How to wash sheepskin at home: is it possible in a washing machine, how to process sheepskin with your hands, how to remove stains?

Sheepskin is a natural and very warm material, which is represented by sheep skin and fur. It is used for sewing sheepskin coats, chair covers, rugs, car covers and more. It is pleasant to use such products; they give a feeling of coziness and comfort.

Like any other thing, sheepskin needs to be regularly cleaned of dust and dirt. But what to do when serious contamination appears on it? Can it be washed by machine or by hand?

How to properly care for sheepskin so that it does not mat or lose color, and how to get rid of stains? Read the article on how to wash sheepskin at home.

Is it possible?

Sheepskin can be washed either by hand or in a machine. Before you begin the procedure, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of caring for this fur product:

To remove dust and debris, shake or beat the skin well.
For better cleaning, the product is vacuumed at low power. You need to guide the brush in the direction of hair growth.
To give the coat an attractive appearance, it must be combed with a brush.
To get rid of stains, there is no need to wash the product completely. It is enough to treat the contaminated area.

You should resort to machine and hand washing as needed, but not more than once a month. Regular contact with water will make the skin rough and the fur stiff.

We remove pollution

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.

Washing sheepskin in a washing machine

Machine washing allows you to get rid of stains, lighten the fur and make it silky. To get this result you need to follow 5 rules:

Do not wash fur in hot water. Its maximum temperature is 40 degrees. If you process the product in boiling water, the wool will become matted.
Before washing, the sheepskin must be cleaned of crumbs and dust removed.
Do not use detergents containing chlorine and other aggressive components for washing. Preference should be given to gels and liquid powders.
Calculate the weight of the product. If the item is large and consists of several skins, then it should be washed in a machine with maximum load. When wet, fur increases its mass by 3-4 times.
The presence of stubborn stains is a reason for pre-soaking.

Wash the product according to the following algorithm:

Place the sheepskin in the washing net. If you don't have one on hand, you can use an old white pillowcase. This will help prevent the fur from matting.
Pour detergent into the washing machine compartment or use gel capsules.
Select a delicate wash cycle. You can install the “wool” program, or manually configure the machine. The water temperature should be 30 degrees, and the number of revolutions should be 600 per minute.
After washing is complete, remove the skin from the drum, shake it and place it on a flat surface to dry.

If powder was used for washing, then it is necessary to turn on the additional rinse mode to wash out the remaining detergent from the wool.

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. Any carpet cleaner will do
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.

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.

As you know, sheepskin is used not only for making clothes. Sheep skins are often used to decorate homes. After all, they look quite attractive and warm well. Therefore, many are interested in the best way to clean sheepskin at home.

To ensure that the need to clean your sheepskin skin arises as rarely as possible, you should properly care for it. We list a few main recommendations that will help keep the product in good condition for a long time:

Five to six times a month, the sheepskin needs to be rid of dust and small debris. To do this, you can either shake it out or thoroughly vacuum it in the direction of the fur.
It is best to get rid of dirt immediately. The faster you clean a stained surface, the greater the chance of success.
Owners of pets, with the exception of aquarium fish, should avoid interior decor using sheepskin.
About once every three months the skin should be hung outside or on a balcony for ventilation.
To ensure that the fur always looks perfect, you need to purchase a special brush for combing pets at the pet store and periodically comb the fur.

If your sheepskin hide gets dirty, you can use any of the above methods to clean it. Only in this case one nuance should be taken into account: if the contamination is small, it is better to use dry cleaning methods. For example, baking soda or a vacuum cleaner.

If more serious stains appear on the snow-white surface, it is still better to wash it with ammonia or hydrogen peroxide.

Sometimes it is not possible to properly clean sheepskin from stubborn stains. In such situations, it is allowed to wash it. To do this, you need to purchase a special detergent for washing products made from sheep wool. For example, Spiro Wool amp; Silk, EISBARCHEN, C7.

How to process manually?

You can wash sheepskin by hand. If the product is small, use a basin. The bulky skins are soaked in the bathtub.

The leather should be washed and rinsed with water at the same temperature. Its difference will cause the pile to form a ball. It will be difficult to comb through it.

Procedure:

shake off dust and dirt from the product, check the pile for stuck debris;
pour warm water into a suitable container;
dissolve liquid detergent or regular shampoo in it;
soak the skin for half an hour, periodically knead it with your hands and heat it;
after 30 minutes, the sheepskin is carefully washed; it should not be rubbed or pulled by the fur;
rinse the item - change the water until it becomes clear.

