Washing sheepskin tips for caring for your natural fur

Sheepskin is incredibly soft and offers natural warmth, which is especially appreciated during the colder months. The fur feels pleasant against the skin, creating a sense of coziness and comfort. Unlike carpets, which require deep cleaning, caring for sheepskins or lambskins is relatively simple. To help you maintain the unique qualities of your natural furs, we'd like to share our best care tips. In the following blog post, we'll explain how to wash your sheepskin to ensure it lasts longer.

What is genuine sheepskin?

Genuine sheepskin is a natural product that, unlike its artificially produced alternatives, possesses many natural superpowers.

Sheep and lambskin offer exceptional comfort thanks to their fluffy and soft texture, both in winter and summer. Its temperature-regulating properties keep you warm in winter and pleasantly cool in summer.

Despite its soft feel, the material is surprisingly robust, allowing it to retain its quality for a long time. Natural furs are also biodegradable, making them a sustainable alternative to synthetic products.

Sheepskin is hypoallergenic, meaning even allergy sufferers can enjoy the comforting warmth of these products. The natural lanolin (wool grease) in the fleece has antibacterial properties and prevents dust from penetrating the material too quickly. This gives house dust mites little chance to spread.

To maintain the softness of the fleece, you should clean your sheepskin. Dust and dirt can cause the wool fibers to mat, resulting in a loss of comfort.

How do you properly prepare your sheepskin for cleaning?

If you want to clean your sheepskin, it is advisable to first consult the manufacturer's care instructions.

Didn't receive any care instructions with your sheepskin? No problem: We'll show you how to wash your sheepskin.

For gentle cleaning of your natural sheepskins, avoid using regular washing soap or conventional detergent, as the ingredients can dry out the sheepskin. Instead, use a special wool and sheepskin soap to maintain the softness and shine of your product. Always use lukewarm water to wash the sheepskin.

You will also need a towel and a soft brush. For the gentlest possible grooming, special sheepskin brushes are best, as their bristles are softer and therefore prevent damage to the coat.

Washing lambskins and sheepskins - utensils needed:

• Wool and sheepskin soap
• lukewarm water
• sheepskin brush

TipRemoving stains without washing: Fresh stains don't require immediate washing of the sheepskin. Stains can also be removed more easily. Simply dab the stained area lightly with a damp cloth. Be careful not to soak the sheepskin with water.

How do you wash a sheepskin?

Generally, sheep and lambskins don't need to be washed regularly, as they have a self-cleaning and dirt-repellent function. However, if stains have penetrated deep into the material, washing is often unavoidable.

To clean your sheepskin as gently as possible, we recommend hand washing. If you wish to wash your lambskin and sheepskin, please follow these washing instructions.

• Soak the sheepskin in lukewarm water: For this process, you will need a tub large enough to hold the wool fleece. Fill the tub with lukewarm water. Be sure not to use hot water, as this will dry out the natural oils in the fleece, making it dull and brittle.
• Use wool and sheepskin soap: To clean your lambskins and sheepskins, apply a small amount of soap to the fur. Work the soap into the material by kneading and pressing. Avoid rubbing too hard to prevent damaging the fur.
• Remove soap residue: Finally, it is important to rinse the sheepskin thoroughly so that all soap residue is removed. They can be removed. Use lukewarm water again for this.

Can you wash sheepskin in the washing machine?

As an alternative to hand washing, some sheepskins and lambskins can be machine washed. However, you should always check first whether the manufacturer permits machine washing, as not every sheepskin is suitable. If machine washing 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 machineIf you wish to clean your fur in the washing machine, be sure to use a wool cycle or a gentle wash program with very low temperatures (ideally (maximum 30 degrees Celsius)
• Laundry detergent and fabric softenerWhen cleaning sheepskin or lambskin, always use a wool detergent. Regular detergents contain enzymes and harsh chemicals that can damage the leather and delicate fibers of the fur. Do not use fabric softener, as this will harden the leather and alter the natural texture of the fur.
• Low spin speedMake sure the spin speed is set low. Too high a speed can cause the fur to mat and the leather to warp.

Can tanned sheepskins be washed?

Tanned sheepskins can generally be washed, but the type of tanning determines the necessary washing method. Medically tanned sheepskins, recognizable by their yellowish color, are usually machine washable. These sheepskins have been specially treated to retain their softness and flexibility even when in contact with water. For washing, a gentle wool cycle at a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius and a mild wool detergent should be used. Please refer to our instructions for machine washing and drying.

Vegetable-tanned or conventionally tanned sheepskins, on the other hand, are more sensitive to water. Washing these hides in a washing machine is not recommended. Contact with water causes the leather to harden and shrink.

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 option.

How do you dry your sheepskin?

Once you've successfully removed stains and dirt, it's important to dry the lambskin or sheepskin properly. To maintain its softness and shine, there are a few things to keep in mind here as well.

First, you should remove any remaining water from the sheepskin. To do this, gently squeeze the sheepskin without twisting it.Natural furs should always be air-dried at room temperature and never tumble-dried. To air-dry, lay your fur on a towel and then on a flat surface. Avoid direct sunlight or strong heat sources (such as central heating) while drying.

To prevent matting, you should also regularly shake your sheepskin and then let it dry. After each shaking, 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

Sheepskins are typically very easy to care for and, due to their self-cleaning and dirt-repellent properties, do not need to be washed regularly. Regular brushing and shaking are sufficient to maintain the quality of the sheepskins. Protect your natural fur from strong sunlight or heat. This will not only help extend the lifespan of the sheepskin but also preserve its shine and beauty.

If stains and dust accumulate on the natural fleece over years of use, it's advisable to clean your sheepskin. With our tips and tricks for hand and machine washing, you can clean your fleece and maintain its comfort.