How to Wash Sheepskin

A lambskin or sheepskin is a natural product that can only be specially cleaned. How to wash a lambskin is explained here!

Cleaning lambskin/sheepskin: You must pay attention to this!

• Genuine lambskin or sheepskin is characterized by a natural layer of fat that is broken down during washing. Therefore, the fur should only be washed if it cannot be avoided.
• Basically: Don’t put the lambskin in the washing machine. The washing machine is only the last resort!

Washing sheepskin by hand: That’s how it works!

If the stains are minor, it is best to hand wash the stains only with a little wool detergent and lukewarm water. Make sure that the coat does not soak through and the leather does not get wet.

For coarser soiling:

1. Let water into a bathtub: The temperature should be 20 to 30 degrees.
2. If necessary, add a few drops of baby oil to soften the sheepskin. Soak the fur in the bathtub for half an hour.
3. Then add fur cleaner (alternatively wool detergent) to the water and wash the fur by hand.
4. Rinse sheepskin thoroughly with fresh water afterwards.
5. Do not express the coat too strongly, otherwise it may be damaged.
6. Hang up the coat and let it dry. Pull again and again in form! Additionally, make sure that the coat is well ventilated and avoid sunlight. Attention: Never use a dryer or hairdryer and never hang up the sheepskin near a heater!

Removing stains

• Blood stains on the sheepskin can be removed with the help of aspirin. To do this, simply put an aspirin tablet in cold water and then dab the liquid on with a white cotton cloth.
• Red wine stains can be cleaned with a white cotton cloth and carbonated mineral water. Dab the soaked cloth only on the stains and do not rub!
• Dried-in stains, for example from food waste, can usually be removed with a special sheepskin or harrow brush.

Sheepskin: care after washing

The leather of the coat requires additional care, otherwise it will quickly become brittle. If you treat it with a little milking grease or baby oil after washing, it remains supple.

Washing sheepskin in the washing machine

A machine wash destroys the look of the sheepskin considerably: The leather hardens and the hair becomes matted! So you should only use this step if it is really necessary.

Attention: Only skins that are medically or herbal tanned may be washed in the washing machine! What kind of tanning took place can be seen from the leather and coat color:

• Vegetable tanning: White fur; leather has the color of rosewood.
• Medical tanning: Leather and fur appear yellowish.
• Tanning with salts: Coat retains its natural color, leather is light. A sheepskin with this tanning must not be put in the washing machine!

Vegetable or medically tanned lamb or sheepskin:

1. Set the washing machine to 30 degrees and use a detergent with lanolin. Do not use fabric softener!
2. Remove excess water in the spinning cycle.
3. Hang up the fur afterwards (pay attention to the recommendations at “Washing sheepskin by hand”, point 6).
4. Pull the fur again and again in form until it is dry.
5. If the sheepskin has become matted, use a fur brush.