How to clean sheepskin at home

Cured sheepskin is very warm. Blankets, sheepskin coats, capes and covers for car seats are made from it.

This is an environmentally friendly and affordable material. But sheepskin also has disadvantages. One of the main ones is the rapid loss of beautiful appearance and loss of airiness. Therefore, every 2-3 months it is necessary to wash any products.

How to wash sheep skin? This question is relevant. There are 2 washing methods and many stain removal methods. Choose a convenient method and start the procedure.

Rules of care

The most popular among the wide variety of natural skins are sheep.

Such items must be properly cared for so as not to be washed too often.

How to care for a woolen product:

Avoid direct sunlight while drying.
Do not place carpets or covers on the radiator or in front of the fan as this may damage the hide.
It is recommended to use only mild liquid detergents.
Do not use non-alkaline products.
Do not use products containing biological enzymes or bleach.
Before drying, the product must be given the correct shape.
It is necessary to ventilate the carpet in the fresh air 4 times a month.
You can vacuum the covers to remove dust and small debris. This must be done in the direction of the pile. No need for a vacuum cleaner
If stains appear, remove them immediately.
It is not recommended to place furniture on animal skins. If this cannot be avoided, then wear special pads on your legs.
Skins must be stored in dry rooms. It is better not to keep such products in the bathroom. High humidity negatively affects their condition.

Proper care of sheepskin will help maintain the attractive appearance of the carpet. It will be more pleasant to spend your free time and relax there.

Peculiarities of skin dressing

Hides are an important source of income for farmers raising sheep for meat. But many livestock breeders simply throw away the skins, not wanting to deal with dressing. This is truly a tedious matter. Some sheep farmers prefer to hand over raw hides to special collection points. But if there is a long distance between the farm and the point, and there are only a few skins, such trips are unprofitable.

The best solution is not to throw away valuable raw materials, but to tan the skins yourself

What is important to know about dressing:

The process is divided into several stages: fleshing;
pickling;
wash;
tanning;
drying.

If the skins are prepared for sewing fur coats, then they must be removed from sheep of the same age and color. They must be filmed in one season. On a small farm, hides can be collected gradually - as the sheep are slaughtered. A fur coat requires 7-8 sheep skins.

The entire dressing process takes about a month.

It is better to air dry skins in dry weather. It is advisable to tan the skins in the summer.

For dressing you will need the simplest materials:

washing powder;

salt;

vinegar;

sawdust.

Prepare enough solution so that the sheepskin floats in it and is covered with the top.

Handwash

If the carpet is large, you will have to wash it by hand. To carry out this process you will need a large container. You can wash sheepskin in a bathtub or a large basin.

How to wash sheepskin by hand correctly:

Fill the bath with warm water, the temperature of which should not be more than 40 degrees, and dilute the detergent in it. It should be liquid. If there is no special detergent, you can use a neutral shampoo. The ideal one in this case is for children.
The skin is soaked in soapy water for half an hour; if it is very dirty, you can leave it for an hour.
Gently wash the sheepskin with your hands; you can use a soft washcloth to better remove dirt.
After washing, drain the water from the bath and rinse the leather under running cool water. It is necessary to rinse until the water stops lathering.

Cleaning sheepskin by hand means it will take longer to dry. It is impossible to squeeze out all the water with your hands like in a machine.

Due to prolonged drying, the fur may be banned. Therefore, it is necessary to lay out the mat in a well-ventilated area in a horizontal position and periodically turn it over.

The product may shrink during drying; to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to sometimes stretch and shake the skin.

Subtleties of drying

Properly drying sheepskin is no less important than washing it.
An incorrectly carried out process can cause deformation of the product; it is unlikely that it will be possible to return the previous appearance. To dry a washed fleece product, you need to know some secrets:

The process is carried out only in a horizontal position; the clotheslines will leave traces that will be very difficult to remove.
Spread a terry towel or a piece of fabric with good absorbent characteristics on a flat surface.
The washed sheepskin is laid out on the backing, carefully straightening out all the creases and folds.
Periodically, the product is shaken and slightly stretched to maintain its original dimensions.

Drying is carried out naturally, in places with good air circulation.