You cannot twist the skin. She is left in the bathroom until the water drains. To speed up this process, the product can be wrapped in a terry towel and lightly pressed.

Cleaning tough stains

Sometimes stubborn stains appear on sheepskin that cannot be eliminated by any of the above methods. The following products will help clean sheep fur with such stains:

Hydrogen peroxide. Great for tidying up white fur. To do this, you first need to dissolve five milliliters of the active substance in a glass of warm water. Then apply the resulting mixture to the problem area and leave until dry.
Ammonia. Allows you to clean even old dirt. First you need to mix the caustic liquid and water in a one to one ratio. Then distribute the active solution over the stained surface.
Baking soda. White powder is mainly used to add whiteness to fur products. Experienced housewives most often use this method to clean a sheepskin coat that has turned yellow. To carry out the hygiene procedure, you first need to rub soda particles into the fur and then comb it out with a stiff brush.

How to get rid of stains?

If stains appear on the sheep skin or it turns yellow, resort to the help of improvised means. They act carefully without harming the product. The fresher the stain, the easier it is to get rid of it.

Yellowness

Hydrogen peroxide is used to make wool white. To prepare the solution you will need:

1 liter of water.
2 tbsp. l. peroxide.

The solution is poured into a spray bottle and the wool is sprayed with it. Do not allow the product to come into contact with the undercoat or skin. After 10-15 minutes, the sheepskin is rinsed in warm water.

If a small area has been treated, wipe it with a damp, clean cloth.

Fat

To remove greasy stains, use baking soda or talc.

Procedure:

Sprinkle the stain with baking soda and press it down with a paper napkin.
Leave the product to act for 4 hours.
Comb out the fur with a brush or wash it.

If the stain is old, then strengthen the recipe with a small amount of dishwashing detergent. In this case, you won’t be able to do without washing.

Coffee and tea

Glycerin helps remove stains from spilled tea or coffee.

Rules for its use:

apply the product to the contaminated area;
leave for 10 minutes;
wash the item in warm water with shampoo, paying special attention to stains.

If you were unable to remove traces of drinks the first time, you can repeat the procedure without waiting for the wool to dry.

Salinity

During active use, the fur becomes greasy in certain places. You can deal with the problem without washing the skin.

Procedure:

Sprinkle the greasy area with salt.
Distribute it evenly over the skin.
Leave the salt for 2 hours.
Brush out the skin.

If the greasy shine has not been eliminated, use table vinegar diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio.

It is applied with a sponge or cotton pad . After 15 minutes, the skin is rinsed in warm water, dried and combed.

To give the sheepskin a beautiful shine, several walnut kernels are crushed, wrapped in gauze and gently moved over the wool, in the direction of its growth.

Wine

You can remove red wine stains from sheepskin using gasoline. To give it thickness and enhance the effect, starch is used.

Procedure:

the paste is applied to the fur using a sponge;
leave the product for 10 minutes;
wipe it with a cloth soaked in clean warm water.

When removing a stain, you need to move in the direction of the pile.

Review of household chemicals

Conventional detergents are not always able to remove stains or give the product its original shine. For these tasks, there are professional cleaning compositions in the form of gels, aerosols and powders. They will quickly make things clean, make the fur smooth and silky, and help avoid excessive dryness of the skin. Below are the most popular products that you can use yourself at home.

Sommieres Powder

To get rid of fresh and stubborn stains, a powder from the French brand Hussard called Terre De Sommieres is suitable. This product consists of natural ingredients and is used to remove dirt from fabric, leather, and fur. The powder does not leave streaks and does not change the color of the product.

The product is very easy to use. A little powder is poured onto the stain and left to act for several hours. After this, the remains are combed out with a brush or removed with a napkin.

Ultra Finish Milk

The Italian product can be used to clean fur of any color. Gives wool a well-groomed appearance, does not stick hairs together and protects the item from moths.

Living Licker Konz

A universal product that is used to clean leather and fur products, it simultaneously softens them and refreshes their color. It is used both in pure form and diluted with water in a 2:1 ratio. The mixture is applied to the dirt with a brush and then washed by hand or in a machine.

The product can be added to the water during washing. For 1 kg of product, take no more than 30 ml of product; for 1 liter of water, use from 10 to 30 ml. The skin is processed for no longer than 10 minutes, then carefully squeezed out and dried on a horizontal surface.

How to make the skin softer?

After improper washing, the hide may become tough. A softening solution will help correct the situation.

To prepare it you will need the following components:

Baby cream – 1 tbsp. l.
Glycerin – 1 tbsp. l.
Glass of water.

