Sheepskin is incredibly soft and offers a natural warmth that is especially appreciated in the cold months. The fur leaves a pleasant feeling on the skin and creates coziness and comfort. In contrast to carpets, which need to be cleaned thoroughly, caring for sheep or lamb skins is relatively easy. So that you can preserve the special product properties of your natural skins, we would like to explain the best care tips to you. In the following blog post, we would like to explain how you can wash the sheepskin so that it lasts longer.
What is real sheepskin?
Real sheepskin is a natural product that, unlike its man-made alternatives, has many natural superpowers.
Sheepskin and lambskin offer an absolute feel-good factor thanks to their fluffy and soft texture, both in winter and summer. Thanks to their temperature-balancing properties, sheepskin keeps you comfortably warm in winter and pleasantly cool in summer.
Despite its soft feel, the material is surprisingly robust, which means it retains its quality over a long period of time. Natural fur is also biodegradable, making it a sustainable alternative to synthetic products.
Sheepskin is hypoallergenic, meaning that even allergy sufferers can enjoy the cozy warmth of these products. The natural lanolin (wool fat) in the fur has an antibacterial effect and prevents dust from penetrating the material too quickly. This means that dust mites hardly have a chance to spread.
To maintain the softness of the fur, you should clean your sheepskin. Dust and dirt can cause the wool fibers to mat, which reduces the comfort factor.
How do you properly prepare your sheepskin for cleaning?
If you want to clean your sheepskin, it is first advisable to read the manufacturer's care instructions.
Did you not receive any care instructions with your sheepskin? No problem: We will show you how to wash your sheepskin.
To gently clean your natural fur, you should avoid using normal laundry soap or commercial detergent, as the ingredients can dry out the sheepskin. So it is better to use a special wool and sheepskin soap to maintain the softness and shine of your product. To wash the sheepskin, you should always use lukewarm water.
You will also need a towel and a soft brush. For the gentlest possible care, special sheepskin brushes are best, as their bristles are softer and thus damage to the fur is avoided.
Washing lambskins and sheepskin - required utensils:
- wool and sheepskin soap
- Lukewarm water
- sheepskin brush
Tip: Remove stains without washing: If the stains are fresh, you don't have to wash the sheepskin immediately. Stains are also easier to remove. You can dab the dirty area lightly with a damp cloth. Be careful not to soak the fur too much with water.
How do you wash sheepskin?
Basically, sheepskins and lambskins do not need to be washed regularly, as they have a self-cleaning and dirt-repellent function. However, if stains have already penetrated deep into the material, washing is often unavoidable.
To clean the sheepskin as gently as possible, we recommend hand washing. If you want to wash your lambskin and sheepskin, you should follow these washing instructions.
- Soak the sheepskin in lukewarm water: For this process, you will need a tub that has enough space for the wool fur. Fill the tub with lukewarm water. Be careful not to use hot water, as this will dry out the natural oils in the fur and make it dull and brittle.
- Use wool and sheepskin soap: To clean your lambskins and sheepskins, apply a little soap to the fur. Work the soap into the material by kneading and pressing. Avoid rubbing too hard to avoid damaging your fur.
- Remove soap residue: Finally, it is important to rinse the sheepskin thoroughly so that all soap residues be removed. Use lukewarm water again.
Can you wash sheepskin in the washing machine?
As an alternative to hand washing, some sheepskins and lambskins can be washed in the washing machine. However, you should always check first whether the manufacturer allows washing in the washing machine, as not all sheepskins are machine washable. If washing in the washing machine is possible, you should consider the following care tips.
Here's what you should pay attention to when washing:
- Washing sheepskin and lambskin in the washing machine: If you want to wash your fur in the washing machine, be sure to use a wool cycle or a gentle wash program with very low temperatures (ideally maximum of 30 degrees Celsius)
- detergent and fabric softener: Be sure to use a wool detergent when cleaning sheepskin or lambskin. Normal detergents contain enzymes and harsh chemicals that damage the leather of the fur and the delicate fibers. Do not use fabric softener as this will harden the leather and change the natural structure of the fur.
- Low spin speed: Make sure the spin speed is set to a low setting. If the speed is too high, the fur may become matted and the leather material may warp.
Can tanned sheepskin be washed?
Tanned sheepskins can generally be washed, but the type of tanning determines which washing method is required. Medically tanned skins, which are recognizable by their yellowish color, are usually machine washable. These skins have been specially treated to retain their softness and flexibility even when in contact with water. A gentle wool wash program at a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius and a mild wool detergent should be used for washing. You are welcome to take our instructions for machine washing and drying into account.
Vegetable or conventionally tanned sheepskins, on the other hand, are more sensitive to water. Washing these skins in the washing machine is not recommended. Contact with water causes the leather to become hard and can shrink.
Instead, dry cleaning is best. Light soiling can be removed by gently tapping, brushing or wiping with a damp cloth. For more stubborn stains, professional leather cleaning is often the safest choice.
How do you dry your sheepskin?
Once you have successfully removed stains and dirt, it is important to dry the lamb or sheepskin properly. There are a few things to consider here to maintain the cuddly factor and shine.
First, you should remove any water residue from the fur.To do this, squeeze the sheepskin carefully without twisting it. Natural fur should always be air dried at room temperature and never tumble dried. To air dry, place your real fur on a towel and then on a flat surface. Avoid direct sunlight or strong heat sources (heating air) while drying.
To avoid matting, you should also shake your sheepskin regularly and then let it dry. After each shake, the sheepskin should be laid flat back on the towel and pulled into shape.
Once the sheepskin is completely dry, brush it with a special sheepskin brush to make it soft and fluffy again.
Washing and caring for sheepskin - how to maintain its quality
Normally, sheepskin is very easy to care for and does not need to be washed regularly due to its self-cleaning and dirt-repellent properties. Regular brushing and shaking is sufficient to maintain the quality of sheepskins. Protect your natural fur from strong sunlight or heat. This will not only help the longevity of sheepskins, but will also preserve the shine and beauty of your fur.
If stains and dust have accumulated on the natural fur over the years of use, it is advisable to clean your sheepskin. With our tips and tricks for hand and machine washing, you can clean your fur and maintain its comfort.