Carrying out the process near heating devices, heaters, central heating radiators is strictly prohibited.

It is also not advisable to dry it with a hairdryer or iron, otherwise deformation cannot be avoided.

When the pile is completely dry, it must be combed with a special metal comb. The leather part is thoroughly kneaded with your hands so that it becomes soft and elastic.

Washed slippers are stuffed with white paper and placed on the balcony in partial shade. Newspapers are not suitable for this as they can stain the inside of your shoes with lead.

Storage is carried out in ventilated places, having previously packed the product in a canvas bag. The presence of moth repellent in such places is extremely necessary.

Now we know whether it is possible to wash sheepskin by hand or using an automatic machine.

We found out all the intricacies of the process, as well as the rules for drying such delicate things. Follow the recommendations and advice, then items made from natural fleece will delight you for a long time.

Sheepskin is known for its amazing durability and ability to retain heat for a long time. This natural material is used for sewing outerwear, car covers, collars, hats, and mittens. It is also very popular in interior design. But the downside is that the skins quickly absorb unpleasant odors and become salty. There are several ways to clean sheepskin without damaging the material.

Washing machine

Is it possible to wash sheepskin at home in a machine?

Animal rugs, car covers and children's sled covers can be processed automatically.

All products made from sheep fur that fit the dimensions can be washed in a washing machine. But you must adhere to certain rules.

How to machine wash sheepskin and other items:

Temperature: set to no more than 40 degrees. Fur can be washed in cold water, heating can be turned off completely.
It is better to use a special liquid detergent for delicate fabrics or a detergent designed for sheepskin.
Wash mode: delicate, hand or wool. More aggressive mechanical action can damage the item.
Spin - it is better not to install this function at all. But manufacturers allow any items made of sheepskin to be pressed at minimum speed.
Rinse - it is better to set not one, but two cycles. Sheep's wool will not rinse out from the detergent in one go.

Such products are dried only naturally. In the machine, the skin can become deformed and shrink greatly.

Sheep fur cleaning

If you have acquired a velvety rug made of this fur, washing it can be quite problematic; the size does not always allow this. How to clean sheepskin without washing?

Sheep skin is used both for sewing and for interior decoration

Available means

If we are talking about carpet, first you need to go over it with a vacuum cleaner to collect dust and various crumbs.
At the second stage, you need to place dry starch on the entire surface and rub it with your hand over the entire area. This is not difficult: the starch will easily slide over the fur and the fibers will easily absorb it. The fur will be cleaned before your eyes, and you will be able to see when it is time to finish the procedure.
After this, the rug must be shaken thoroughly, and to remove the remaining starch, clean it with a brush with elastic bristles.

Household chemicals

Are you not satisfied with the result? Is the fur still dull and has a not very pleasant smell? Then you need to carry out a more thorough wet cleaning using household chemicals. How to clean sheep skin in this case?

A fur cleaner (carpet cleaner is also suitable) is foamed in some container and the resulting foam is applied to the fur carpet. Leave it like this until it dries.
After this, all that remains is to use a vacuum cleaner and comb the fur with a comb. It will immediately take on a fresh look and pleasant smell.

Cleaning the base of the fur

There is another, more troublesome method that will help clean not only the pile surface, but also the base of the fur. This type of sheepskin cleaning can be used occasionally.

Thoroughly washed potato peelings are turned into a wet mass using a meat grinder and, after spreading over the fur, the skin is cleaned with a brush.
When the gruel acquires a dirty tint, it is removed and the cleaning process is completed by wiping the fur with dry cloths to rid it of moisture.

Stains

If stains appear on the wool, they must be removed before washing. You can either clean sheepskin at home or take it to the dry cleaner.