The resulting composition is applied to the inside of the sheepskin and left for 30 minutes. As the mixture is absorbed, the flesh will become softer. Vaseline and animal fat have a similar effect.

Restoring softness

After getting wet, the skin becomes rougher. Softening it is an important step in caring for sheep skins. You will have to additionally use special softening agents - Vaseline and glycerin.

The sequence of actions in such a case looks like this:

You need to take glycerin in a volume of 20 grams.
Mix with a glass of water.
The mixture is applied evenly to the skin, while slightly stretching it.

You can use Vaseline. This product in an amount of 20 grams is mixed with a liter of water and one yolk. The surface is carefully treated with the resulting composition. If you follow the instructions, the sheep skin will be clean, soft, and pleasant to the touch.

Drying rules

You need to dry sheepskin correctly. Conditions to be observed:

Lay out the product only with the fur out.
Straighten the pile with your hands and lightly fluff it with your palms.
There should be no creases or folds on the item.
During drying, the skin is periodically shaken and slightly stretched with your hands so that it does not decrease in size.
Do not place sheepskin on the radiator or near the fireplace. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
It is not recommended to hang wet skins. It deforms under its own weight.
During the drying process, the fur is combed with a brush for grooming long-haired animals. Movements must be careful. If the wool is rolled up, the bundle is disassembled manually.
Do not try to speed up the drying process with a hair dryer. Hot air deteriorates the quality of the coat, making the skin rough and tough.

You need to dry sheepskin in natural conditions: in the shade outside, or in a dry, well-ventilated room.

Care Tips

In order for the sheepskin fur to retain its fluffiness as long as possible, it must be combed. To do this, you will need to buy a special brush, which is sold in any zoological store.
When exposed to sunlight, the fur may fade. This applies not only to sheepskin, but also to any other natural fur. Exposure to high temperatures is also undesirable, as the sheepskin will dry out and become brittle and stiff. These features should be taken into account when drying the covers; hang them in a dry, cool and dark room. When the covers are in the car, the sun's rays do not harm them, since the glass provides ultraviolet protection. Sheepskin is not afraid of moisture, but this does not mean that it can be left wet.
Storing sheepskin covers in cellophane is unacceptable. This fur must breathe. It is better to purchase a bag for storing them, made from natural material.
There are two ways to get rid of dirt. Wait until it dries and brush it out with the brush we already talked about above. If it doesn’t help, then take a sponge and soap solution in your hands.
If grease gets on the fur, it is necessary to treat the area of contamination with gasoline, first applying it to a clean cloth or sponge. After wiping the fur with gasoline, you will need to treat the area of contamination with a damp cloth and dry the cover. The skin cannot be processed in any way and must not be exposed to moisture.

If you follow all these recommendations and take proper care of your covers, they will serve you for many years and will delight you with their beautiful appearance.

Sheepskin is a popular material with a wide range of applications. Sheep skins are used to make fur coats, collars for insulated outerwear, home rugs, capes and car seat covers. For many peoples, an indispensable attribute of clothing is a sheepskin hat.

Over time, the question of cleaning dirty white skin inevitably arises. The purification of this material has a number of features. If you decide to get rid of dirt on a sheepskin product, you can use dry cleaning services, or you can do it at home, having first studied the information on how to clean sheepskin.

When is dry cleaning necessary?

Dust and fresh stains can be easily washed off yourself. If there are complex contaminants on the wool, then it will not be possible to do without the help of professionals.

The longer the stain remains on the product, the harder it is to remove . Dry cleaning will help you get rid of traces of blood, cosmetics, fuel oil and more. Cleaners will remove all dirt, wash the skin, dry it and comb it.

Before handing over an item to dry cleaning, you need to clarify the cost of the work and obtain a sealed contract. It must specify all the conditions under which the product is accepted for laundry, as well as in what condition the item was received, and what result should be expected.

You need to pay for the service only upon its provision. The average cost of dry cleaning sheep skins measuring 1 square. m. is about 1800 rubles. The final price depends on the complexity of the work performed.

Important Tips

Each owner of a sheep's skin should take into account the following information:

You need to wash sheepskin in a machine separately from other things;
Do not dry the product in the bathroom;
if the floor is heated, then the skin is not spread on it;
Do not use a wet product;
It is prohibited to process sheepskin with a washing vacuum cleaner.

If after washing the product emits an unpleasant odor, the procedure must be repeated. It is a consequence of inadequate drying of the item and water decay.

Additionally, you can treat the wool with baking soda mixed with a small amount of essential oil. It is applied to the skin, left for a day, after which it is shaken off and the fur is combed out.

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.