Sheepskin leather hard after washing

Genuine sheepskin is praised by many for its exceptional softness and fluffiness. However, improper care or washing can cause the otherwise lustrous and cuddly sheepskin to become hard and rough.

As a sheepskin owner, it's important to understand that sheepskin gets its softness and fluffiness from nature. To preserve these natural advantages for many years, it's essential to care for sheepskin properly and wash it gently.

In the following blog post, we will 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 stiff after washing?

To understand why sheepskin becomes stiff after washing, one must take a closer look at its natural properties.

Perhaps you've wondered why your sheepskin is so beautifully shiny and so supple? Sheepskins contain lanolin, also known as wool wax. This fatty substance forms a protective film over the sheepskin, making it not only dirt- and moisture-repellent but also keeping it soft and cuddly. Furthermore, a sheepskin consists largely of proteins, which give the wool fibers their strong structure and protect them from external influences. The composition of the sheepskin is responsible for all the qualities we humans love so much about sheepskins and must be cared for and protected accordingly.

Incorrect washing or care can alter the natural structure of a sheepskin, destroying its fluffy properties and causing the fleece to become stiff. To avoid the hassle of trying to soften your sheepskin after washing or caring for it, should you Avoid the following mistakes:

1. The use of unsuitable detergents

When cleaning sheepskins, you should not use conventional detergents, as these often have a grease-dissolving effect and would therefore wash the important lanolin out of the sheepskins. This could cause your sheepskin to dry out, become matted, and look dull.

2. Incorrect washing temperature and use of heat

An incorrect washing temperature can also damage the properties of your sheepskin. In particular, using excessively hot water, similar to conventional detergents, has a grease-dissolving effect, causing the lanolin to be washed out of the fleece, resulting in the sheepskin losing its shine and softness. Additionally, hot water also destroys the proteins in the fine fleece fibers, causing the sheepskin to lose its firm structure and become brittle.

Heat should generally be avoided not only during washing but also during drying. In particular, drying in direct sunlight or near other heat sources can make the sheepskin hard and brittle.

3. Too much moisture

It's best to ask yourself before each wash whether it's truly necessary, as the use of moisture and cleaning agents almost always affects the structure and condition of the sheepskin. Even too much moisture during the care and cleaning of sheepskins can alter the fibers to such an extent that the sheepskin becomes deformed or matted.

If washing is unavoidable, you should definitely avoid the listed sources of error so that your sheepskin remains fluffy and cuddly even after washing.

How do you properly prepare a sheepskin for grooming?

To prevent your sheepskin from becoming stiff after cleaning, these three tips will help you. The following care tips.

1. Choose the right products for care and cleaning.

Use only special sheepskin cleaners and conditioners.

Many conventional fabric cleaners contain solvents to dissolve and remove fats and waxes. These cleaners should not be used on genuine sheepskin, as the fats (especially lanolin) contribute significantly to the beauty and softness of the sheepskin. Instead, mild cleaners should be used that clean the sheepskin without stripping the fat from the fleece.

For the same reasons, when washing genuine sheepskin, it is preferable to Wool detergent This is a natural and mild detergent that cleans your sheepskin without damaging the delicate wool fibers. Many sheepskin and wool detergents contain added lanolin. This ensures that the fleece retains enough natural oils during cleaning to restore its shine and softness.

2. Check your sheepskin before washing it.

Do you see any stains or other soiling? Is a wash cycle really necessary?

Is the fur already starting to mat or become stiff? 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?

You should tailor your grooming and cleaning routine to the condition of your coat.

3. Professional cleaning and hand washing instead of a washing machine

Nowadays, most people wash their laundry at home in a washing machine. However, especially with natural products like sheepskin, gentle cleaning is crucial. Therefore, it makes sense to use a sheepskin dryer instead. Wash by hand.

The second alternative to washing at home would be a professional cleaningThere are many laundries that specialize in cleaning sheepskins, so you can be sure your sheepskin will receive optimal care. Anyone wanting to properly clean their sheepskin should consider this gentle alternative, as these specialized laundries not only have a wide range of mild care and cleaning products, but have also optimized the washing process so that your sheepskin is not only clean after washing, but also fluffy and soft.

Conclusion

In summary, there are several tips and tricks you can follow to prevent your sheepskin from becoming stiff after washing. Choosing suitable care and cleaning products plays a particularly important role, as does avoiding heat and excessive moisture.

Even if your sheepskin has become stiff after washing, there are several ways to soften it again. Special wool brushes are particularly effective for softening rough fur. Special care products containing lanolin can also restore the fluffy and glossy properties of the fine sheepskin fibers.

However, with proper care and cleaning, you should prevent your sheepskin from becoming stiff in the first place. Always remember that sheepskin is a natural product and its fluffy and soft qualities should be maintained as gently and naturally as possible.