Methods for removing various contaminants:

Yellow spots. Wipe sheepskin items with a hydrogen peroxide solution. Prepare it as follows: 1 tbsp. l. peroxide is mixed with 2 glasses of water. To enhance the effect, you can add a couple of drops of an aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide to the solution. Soak a cloth in the liquid and wipe the yellowed areas.
Grease stains are sprinkled with talcum powder, starch or tooth powder. The product is left on the contaminated area for 4 hours, then removed with a vacuum cleaner.
A concentrated salt solution will help remove chocolate stains.
Glycerin will save your favorite rug from tea and coffee. It is necessary to heat the product to 36 degrees and treat the contaminated areas with it. After 10 minutes, you can wash the product and rinse in cool water.
Greasy areas can be removed using a slice of raw potato. How to clean sheepskin: first they are rubbed with a vegetable, left for a while, and then washed by hand or in a machine if the product fits the dimensions.
Stains from berries and fruits are sprinkled with salt, then it is lightly moistened with water and allowed to dry. After approximately 20–30 minutes, you can remove the product. Shake the salt off the sheepskin and wash the item in warm water.
Berry stains can also be treated with glycerin and medical alcohol, which are mixed in equal quantities. After half an hour, the sheepskin is washed.

It is not recommended to use modern stain removers for sheepskin. But you can use special products designed to remove stains from such things.

Restoration and softening of the product

After washing, the skin may become rough; to eliminate this problem, procedures are carried out to soften it. To do this, you need to follow the following recommendations:

Prepare a solution from one yolk, tbsp. l. Vaseline and half a liter of water.
Lubricate the sheepskin leather with the product.
Dry, stretch and soften the skin.

As an alternative, a solution of water and glycerin is used.

Anyone can handle cleaning dirty fur at home, it is not difficult. If you strictly follow the rules of care and clean or wash regularly, then the service life and beautiful appearance of your favorite product can be extended for many years. In case of complex stains, you will have to seek help from dry cleaning workers.

Household chemicals

You can also clean sheepskin using industrial products. If the quality of the wash is not satisfactory or the stain is not removed after using folk remedies, you can use special stain removers.

What can be used and how to use:

Sommieres Powder perfectly removes greasy and oily stains. The powder should be used strictly according to the instructions. Sommieres Powder is applied to the contaminated area and left to absorb for several hours. The powder is removed with a napkin or brush.
ULTRA FINISH MILK is a product that can be used to clean sheep fur. It does not stick hairs together and restores shine.
You can use LIVAL LICKER KONZ. This product is suitable for any fur. It perfectly cleans the pile, making it soft and silky.

Although wet cleaning using household chemicals is effective, it should not be used very often.

Sheepskin and products made from it look excellent only with proper care. Give them just a few hours a month and your carpets, covers and things will be clean and look like new.

How to clean sheepskin

For minor stains, the dry method of cleaning the fur surface is ideal. It will help those who are worried about how to clean white sheepskin. It is necessary to unfold the product and clean it first with a vacuum cleaner. Then take starch and sprinkle the pile with it. The starch should be rubbed into the pile with your hands.

Regular wet cleaning is also used, but for this you need to have products intended for carpets or items made of natural wool. To do this, warm water is taken into a large basin or bathtub and a special product is added to it. After which you can load the product by soaking it for 30 minutes.

It needs to be washed carefully by hand to remove light dirt. If there are more persistent ones, then it is better to treat them purposefully. Then the item should be rinsed, but only in warm water. Temperature changes during washing will negatively affect the appearance of the material. When clean and with the pile facing up, lay the skin horizontally and blot it with a terry towel.

Machine washable

This method is the simplest and easiest. However, it is suitable if the item is not too large and can be loaded into the washing machine. For this wash, use only detergents intended for woolen items. Other means are not recommended.

After washing, the fur rug can be dried as usual. When it becomes dry, it must be combed using a special wire brush for fur.

All these rules will help keep the product in good condition after washing and drying and continue to use it.

Very noticeable stains can be easily removed using a mixture of ammonia and cold water. You need to take these components in equal parts, moisten a sponge in the solution and apply it to the stains. If the dirt is old, then you can use stain removers or a special stain remover powder for fur.

Walnut kernels will help remove dull fur. They need to be crushed, wrapped in gauze and rubbed until shiny. This product helps restore color and add brightness to a fur product.

If yellowness appears, it can be removed with hydrogen peroxide. You need to make a solution of 1 liter of water and 2 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide. They only need to wash the surface layer of the product to whiten it. You can’t rub it deeper so as not to spoil the skin.

