maybe you've already asked yourself why your sheepskin is so shiny and supple? Sheepskins contain lanolin or wool wax. This fatty substance forms a protective film over the sheepskin and not only makes it dirt and moisture repellent, but also keeps it soft and cuddly. In addition, sheepskin is mostly made up of proteins, which give the wool fibers their solid structure and protect them from external influences. The composition of the sheepskin is responsible for all the properties that we humans love so much about sheepskins, and it must be cared for and protected accordingly.
Incorrect washing or incorrect care can change the natural structure of the sheepskin and thus destroy the fluffy properties of the sheepskin, making the fur hard. So that you do not have to worry about how to make your sheepskin soft again after caring for or washing it, you should avoid the following mistakes :
- The use of unsuitable detergents
When cleaning sheepskins, you should not use conventional detergents, as these often have a grease-dissolving effect and would wash out the important lanolin from the sheepskins. This could cause your sheepskin to dry out, mat and look dull.
- Incorrect washing temperature and use of heat
The wrong washing temperature can also destroy the properties of your sheepskin. In particular, using water that is too hot has a grease-dissolving effect, similar to conventional detergents, so that the lanolin is dissolved and washed out of the fur, causing the sheepskin to lose its shine and suppleness. In addition, hot water also destroys the proteins in the fine fur fibers, which means that the sheepskin loses its solid structure and can become brittle.
In general, heat should be avoided not only when washing but also when drying. Drying in direct sunlight or near other heat sources can make the sheepskin hard and brittle.
- Too much moisture
It is best to ask yourself before each wash whether this is really necessary, as the use of moisture and cleaning agents almost always affects the structure and quality of the sheepskin. Too much moisture when caring for and cleaning sheepskin can change the fibers of the sheepskin so that the sheepskin becomes deformed or matted.
If a wash cycle is unavoidable, you should definitely avoid the sources of error listed so that your sheepskin remains fluffy and cuddly even after washing.
How do you properly prepare for sheepskin care?
To prevent your sheepskin from becoming hard after cleaning, the three following care tips .
- Choose the right products for care and cleaning
Use only special sheepskin cleaners and conditioners .
Many conventional textile cleaners contain solvents to dissolve and remove grease and wax. These cleaners should not be used on real sheepskin, as the fats (especially lanolin) make an important contribution to the beauty and softness of the sheepskin. Instead, mild cleaners should be used that clean the sheepskin but do not dissolve the grease from the fur.
For the same reasons, when washing real sheepskin, it is preferable wool detergent This is a natural and mild detergent that cleans your sheepskin without damaging the fine wool fibers. Many sheepskin and wool detergents contain added lanolin. This ensures that the fur receives enough fats despite cleaning to make it shiny and supple again.
- Check your sheepskin before washing
Do you see any stains or other dirt? Is a wash cycle really necessary?
Is the fur already matting or becoming harder? Is it becoming brittle?
Does your sheepskin have any areas or damage that you should pay special attention to when cleaning and caring for it?
Depending on the condition of your fur, you should organize your care and cleaning.
- Professional cleaning and hand washing instead of washing machine
Nowadays, most people wash their clothes in the washing machine at home. But especially with natural products, such as sheepskin, it is important to clean them as gently as possible. Therefore, it makes sense to use sheepskin instead. to wash by hand .
The second alternative to washing at home would be a professional cleaning There are many laundries that specifically offer sheepskin cleaning, so you can be sure that your sheepskin will be cared for in the best possible way. Anyone who wants to clean their sheepskin properly should consider this gentle alternative, as the specialised laundries not only have a variety of mild care and cleaning products, but have also usually optimised the washing process so that your sheepskin is not only clean after washing, but also fluffy and soft.
Conclusion
Overall, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to ensure that your sheepskin doesn't become hard after washing. Choosing suitable care and cleaning products is particularly important, as is avoiding heat and too much moisture.
But even if your sheepskin has become hard after washing, there are a few ways to make it soft again. Special wool brushes are a particularly good way to soften the rough fur. Special care products containing lanolin can also give the fine sheepskin fibers their fluffy and shiny properties again.
However, with proper care and cleaning, you should avoid your sheepskin becoming hard in the first place. Always remember that sheepskin is a natural product and its fluffy and soft properties should be cared for as gently and naturally as possible.