Along with the lint, the leather layer also becomes dirty. Potato peelings will help return the sheepskin to a fresh look on both sides. They must be washed thoroughly and squeezed well. Then grind the peelings in any way. Spread the prepared pulp in a thin layer on the surface and clean with a brush. After this, remove everything from it with a dry cloth.

The lost softness of the fur is given with a mixture of 1 chicken yolk and 1 tablespoon of Vaseline. The leather part is treated with a homogeneous composition, after which the remaining product is removed. Lost elasticity can be achieved by using glycerin with water.

If a foreign smell appears, the fur is matted or thinned, then in this case the rules for caring for the products are not followed. With proper care, you can count on a long service life of natural and warm fur items.

You can read about how to clean sheepskin at home on the Internet, as well as in specialized literature. If the chosen method does not seem to be very effective or is rather dubious, you should first test the recommended cleaning composition on a small area of the skin. This way you can avoid unpleasant surprises.

If, however, there is a need to use special preparations, you should carefully read the instructions before using them, and also protect your eyes and hands to avoid severe chemical poisoning or allergies. Those who often deal with fur (for example, specialists in sewing fur coats and hats) prefer to clean such products without going to dry cleaning because:

If dry cleaning is not done manually, but using special machinery, the delicate structure of sheep skin can easily become deformed.
The services of professionals are quite expensive, because the total cost of services, in addition to cleaning costs, also includes other expenses (for paperwork, warranty, staff salaries).
Unscrupulous or incompetent employees of dry cleaners and laundries often lose customers' items.
If a specialist currently has a lot of orders, the client will have to wait at least several days, or even several weeks. There is no point in sending a fur coat or hat for cleaning if you can only get it closer to spring.

Common Mistakes

To ensure that the product lasts as long as possible and maintains its original attractive appearance, you should not do the following:

place in damp areas, such as a bathroom;
spread on the floor if it is heated;
clean products using a washing vacuum cleaner;
place furniture on the fur, as there will be foot prints on the fur that cannot be removed;
use products in areas where pets have access;
wipe away stains caused by spilled liquids;
put the item away for storage, having previously wrapped it in cellophane.

The errors described above will lead to the skin losing its attractive appearance and emitting an unpleasant odor.

We remove pollution

Sheepskin can be cleaned well with a special car vacuum cleaner, which is usually used when cleaning the interior. This cleaning should be done regularly to prevent dust from getting inside the pile. Having picked up a compact vacuum cleaner and chosen a brush that is convenient for you, you can begin to return the covers to a neat appearance. The vacuum cleaner must be set to low power and low speed, otherwise the fur may be irrevocably damaged.

During the cleaning process, care must be taken to move the vacuum cleaner against the direction of hair growth, starting from the inside and ending with the ends of the pile. Such an event is held approximately once every two months, but, in general, it is necessary to be guided by the degree of contamination of the fur. Dust must be removed in a timely manner so that it does not get stuck in the fur and can be easily removed without harming the natural material.

You can get rid of dust by shaking out or easily knocking out the covers. It’s not worth making great efforts so as not to believe the structure of the fur.

Any dry cleaner will know how to clean sheepskin covers. The services of such organizations will need to be contacted once a year with an average intensity of car use. But again, you need to focus on the degree of contamination of the covers, the presence of serious stains on them, which it is not possible to deal with on your own. Dry cleaning services should not be abused, since fur from such procedures does not improve and wears out faster.

Don't even think about washing sheepskin covers. Such a rash decision can leave the covers rough or warped, and the fur faded and unattractive. Therefore, such an idea should be abandoned once and for all.

If there is slight dirt, do not immediately take the covers to the dry cleaner. To begin with, you can try to deal with it yourself. To do this, you will need to prepare a damp sponge and soap solution. The sponge is only slightly moistened in a soapy solution so that it is slightly damp, and is rubbed over the fur with light movements.

Please note that you can only wash fur in this way, but never skins. After such simple steps, the case must be dried naturally, not with a hairdryer, especially with an iron or a heater. The cover is hung or laid out on a flat surface and dries at room temperature. If such a procedure does not bring the desired result and the contamination still remains, then you will not be able to do without dry cleaning services.